1864'S SUFFER AT MATFEN BUT STAY SECOND IN NTCL DIVISION 5 SOUTH. Sat 2 May 2026, NTCL Div 5 South; SNCC 1864 v Matfen (a) 40/40o

2nd May 2026

Matfen 295-5 (40o) Ian Pilkington 44, Danny Gilchrist 33, Andrew Payne 93*, Hasir Khan 50, Mo Ansar 29: Tom Hunter 0-45, Paddy Rathbone 0-39, Belinda Wewalage 2-54, Dominic Johnson 1-27, Aadi Bethanabatla 1-56, Alice Oliver 1-50

SNCC 1864 209ao (31.4o) Belinda Wewalage 48, Jan Ozmen 47, Aadi Bethanabatla 11, Paddy Rathbone 38, Thomas Hunter 37: Hashir Khan 5-35, Ian Pilkington 1-27, Andrew Payne 2-3, Dan Patterson 2-12.

Matfen won by 86 runs- 30 points, 1864's 7.

Competing claims meant grateful thanks to those who made themselves available to play on what became a tough day in the Matfen sunshine. A debut & a wicket for Alice Oliver, some very tidy seam bowling from Tom Hunter, a determined spell from Belinda & an economical one from Dominic but the power of Payne (93*) supported by Pilkington (44), Gilchrist (33) & Khan (50), often driving straight down the ground, meant little respite as the hosts racked up 295- 5.

In reply, a strong opening partnership of 88 between Belinda (35 ret hurt but returned to get to 48) & Jan (47) & later significant support from Paddy (38) & Tom Hunter (37), a partnership of 79 for the 8th wicket, saw the 64's amass a total 209 in only 31.4 overs, a good response to Matfen's imposing total. The home team used 8 bowlers of which only 2 were seamers.

The toss won, Matfen were asked to bat. I Pilkington & Gilchrist faced the seam of Hunter (lm) & P Rathbone (rm). Scoring readily the opening partnership grew as Belinda (rm) began a spell & then Dominic (ob). The total had reached 92 in the 11^th when Gilchrist (33) drove Belinda to long on where Aadi took the catch.

At the same score I Pilkington (44) slashed Dominic to Belinda at backward point, 2 down. Payne & T Pilkington (10) took the score to 145 when the latter played on to an Alice leg break. ! Bravo !!

Payne & Khan showed no mercy & the total rose rapidly as Aadi, Belinda, Thomas & Alice toiled. At 218 Khan (50), who had driven a lot down the ground, was bowled by Belinda, top of off !.

The total rose as Payne continued in the company of Ansar until at 294 in the last over Ansar (29) was caught by Belinda off Aadi at long on. Payne (93*) was undefeated, a significant total against an inexperienced attack & fielding that seemed to wilt under pressure.

In reply Belinda & Jan faced the seam of Toby Pilkington (rm) & Tony Gilchrist (rm). An equally effective beginning as the runs flowed. The partnership had reached 88 when Jan (47) was lbw to I Pilkington's off spin, sweeping.

Khan's leg spin was proving difficult & at 111 Aadi (11) played on. 8 Runs later Dula (4) was lbw to Khan. At 121 Matty Rathbone (3) was bowled by Payne's slow seam, three runs later Jack Patterson (1) was caught by T Pilkington at cover off Khan. One run later Jack Seymour (0) expecting turn, was bowled by one that came straight on.

Belinda (48) had returned to bat but at 127 he was caught by Gilchrist at mid wicket off Payne, 7 down. There followed an excellent partnership of 79 between Paddy & Tom as Matfen changed their bowlers regularly.

Khan returned & at 206 Paddy (38) attempting a big drive, was bowled. Tom Hunter (37) a splendid innngs, fell at the same score, sweeping but caught at mid wicket by Pilkington off Patterson's off breaks. Alice (0) succumbed at 209 caught by Shamil at point also off Patterson.

A spirited effort to score 209 in only 31.4 overs against a turning ball, making one think if runs had been saved in the field & the full 40 overs batted, things might have been much closer.

Onward to Sat 9^th May SNCC 1864 v Benwell Hill (h) 1300 40/40o. We  hope you can be there to cheer the team on.

Duncan.