It was another disappointing weekend for the 1st XI as they lost heavily (by 163 runs) to fellow strugglers Seaham Harbour at NBMS Denton Bank, however the 2nd XI recorded an excellent 6 wicket win away to Whitburn. A young NTCL 3rd XI couldn't repeat their early season win over Newcastle Super Kings, as they lost by 110 runs. Read on for match reports and scorecards.
NEPL Premier Division - 1st XI v Seaham Harbour (h) - Lost by 163 runs - Match report by Phil Haves
Belly won the toss and asked our visitors, Seaham Harbour, to bat first. As has been the pattern in recent games Ben got us off to another good start with the ball taking 2 early wickets including that of the dangerous Jack Burnham as the visitors were reduced to 25/2. A partnership of 113 between Shurben and Allan took the visitors ahead of the game until debutant Ayush dismissed the visitors opener for 67. Ayush also took the wicket of Allan for 81. Lee continued his good run of recent form with the ball finishing with 4-47 from 13 overs as Seaham were bowled out for 243 in the 52nd over.
In reply our start to the innings could not have got off to a worse start as Rory and Dave were both dismissed without a run on the board. This soon became 9/4 then 27/5 as Morgan, Sam and Ayush were dismissed cheaply. Belly who offered the only resistance was unluckily stumped for 27 and with Ben unable to bat due to a dislocated figure we were dismissed for 80.
A disappointing result against one of our rivals fighting for survival leaves us firmly in the relegation places. We go again on Saturday with a visit to Ropery Lane to play Chester le Street.
NEPL 1st XI Scorecard v Seaham Harbour (h)
NEPL Division 2 - 2nd XI v Whitburn - Won by 6 wickets
The 2's continued there good form with an excellent 6 wicket win away at the Village Ground Whitburn.
Skipper Joe Fletcher won the toss and inserted the home team, and depsite a decent start of 43-0 and 77-2, the Hill pace bowlers blew away the middle and low orders to skittle the home team out for 111 all out in the 38th over. Joe was the top bowler with 5 for 26 in 11 overs, Michael Mac took 2 for 12 in 8 overs. Abu, Nazif and Pete the other wicket takers with 1 each.
In reply we lost 2 quick wickets, but a 3rd wicket stand of 95 between Joe Fletcher (53) and Adam Heather (23 not out) helped us get over the line in the 32nd over for the loss of 4 wickets.
Despite the win we remain in 4th position, with a tricky game against league leaders Chester le Street to come on Saturday at NBMS Denton Bank.
NEPL 2nd XI Scorecard v Whitburn (a)
NTCL Division 5 South - 3rd XI v Newcastle Super Kings (a) - Lost by 110 runs - Captain's Match Report by Chris Pounder
A disappointing day in a game we could have put a bit of daylight between ourselves and the bottom three. Losing the toss we were asked to field first and a number of dropped catches would cost us dear as Super Kings finished on 204/5. One wicket each for Haroon, Nirmit, Gabe and the skipper with one run out.
In reply only Naveed (21) and Nirmit (17) managed to reach double figures and we were eventually all out for 94
NTCL 3rd XI Scorecard v Newcastle Super Kings (a)
