SOL EQUALS 20-YEAR-OLD NEPL RECORD FOR CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE CENTURIES.

19th Jul 2021

Solomon Jack David Bell was born on 27th February 2001. A little less than 3 months later James Miller (24), playing for Tynemouth, mostly in partnership with Wayne Falla, stroked three consecutive centuries versus Newcastle, Stockton & Gateshead Fell in three 10 wicket wins. Scott Kay for Newcastle completed three successive league centuries in the same year.

So, there is a certain symmetry that aged 20 years & 3 months Sol should himself score three consecutive league centuries for South North. Adam Heather, John Graham, Michael Harbottle once each, Chris Hewison twice, have back-to-back league hundreds. Simon Birtwisle, for Chester-le-Street, scored three in 7 days in 2015, a Banks, a league & a national, but no one has scored three consecutive NEPL league hundreds since 2001.

So, we are delighted to report, a tad belatedly, that Sol amassed 116* v Whitburn (h) 5/6, 118 v Burnopfield (a) 12/6 & 129* v Chester-le-Street (a) 19/6. Surviving the morning against a probing Kieran Waterson spell, blossoming in the afternoon with trademark on drive working smoothly & with strong support principally from Birty, Richo, Hewi & Adam, Sol batted for a total of 508 minutes, faced 429 balls, amassed 363 runs for once out, hitting 47x4 1x6. 

His teammates pay tribute: 

Simon(14 NEPL centuries)." Sol batted with real maturity & class. All three innings were played with great rhythm & an air of calmness"

Hewi (18 NEPL centuries)  "You know someone is batting well when by the third week it kind of felt inevitable that he would get another one. Incredible concentration just to keep on batting & brilliant to see the confidence growing in him. Well done Sol !"

Lee (772 NEPL wickets) " Sol's innings have shown an impressive combination of technical ability & mental toughness".

Jonny( 426 NEPL wickets) " Sol has looked so assured & brought a sense of calm to our batting line up".

John R (from the scorebox) " Pretty much faultless batting for over 8 hours. The innings v Chester-le-Street was a master class of technique & concentration. A remarkable feat in one so young"

Adam (2 NEPL centuries) " Sol has grown & gone from strength to strength since his first game for South North. 3 hundreds in a row just shows how confident, focused & hungry he is to score runs. The tempo of his batting & the way he constructs an innings has shown us how mature & special a cricketer he is becoming. He makes everyone around him play better."

Richo (9 1st class + 7 NEPL centuries)  " Sol is striving to play at the next level & his appetite for runs was evident in the 3 knocks. He showed amazing concentration & fitness, often batting within himself for long periods, showing great footwork & shot selection. We are really proud of his achievement at the club & hope we are providing him with the best opportunities".

Many congratulations Sol, from everyone at South North! May there be more to come please. Keep smiling!

Duncan.