The 2008 season has been the most challenging for Hayley and I so far.  Selecting a team for each match with so many players to choose from would be a dream for most other clubs! Yet again we have gone from strength to strength both on and off the pitch, training has been well attended, and people’s enthusiasm and desire to win is thriving.

Its brilliant to see so many of the youngsters coming through the ranks and this year the 1st team were able to call upon the young shoulders of, Clairwen Richards, Izzy Wright , Hannah Gordon, Laura Pearson, and Roshy Ali who all demonstrated their incredible talent and ability as future stars of South North.

Following our victory at the season opening tournament, the league got under way with a win over Stocksfield 2nds and Lucy Dixon stole the show with a great opening knock of 100. Next came new team Hexham Leazes.  Ami Campbell 75* Hayley Falla 72 and Caroline Jamieson 29* set the opposition a difficult chase of 218. With Izzy’s heroic bowling figures of 5-4, we reduced the visitors to 51 all out in just 11 overs.  With two more victories over Wylam and Ashington we were comfortably sitting at the top of the table.

8^th July v Greenside; after a shaky start and a couple of early wickets, Ali Oldam 39* and Caroline 27 steadied the ship, getting South North to 111/4. Then came something special! Roshy’s star performance and bowling figures 3/0/9/5 including a hatrick not only reduced Greenside to 28 all out in just 11 overs, but sent her to the top of the bowling performances in the league this year.

Another win over Stocksfield 2nds, and more Kevin Pieterson style antics from Ali 27, Ami 41 and Hayley 46* meant we were 153/2. Naomi Peck, Clairwen and Laura Ashworth displaying our skills with the ball and keeping the opposition to just 62/5, and a victory of 109 runs for us!

An impressive 7 wicket victory over arch rivals and our closest title contenders Stocksfield 1^st, was a great reflection of the hard work we have put in off the pitch and showed off the true team spirit South North have become known for, with every player making a valid contribution to our sweet success that night!  Ami, Naomi, Hayley and Clairwen been the key bowlers and a brilliant run out by Claire Hopkins meant we had Stocksfield 68 for 1 off 18 overs.  Ali, Ami and Hayley all sharing the success of the batting meant we reached the target in just 11 overs for the loss of 1.  No doubt the match that determined the outcome of the league.

Then came the rain and a string of matches called off, eventually we managed to get play under way against Wylam, bowling them out in 15 overs and been set a target of just 36, proved pretty easy for Hayley 19* and Ami 18* to knock them off in just 3 overs.  There was big celebrations in the changing room afterwards as we knew we’d managed to secure top spot for 2008 season!

A few thank you’s to finish with. Hayley Falla for been an absolute rock for me this season; Claire Hopkins for also been a rock for me this season. Claire’s hard work behind the scenes for the 1^st and 2^nd team as well as looking after the U15’s doesn’t go unnoticed and proves what a key part of the South North set up she is with the team selecting her as their players player choice this year.  Kirsty Balfour, Vicky Threadgold and Carol Nourse for great work as the 2^nd team captain and vice’s; Ali Oldam as chair of the committee; Jean Pearson, Richard Gordon and Di Richards for their scoring and umpiring skills; Martin Speight for his brilliant efforts coaching us; John Dodds for providing a first class facility for us play on each week and last but not least June and Susan for their tea making skills!

So 2008 proved to be a memorable season for South North Ladies 1XI. It’s great to see us at the top of the league, holding the silverware and tasting the champagne!  Here’s to a brilliant 2009!

Naomi Peck - 1st Team Captain

2^nd Team Review 2008

The 2^nd team had an excellent season finishing higher in the league table than last year. Everyone showed improved confidence during matches, mainly due to the high standard of coaching we had received from Martin etc. We were all better at batting, which was what used to let us down last year and make us lose matches. There were definitely less of us out for a duck! (even myself!) We were also much stronger in the field at stopping the ball, throwing and catching. Although Carol’s technique of using her chin to stop the ball wasn’t quite what Martin taught us!! Team spirit was high and everyone was always supportive of each other which made for a good atmosphere.

As this was my first season as Captain I wasn’t quite sure of what I was supposed to be doing, so it was great to have Carol and Kirsty as back up! Although Kirsty prefers to score instead of play! We sorted things out together and I think we were a successful partnership. I would like to thank the girls though especially Clairwen & Laura P for their help with setting the field when I wasn’t sure what I was doing!

This season saw us gain Selina Ullah from Tynemouth, she has played really well all summer and helped to win us lots of matches and proved to be great addition to the team. She scored our highest score of 58 against Tynemouth and took lots of wickets as well.  The fact that she managed to score all of her runs using my “evil jinxed” bat still amazes me. Rachel Mayne also played her first game for us this season scoring 42 and showing that she is definitely ready to play for the women’s teams, a fantastic debut!

I think we have all improved since last year and should be proud of ourselves and hopefully we can do even better next season! I would also like to thank everyone who helped umpire and score for us.

Vicki Threadgold - 2^nd Team Captain

On 7 November, the ladies and girls section held their AGM and presentation evening. The players were asked to nominate in certain catergories and the others were taken from the league averages.  The winners are below.

First Team Awards

Best Batting 2008 - Ami Campbell (273 runs in total, highest score 75*)

Best Bowling 2008 – Naomi Peck (25/4/81/8  average 10.3, best 2/10 off 4overs v Wylam)

Second Team Awards

Best Batting 2008 – Silena Ullah (180 runs in total, highest score 58)

Best Bowling 2008 – Vicky Threadgold (45/4/231/10  average 23.1, best 2/9 off 5 overs v Greenside)

Most Improved 2008 – Kirsty Balfour

South North Players Player 2008 - Claire Hopkins

There was also some daft awards given out to the team. Below are the awards, the winners and the reasons why.

The Mr T Award - Ali Oldam. She already has Alan Sugar and Mr T is the other person we wouldn't cross!

The Amy Winehouse Award - Ami Campbell for being the msot rock and roll team member!

The Denise Lewis Award - Caroline Jamieson for all the sports she plays!

The Jimmy Hill Award - Carol Nourse for putting Johnty Rhodes to shame with that spectacular 'chin' catch!

The Pets with Tourettes Award - Cate *&!!*& Adamson - enough said!

The Smirnoff Award - Claire Hopkins for keeping Smirnoff in business!

The Paula Radcliffe Award - Clairwen Richards for her constant running between the wickets!

The Nicole Richie Award - Emma Wright for being one of the vainest member of the team!

The Paris Hilton Award - Izzy Wright for being the other vainest member of the team!

The Emma Gozzard Award - Hannah Gordon for always saying sorry when she really doesn't need too!

The Charlie Chaplin Award - Jennie Evans for doing cricket in mute mode!

The Mrs Incredible Award - Kirsty Balfour for her incredible season!

The Exocet Missle - Laura Ashworth for her silent but deadly bowling!

The Goldfish Award - Laura Pearson for her lack of concentration!

The One (Hundered) Hit Wonder - Lucy Dixon for her great first knock!

The Rookie Award - Rachel Mayne for her brilliant first season!

The Golden Arm Award - Roshy Ali - her bowling says it all!

The Kris Kross Award - Sally Bryson for sporting back to front shorts!

The Dory Award - Silena Ullah for her concentration level and non stop chat!

The Dr Do Little Award - Vicki Threadgold for her love of all creatures great and small during a cricket match!

Thanks must go to Naomi for making the awards and the contribution of all those involved in coming up with them; a task that was not easy!! Thanks also to Gillian Usher for allowing us to take over half the club on a Friday coaching night and June and Susan for the catering!