Northumberland Leagues Review

Apr 28 2008 by Chris West, The Journal

THERE was no doubting the game of the day in the Wellstream Northumberland &Tyneside Senior League as champions Swalwell made the trip to runners-up Tynedale for a block-busting opening fixture.

Stuart Graham’s impressive 83 included five fours and two sixes, and with Simon Prudhoe (40) opening up with Neil Clark (27) the hosts threatened a big score. But Nicky Phillips (3-57) and Ian Pattison (3-33) kept a decent grip on the scoring rate and Tynedale were held to 190-7.

Lloyd Anderson then made light of the target as he rattled up 86 runs in an innings that included nine boundaries, three of which were sixes. With vital support from Stuart Pattison (37) and Phillips (24no) the title holders were able to get their defence underway with a five-wicket success.

New boys Ryton immediately took to life in the top flight as they defeated one of last year’s front runners, Lintz, by four wickets. Trevor Wilson with 66 and Ryan McVitie with 38 put the visitors on the way to a decent looking 175-6, and with Ryton losing six wickets with only 80 on the board the game looked done and dusted. But a marvellous unbroken seventh wicket century stand between Richard Brooks (50no) and Farukh Iqbal (45no) secured a memorable first-day success.

Another team to turn on the style were Sacriston who saw off visitors Newcastle City by eight wickets. Ben Hall and Graham Hubber took three wickets each as City folded for 135, and then Aussie Travis King flayed the opposition attack, making 80 before having to retire with cramp.

Ashington were another team quickly out of the blocks. Very few wickets fell at Langwell Crescent as visitors Benwell & Walbottle put on 185-3 in their overs, a total that held no terrors for the Colliers as Mark Levinson opened out with 59, and then Ben Harmison (39) and Greg Williams (32no) ensured there were no alarms in a five-wicket success.

There was a century for Phil Brown as Shotley Bridge saw off Leadgate by 75 runs. Brown carried his bat for 106 and Bridge posted a score of 204. Aman Dhindsa and Phil Carlin then took four wickets apiece to complete an impressive victory. Newly-promoted Backworth found life tough as Annfield Plain defeated them by five wickets, Sri Lankan pro Lasith Fernando grabbing five wickets on his debut.

Stocksfield became the early leaders of the fledgling Three Counties Northumberland League Premier Division table as they hammered Heaton Park by nine wickets. Alex Brown topped the league bowling averages last term, and he continued where he left off by claiming 5-30 as Park were dismissed for just 100.

There was also a scorching start for Blue Flames as they knocked off 156 at Corbridge, with Scott Neeson starring with a tremendous unbeaten 98. New boys Bomarsund started life in the top flight in impressive fashion as they won their home game with Bates Cottages by 21 runs after Stephen Thain and Gary Mordey set them on the way to 181, each hitting half centuries. Mordey then returned the best bowling figures of 3-32 as Bates faded badly after a promising start.

Clara Vale’s influx of new players couldn’t stop them sliding to a three-wicket defeat by Kirkley in a low-scoring game, Chris Mason picking up five wickets for the winners and Andrew Miller four for the Vale.

Andy Clarke hit 63 for Blyth but couldn’t prevent Bedlington getting off to a winning start as a useful all-round team effort took them to a two-wicket success. Mark Robson was another half centurion and with Dougie Potts supporting him with 43.

Warkworth put on an imposing 196 before dismissing visitors Alnmouth & Lesbury for 145, Potts adding three wickets to his runs and Billy Pringle taking 4- 21.