Second Team
2008 Review
After a promising 2007 season, 2008 proved to be the "stiffs’" most successful season to date. The team strengthened in the winter with the addition of left arm spinner Chris Campbell from Leeds and the welcome return from injury of opening bowler Simon West. We entered April full of optimism and a 5 wicket win on the opening day of the season at home to Sunderland suggested that this view was justified.
The team was unbeaten in May recording victories over Norton, Benwell Hill, Blaydon, Gateshead Fell and Newcastle and a winning draw away to South Shields, where we saw the batting potential of 16 yr old John Harbottle who scored his maiden century for The Bull(106). At the end of May we were sitting pretty at the top of the league.
June however was not so good as the famous ‘mid season choke’ reared its ugly head! We were well beaten by Tynemouth, Stockton and Chester-le-street principally due to some poor batting performances but with other results going in our favor we remained top of the league but in need of improvement
July saw the skipper away on marital duties with Simon West deputizing as the rain began to fall culminating in wash outs against Sunderland and Gateshead Fell and a losing draw in a rain affected fixture at home to Norton. Thankfully we returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory against Benwell Hill.
We started the business end of the season’ with a wash out at Blaydon but followed this with back to back wins against South Shields and Newcastle which saw us strengthen our position at the top. We entered the Bank Holiday weekend knowing that one victory would secure us the title. In customary style, we made it difficult for ourselves by under performing in a spicy game against Stockton on the Saturday and defeat on the Monday at Tynemouth. Knowing that we had a "free" weekend last game of the season we needed to take 30 points from Chester at home and then hope for a miracle the following week. For the first time all season the league was out of our hands. We batted first and scored 280, with the skipper weighing in with 94 and Chester le Street were all out for 220 with Chris Campbell taking 7-34. 30 points achieved. We were 12 points ahead with no game the following Saturday. The weather turned in our favor once again with torrential rain all week and no fixtures being played thus crowning us league champions for the 2nd time in 4 years.
For the first time in many season ‘The Stiffs’ had a successful cup run. We have reached the final of the Roseworth Cup which due to the bad weather will be played in 2009. We recorded victories over Sunderland, Newcastle and Norton to set up the final of the Banks Salver versus Tynemouth at The Bull Ring. Batting first, we were indebted to John "Pongo" Hammill who smashed a brilliant 78 when we were struggling at 100-5. We finished on 238 off our 45 overs. Tynemouth lost wickets at crucial times and were bowled out for 110. League and cup double in the bag!
A sterling effort by all the boys - congratulations to you all. A special mention to Michael Smalley who was crowned 2nd Team League Player of the Year at the annual league dinner. This year it was our bowlers who deserve a lot of the credit with 5 of them, Chris Campbell, John Harbottle, John Hammill, Simon West and MVP - Michael Smalley being in the top 10 of the league averages. The batting again relied heavily on Howard Sidney Wilmot, Michael Smalley and Tom Seymour.
Special and sincere thanks to groundsman John Dodds who’s tenacity and expertise ensured that games which could have been called off, got played - top work. Thanks also go to Jimmy Ruddick our reliable and expensive scorer - keep up the good work!
Bring on 2009!
Tom Seymour
Stiffs skipper
