BULLS FINISH NEPL PREMIER DIVISION RUNNERS UP AFTER DEFEAT OF FELLING
24th September 2024
19th Jun 2018
The 1864s travelled to Allendale to play the previously unbeaten home side with a seriously depleted side. To be honest damage limitation was the focus with one eye on a very poor weather forecast. Would the rain save us?
Acting captain Inti Fazal won the toss and chose to bat. Inti and Tristan Meears-White put on 46 for the first wicket before Inti was clean bowled for 17 by the Allendale captain. Tristan was joined at the crease by Jack Patterson who was making his debut for the club after a few years out of the game. They put on 72 for the 2ndwicket. Jack was out for a useful 17. Will Varley came in and hit a quickfire 18. Tristan was eventually out for 86 in the 39thover. The 1864s finished their 40 overs on 183 for 4 which at least gave the bowlers something to bowl at. In truth, a score that probably exceeded expectations.
When Allendale went into bat, all eyes were on Tim Raglan fresh from 162 not out the week before. Two 4s in the first over were ominous. But in the 3rdover he top edged a shortish ball from Will Varley and the ball flew over the wicketkeeper’s head. From the scorebox, it looked like the batsmen would get at least 2 runs. I underestimated Ross Ward. He must have covered 25 yards before diving to take a one-handed catch. It was a remarkable effort. Tim Raglan out for 10!
Well led by Inti and with vocal encouragement from Ben Jones-Lee the 1864s bowled and fielded very well. There was another excellent catch by Will Varley. Allendale wickets fell regularly and suddenly the 1864s were daring to think about victory. Inti took 3 wickets and Cameron Skinner and Jack Patterson 2 each as Allendale struggled before being all out for 103.
The match ended in a v victory for the 1864s by 80 runs with a full 20 points. It was a tremendous effort against a side that will be in the mix for the title at the end of the season.
I want to say a huge thank you to Sam Ewart and Anya Meears-White who volunteered late on Saturday morning to fill the last 2 places in the 1864s when many others had said “no”.
At the end of the game one of the Allendale players said to me that the 1864s had out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded Allendale on the day. That was nice to hear.
The next game is on 23 June at Matfen against Hexham Leazes who are going well at the moment and sit just above the 1864s in the League.
Stewart Davidson