SACRISTON became the new leaders of the NTSL when they were the only club to squeeze a victory out of another weather blighted weekend, and they now have a golden opportunity to claim their first ever title and end Swalwell’s four-year domination of the league.
Leaders at the start of the day, Swalwell were in total control of their home game against Chopwell with the visitors standing on 129-9 after 41.1 overs before a premature end was called to proceedings. Nicky Phillips was once again the Swalwell cheerleader with a five wicket haul, only John Meadows (52) standing in the way of an earlier conclusion to the innings.
That wash out left Swalwell with just nine points to show for their efforts, and Sacriston’s defeat of Ashington took them eight points clear with just two games left to play.
It’s been a season of struggle for the Colliers, and they had difficulty coping with the all-round skills of the Sacriston attack in which Kendal Ballard (3-16) and Ryan Moralee (3-29) stood out. Set just 114 to win the home team didn’t pass up the chance and raced to an eight wicket success inside 17 overs.
The rest of the matches in the league tended to be ‘half-way houses’. Neil Killeen cracked an unbeaten 92 from 96 balls at Shotley Bridge, but with Annfield Plain standing on 169-5 after 40 overs the rain took over.
It was a similar story at Percy Main where they didn’t get out after tea. By that time Tynedale had posted 237-4, an opening partnership of 135 between Gary Hunter (70) and Dave Newton (62) the main feature.
There was a bit of controversy at Lanchester where the home team racked up 199-5 in a 32 overs per side match, Nathan Hudson starring with 91. Newcastle City were then 174-6 after 31 overs, but the umpires called time and a draw resulted, something that upset the home team as delays had been caused by the late arrival of the visitors for the match.
And the weather played a crucial role at the top of the Northumberland League where Blue Flames took over at the top after managing to take two more points from their game than Bedlington did from theirs, thus reversing league positions with the Flames now holding the one point advantage.
The Terriers managed 42 overs in their match against Bomarsund, with Sean McAfferty making his first century for the club as he powered his side to a score of 247-4. McAfferty cracked 18 fours and 4 sixes in his brilliant 135 and was given great support by Darren Leason (72no).
Blue Flames’ game at Berwick was in a fascinating state – the border boys had been bowled out for 151 with Keith Brown picking up a five wicket haul, but then the Flames were flickering on 125-6 after Scott Middlemist bagged 3-9 in 10 overs before play finally ended after 32.4 second innings overs.
Alnmouth were the day’s only winners, trouncing Corbridge by eight wickets. Robin Tudor (4-24) and Ben Oliver (3-17) reduced Corbridge to 109 all out, and then Ian Pearson blasted 3 sixes and 7 boundaries in a blistering 63 as Alnmouth cruised home in 19.2 overs.
Clara Vale could well have been on the way to a crucial victory at Bates Cottages. They bowled their hosts out for 108 with Riaz Mohammed (4-36) and Mohammed Saqib (3-31) doing the damage. But before the Vale got the chance to chase down the runs for a win that could have thrown them a relegation life line, the rains came down.
