Northumberland Leagues

Jul 19 2008 by Chris West, The Journal

PERCY Main’s popular professional Mohtashim Ali wrote his name into the Wellstream Northumberland and Tyneside League record books last weekend when he made a blistering 134 against Alnwick.

He had needed 132 before the start of the game to reach the landmark of 1,000 league runs and when he achieved the feat he did so earlier than anyone in NTSL history – and in fewer innings. Moh’s knock was only the eleventh time he had ventured to the crease. The previous record holder, Burnopfield’s Imran Abbas, needed 14 attempts to achieve the feat.

More importantly for the player, he is spearheading his club’s drive for an immediate return to the top flight and Cowgate will be the latest to face the mighty Moh’s blade this afternoon. In the top division Ian Pattison’s influence on the all-conquering Swalwell side is easy to see – he lies second in the batting averages while topping the bowling list.

He has plenty colleagues to back him up with Lloyd Anderson just seven runs away from being the division’s top run scorer, and Marcus Peart and Nicky Phillips joining Pattison in the top eight bowling rankings. Peart returns to the Swalwell line-up for today’s game at Leadgate. The hosts will be unchanged.

Second-placed Shotley Bridge also have a glut of players in the batting list, with Phil Brown, Phil Carlin and Peter Collingwood all having impressive aggregates. But Bridge’s lack of cutting edge with the ball is highlighted by the fact that Aman Dhindsa tops the Bridge bowlers down in 13th place.

Bridge’s opponents today, Annfield Plain, boast the division’s leading wicket-taker in Saqib Khan. John and David Newstead return to the Plain team.

Beleaguered Backworth entertain Newcastle City while Benwell and Walbottle face a tough trip to Ryton, although they do welcome back Richard Waddell.

Lintz are missing four regulars at Tynedale, with Michael Edmunds, Andrew Smith, David Nevin and Anthony Ward all out, but Sacriston have Ian Jones and Ben Hall back for their home match with Ashington who include young batsman Callum Urwin.

There can be no doubting the match of the day in the Three Counties Northumberland League as leaders Warkworth travel to take on the team they replaced at the top, Bedlington.

The new leaders do have problems with leading batsman Michael Sewell out for two or three weeks after breaking his finger and wicket-keeper Eric Hall and spinner Stevie Lee also missing. Martin Paminter, who has just recovered from a finger break, takes over Sewell’s batting spot, while Brian Doyle provides decent cover.

The Terriers will be intent on regaining the title of top dogs and they welcome back Graham Watson and Nicky Carr, although Nicky Douglas is unavailable.

Kirkley and Corbridge have their own private battle to sort out. They are locked together in the table with identical records, 10 points behind Warkworth. Corbridge will have to do without Derek Robinson but they do have key players Andy Dover and Mike Catton returning.

Blue Flames travel to Heaton Park dreaming of barging their way into the championship battle after last week’s convincing win over Corbridge. Neil Hurren and possibly David Marshall are back although Chris Chan and Andy Horner are unavailable. The home side are unchanged.

In the day’s other games Alnmouth entertain a Blyth, Bomarsund tackle Clara Vale and Stocksfield take on Bates Cottages.