Northumberland Leagues
Jul 26 2010 The Journal
SHOTLEY Bridge crashed to a second consecutive NTSL defeat, and with Swalwell playing like champions it is beginning to look ominously like a fourth title in a row.
A ten-game unbeaten run to start the season has been followed by three defeats in five matches for the Bridge, their latest reverse coming at the hands of Chopwell in a game that swung frantically back and forth.
At one time Chopwell stood on 73-0 as Dave Anderson and Anthony Hornby (45) gave them the perfect start, but six wickets were lost for the addition of just 17 runs so the final total of 155 represented something of a recovery. Anderson carried his bat for an unbeaten 75, which included 11 fours and a six, but even so Phil Brown’s burst of 5-27 looked to have put Bridge in total control.
But Shotley ran into trouble themselves as they slumped to 47-5 before Peter Collingwood looked to be working a miracle as he eased his side back into the game. However, match winner Dan Owen trapped him lbw to close with figures of 6-31 as Bridge finished 11 runs short on 144. Remarkably Collingwood, who made 91, was the only batsman to reach double figures.
Ian Pattison (60 and 3-35) was Swalwell’s inspiration as he emphasised the gap between his team and opponents Ashington who finished 121 runs short. The victory took Swalwell 21 points clear with just seven games remaining.
At least the Colliers had the satisfaction of seeing their own league position improve as the five points they gleaned from the defeat was one more than partners in distress, Leadgate, who were the latest to feel the full force of the Killeen factor at Annfield Plain.
Killeen (4-28 and 81no) proved too potent as the Plain won by seven wickets after knocking off 150, Shane Oliver their other star with a five-wicket haul.
Lintz remain firmly rooted to the foot of the table, their latest reverse coming at Morpeth where they lost by five wickets, but Sacriston did themselves a power of good with a 39-runs home win over Lanchester in which Martin Hubber (82 and 7-69) reigned supreme.
In the day’s final game Richard Darling took seven wickets for Tynedale to bowl Percy Main out for just 83 – 113 runs short of the visitors total.
In the Northumberland Premier League a win for Warkworth, and a defeat for Alnmouth, re-established the formidable 77-point gap between first and second that suggests the title race is all but run.
Some fine bowling from Michael Telford (4-36) suggested Bates Cottages could be in with a chance at Warkworth, but Dan Younger (47) helped ease the leaders’ score up to 221-8 which gave Chris Younger (4-11) something to work with – Bates bowled out for 131 in 36 overs.
Blyth were the undoing of Alnmouth who fell for 122 after being set 171 to win. On a day when the ball generally dominated it was the home pairing of Mark Lawrence (4-20) and David Dent (4-39) who proved the most incisive to scupper any faint hopes the visitors had of a late charge.
The battle to avoid relegation intensified as Berwick defeated Blagdon Park by 65 runs to ease their own concerns, and Blue Flames moved clear with a home win over Clara Vale.
Corbridge slumped into the bottom two after their home reverse against Stocksfield, while Kirkley are now glancing anxiously over their shoulder following a 79-run hammering by Bedlington.
