Regional cricket preview

Sep 20 2008 by Chris West, The Journal

TEAMS in the Three Counties Northumberland League have the stage to themselves today as they end their league programme with a full set of fixtures.

Of course, that assumes they are able to get on the field – after two weeks of complete washouts the waterlogging remains so severe at some grounds that many clubs were despondent in midweek about the prospects of play today.

For Corbridge the equation is simple – a win at Blyth will guarantee them their first Premier Division title. The home team are relegated with their sights firmly set on bouncing back next season, but the bad news for their visitors was that Blyth felt today’s game was ‘very very doubtful’ as the ground was still underwater last Tuesday with further rain expected.

If it does go ahead the hosts will be without Andy Clark and Jimmy Purvis, with Robin Palmer and Gary Purvis drafted in. Corbridge have a couple of absentees with Dean Robinson and John Davidson unavailable. Simon Walker and Tristan Douglas stand in.

Waiting in the wings for any slip up or an abandonment are second-placed Alnmouth who indicated their pitch was ‘very wet’ but have the chance to work on it themselves for their home game with Kirkley.

Alnmouth’s main problem may be on the field as they are struggling for numbers, with Tom Vickers, Ian Clough, Ian Pearson and Ben Oliver out, and Richard Neil doubtful. Replacements include Shaun Hutchinson and Graham McDonald with three juniors expected to make up numbers.

The other team in the reckoning, Stocksfield, have a lot to do if they are to nick the title – as well as the twelve-point deficit to make up they have to take on the current form team, Clara Vale, who are at full strength. The news from Vale is that they will play if possible, but it wasn’t looking good earlier in the week as no work had been done on the ground since the floods of the September 6.

Bates Cottages, now safe from the drop, should get a game if the weather holds up, but they go into their final fling at home to Blue Flames with a very under-strength side as skipper Lee Frost, Andrew Lamb, Richard Kilner and Fiaz Ahmed are all out. For the Flames injury rules out Bob Tulip and Andrew Horner, while Mark Moody and Richard Chapman are unavailable.

In today’s other games Bomarsund take on Bedlington, but hopes were not high the ground would be fit, while Warkworth entertain relegated Heaton Park.

Today should, at long last, witness the playing of the Tyneside Charity Bowl Final, the match to take place at the Tynedale ground with a 1.30pm start. Shotley Bridge have been through to the final for some time but the semi-final between Benwell Hill and Percy Main has been subject to 10 abandonments.

That game was due for another attempt last night. But it did not go ahead again, with Percy Main deciding to concede.

So, with the Tynedale ground fit for play there should definitely be a cricket final to be watched.

Following victory last Sunday in the Cockspur 20/20 Cup North of England Finals Day held at their ground, South Northumberland have progressed through to the first National Twenty20 Finals Dday for ECB PL clubs.

Finals Day will be held on Sunday, September 28 in Cardiff and will follow a similar format to the First-Class counties’ Finals Day with two semi-finals followed by the final played in the evening under lights. The event will take place at the SWALEC Stadium.

South North captain John Graham said: “It is a great achievement by the players and the club to make it through to another national final having won at Lord’s two years ago.

“We have a really competitive squad of players for Twenty20 cricket and will be going down to Cardiff with plenty of confidences.”

Details for spectators wishing to travel to Cardiff will be announced by the club over the next couple of days once final arrangements have been confirmed.

In the meantime the club is looking for a sponsor for the Finals Day, featuring their logo on the front of the special edition playing shirt. For a total of £750, sponsorship would provide some great publicity, with the games being shown live on Sky Sports. Any interested sponsors should contact Mark Foster on (0191) 246 1743 or email mark.foster@southnorth.co.uk.