Inclement weather hit for the first time this season over the weekend, with all games rain affected, however the 2nd's managed to dodge the showers slightly better than the 1st's and NTCL 3rd's (both abandoned), as they recorded a hige win against fellow strugglers Whitburn. On Sunday the NEPL 3rd's eventually got started but lost heavily to a strong Chester le Street side, read on for all the info,
NEPL Division 1 - 1st XI v Whitburn (a) - Match Abandoned - Match Report by Phil Haves
As predicted by the weather forecast rain hit the North East on Saturday and our game at Whitburn was abandoned due to the weather following the end of the First Innings.
The day started in a strange manner with the non appearance of Sam which we later found out was as the result of a Friday evening ‘incident’. An emergency call was put out for Warren to be sent down in an Uber as soon as possible. As Belly had won the toss it was necessary for John Harding to make his first appearance in a Hill shirt sub fielding pending the arrival of Warren.
After the Pro had taken the early wicket of Henderson, a partnership of 55 in quick time between Turner and Abdy put the home side in a position to push on to a big score. With the score on 77 Max dismissed Abdy and things turned in our favour and 4 wickets fell for the addition of only 13 as Lee began a 15 over spell that yielded 4-58. Although a 50 partnership between Bittlestone and May steadied the ship slightly Callum returned to the attack and along with Warren wrapped up the hosts innings taking the last 3 wickets for only 2 runs. We were left with 64 overs to knock off the 187 runs required for the win.
Unfortunately after few false starts the weather turned out to be the winner on the day as the game was finally abandoned just before 6pm.
Following a mid week cup tie at Blagdon Park we return to NBMS Denton Bank on Saturday when we entertain Gateshead Fell.
1st XI NEPL Scorecard v Whitburn (a)
NEPL Division 2 - 2nd XI v Whitburn (h) - Won by 2 wickets - Captains Report by Pete Jones
The day started with late team change that saw Poxon posted to Whitburn by Uber. He was replacing the 1st team's opening bowler whose penchant for pugilim saw him fall foul of the constabulary on the night before. As far as excuses for Saturday morning no shows go, it's certainly novel.
With wet weather on its way we were fortunate to win the toss and bowl. Things continued to go to plan as we bowled nicely either side of a rain break to see Whitburn slip to 49-5. It was especially pleasing to see Abu make a return to bowling after having knee problems. After a second rain break Whitburn had 11 overs left and managed to post 138-8 from thier 48 overs.
Plans started to go awry early in our chase. At 8-3 138 seemed a much tougher prospect. At this point vice captain Robson, promoted up the order in the absence of Poxon, started a vital innings of 49 from 93 balls that went a long way towards getting us back in the game. When Jake fell, leaving us on 96-6 talk was of aiming for the winning draw and making sure not to loose as the required rate went above a run a ball in a game that had mostly gone at 3s. Some great running and clean hitting from Hutt and Armstrong started to allow some hope. The win was sealed by Jones and Hynd who pushed the fielders hard to get the 8 runs required from the final over to seal a much needed win.
2nd XI NEPL Scorecard v Whitburn (h)
NTCL Divison 5 West - 3rd XI v Stamfordham (h) - Match Abandoned
Saturday's NTCL 3’s game ended up being abandoned with the game finely poised with the visitors at 80 for 4 after 27 overs. Seb Fletcher-Woods (2 wickets), Kaushal Haliyadde and Taylor Matthews (! each) the wicket takers.
We go again next weekend away to Riding Mill.
3rd XI NTCL Scorecard v Stamfordham (h)
NEPL Sunday Division 1 - 3rd XI v Chester le Street (h) - Lost by 9 wickets - Matty Hynd's Captains Report
After winning the toss and electing to bat on a wet subday afternoon the 3rd XI were well beaten by a strong CLS team.
The early rain made the wicket slightly tougher than usual to bat on with some tight bowling from Haswell. Only 2 of the top 6 hitting double figures we were under pressure at 63/6. Freddie Mexter came in and hit a quick 13 before being unlucky to be caught and bowled. Matt and Daniel Hynd then batted out the final overs adding 31 for the 9th wicket as we finished 118/8 which always looked light.
CLS started aggressively and the ball didn't go to hand. Ayush removed the opener but CLS were scoring freely. With one eye on the weather CLS knocked the runs off on only 14.4 overs for 1 wicket.
A heavy defeat against a very strong side and at half way we've won 3 and lost 4. Next week we play Newcastle whete we hope to get back to winning ways and pick up the first double of the season.
