ACADEMY CRUISE TO AN 8 WICKET WIN AT PHILADELPHIA. Sun 10 May 2026: NEPL Sunday Division 1: SNCC v Philadelphia (a) 40/40.

10th May 2026

Philadelphia 111-8(40o) Joe Walshaw 17, Logan Barton 43, Ian Hauxwell 21: Joseph Dresser 1-16, George McConnell 0-18, Aryan Kalluri 2-17, Elliott Mee 3-11, Jacques Graham 2-34, Matthew Smith 0-13.

SNCC Academy 112-2 (14.1o) Aadi Bethanabatla 47, Olly Alexander 45: George Davidson 0-28, Austin Caris 0-48,  Matthew Stephenson 0-11, Pieter Grosvenor 2-23.

SNCC Academy won by 8 wickets - 20 points, Philadelphia 6.

Grateful thanks to the umpires for agreeing to allow play on a centrally placed wicket that appeared to be dry at one end & wet at the other. 

In the end a good win based on accurate bowling, especially by Elliott Mee, Joseph Dresser & Aryan Kalluri & then a commanding opening partnership of 94 between Aadi Bethanabatla & Olly Alexander, with Will Carr 8* & Leo Harper 3* completing the task in only 14.1 overs.

With some catching chances unable to be taken Philadelphia were only 8 wickets down, so the Bulls get 20 points not the 25 for all 10 wickets including the junior bonus of 5 points. Eight under 16's at 31 Aug 2025 were playing for SNCC.

A good toss to win, the hosts were invited to bat. Walshaw & Bunting faced the seam of Joseph Dresser (pavilion) & George McConnell (scorebox). A helmetless Walshaw had to retire having been struck in the face, via a glove, by a lifting delivery from George. Then Bunting (3) was bowled by Joseph at 22, top of off, swinging the ball away from the righthanders.

Joseph bowled 6 overs & George 5, then Aryan (scorebox) & Elliott (pavilion) took up the attack. At 37 Walshaw (17), having resumed, was bowled by Elliott, the ball drifting in. Elliott struck again when Simpson (0) was bowled & at the same score Davidson (0) advanced but found George waiting at deep mid wicket to take the catch, 36-4.

At 42 Grosvenor (4) was caught by George off Aryan who was bowling accurately with good control.  In tandem Elliott's 8 over spell concluded in the 27th, 8-4-11-3, not a bad ball bowled managing to flight his leg breaks, getting turn & disconcerting inward drift. Eight wickets in two games played for Elliott, long may it continue.

A partnership of 40 between Barton & Hauxwell took the total to 82 when  Hauxwell 21 (45b, 1x4, 2x6) was caught by Joseph at mid off, Jacques bouncing back from suffering 2x6 at Hauxwell's hands. At 93 Liam Marriott (8), was bowled by Jacques, 7 down.

Barton's (43, 82b, 5x4) vigil came to an end at 102 when he was caught by Aadi off the returning  Aryan 7-2-17-2, a really good return. Caris 1* & Luke Marriott 6* completed the innings at 111-8 after 40 overs. Only 6 wides bowled & one bye conceded was an improvement.

In reply Aadi & Olly faced the right arm seam of Davidson & Caris. They batted sensibly & were busy. Aadi exploring behind square on the leg side as well as his customary cuts & sraight driving. Olly punching off the back foot through cover & steering into the gaps. The pair ran well & the partnership had reached 94 when Aadi (47, 37b, 5x4 1x6) advanced to  the slow left arm of Grosvenor, missed & was stumped by w/k Marriott.

Nine runs on & nearly there, Olly (45, 38b, 9x4) saw a full toss, aimed to leg but, head up, was bowled by Grosvenor, 103-2. Will Carr (8*) struck a 6 & with Leo (3*) saw the Bulls home after one ball of the 15th over.

The Academy are second in Sunday Division 1, 3 points behind leaders Chester le Street after 3 games. Got to take the chances !!

Onward to Sunday 17^th May SNCC Academy v Seaham Harbour (h) 1330 40/40, we hope you can be there.

Duncan.