Northumberland Leagues

Jun 29 2009 The Journal

WITH both Swalwell and Shotley Bridge stalled by the weather, a new kid appeared on the Wellstream NTSL championship chasing block in the shape of Sacriston.

The games at Ryton, where Swalwell were due, Percy Main, who were entertaining Bridge, and Ashington, where Morpeth were the visitors, all succumbed to the previous day’s downpours which left the grounds unfit for any play.

And Sacriston took full advantage of this inactivity by romping to a 92-run home win over Lintz. Gordon Muchall made a rare appearance for the home club, and played a vital part in the win with a classy 62 which eventually proved to be easily the highest score in the match.

Sacriston ended on 199 for 8, and then Melvyn Betts (3-18) and Muchall (3-31) led the charge to victory as the visitors folded for 107.

The win moved Sacriston to within 14 points of Swalwell, and four of Shotley Bridge.

When Tynedale were dismissed for just 140 it looked all up for the Hexham outfit, but then some brilliant bowling left Annfield Plain in disarray as the visitors rattled up an 87-run win.

Anoop Pai (4 for 24) and Graham Carr (3 for 38) were anything but plain for Annfield as they shot the visitors out in just 39.4 overs.

But then Barry Stewart and Richie Darling proved almost unplayable as Plain crumbled to 53 all out in 28.1 overs. Both Stewart and Darling bowled 12 overs each, Darling conceding just 13 runs in picking up three wickets, but Stewart filled his boots to end with the superb figures of 6 for 29 to lift Tynedale into fourth place.

Lee Murray was in mint condition for Leadgate, his spell of 5 for 15 rolling Benwell & Walbottle over for just 87.

Earlier, his team had found it a struggle against Kamran Mansoor (5-29), but limped up to 150-9, which was to prove more than enough.

In Division A2, Lanchester remained firmly on course for promotion with Paul Underwood once again in scintillating form hitting an unbeaten 130 as his team plundered 272 for 1 off the Seaton Burn attack to set up a 95-run win.

With Chopwell’s game at Cowgate washed out, Lanchester ended the day as joint leaders.

Tom Vickers and Ian Pearson were the power behind the Alnmouth throne in the SG Wealth Management Northumberland League, as they led the champions to a tight 21-run win over visitors Blagdon Park.

Vickers cracked a superb 83, and with Pearson also passing the half-century mark, the opening stand set the tone for the home side’s impressive score of 224.

But Russell Hughes was not to be outdone as he started Park’s run chase in the best of fashions with an opening 79.

However, Robin Tudor reigned supreme with a princely five wickets for just 46 runs, Park ending their battling performance on 203 for 7.

The only other game to see the light of day in the Premier Division was at Berwick where visitors Kirkley scraped home with just two wickets to spare. Davey Walton spearheaded the Kirkley attack with a burst of 4 for 29 that put the home side on the back foot.

And despite some battling late efforts from James Patterson (28) and John Simmons (23), Berwick were left with just 131 to defend.

But defend it they nearly did as Simmons turned on his bowling skills with 4 for 31, Kirkley eventually indebted to an unbeaten 23 from number nine bat Craig Johnson for getting them past the winning post.

With just the two matches played, Alnmouth’s win took them 29 points clear and looking in excellent shape to successfully defend their title.

CHRIS WEST