Academy dominant against youthful Chester-le-Street

13th Jun 2022

NEPL Sunday Division 1: Sunday 12th June 2022 (a) 

SNCC 183-7 (40o) Eashan Ragbir 27, Jacob McCord 50,George Gray 28*, Ru Fletcher 23*: Brett Eagle 1-29, Joe Riley 2-29, Liam Cook 1-17, Gabriel Hughes-Pinan 1-27, Chris Metcalfe 1-17, Harry Simpson 1-26.

Chester-le-Street 74-9 (34o adjusted for rain) James Matthewson 14, Brett Eagle 14, Seth Atkinson 12*: Simon West 3-12, Will Alexander 2-15, Jenny McDowell 1-5, George Gray 0-11, Oliver Clark 2-13, Eashan Ragbir 1-4, Sam Ewart 0-0.

SNCC won by 109 runs - 17 points, Chester-le-Street 3.

The Bulls won the toss & captain Jenny McDowell chose to bat. Sam Ewart, pushing at one that bounced a bit, offered a caught & bowled to Eagle in the first over. At 39, Eashan Ragbir (27), after two nice boundaries, chased a wide one to be caught. At 45 Oliver Clark (7) was bowled by Cook, one that nipped back & at 53 Alexander (4) was bowled by Riley, one that went away.

A partnership of 33 ensued between Jan Ozmen & Jenny before Jan (17) was lbw sweeping. Jacob McCord struck the ball well driving 7x4 & 2x6, often straight down the ground in his 29 balls, to post 50 before being caught at deep mid wicket off Metcalfe's left arm spin immediately after drinks, 120-6. Jenny (8) pulled the leg spin of Simpson to mid wicket at 137-7. George Gray 28* & Ru Fletcher 23* then built an undefeated partnership of 46 for the 8th wicket in 6.3 overs with good running & strike rotation, especially singles into the offside.

Chester opened with Cook & Matthewson, who faced the right arm seam of Simon West & Will Alexander. Cook (4) was lbw to a West yorker at 9. Jackson (4) was caught by Ewart at first slip off Alexander at 14. One run later Roger (0) was bowled by another West yorker.

At 26 Hughes-Pinan (1) was bowled by one that left him from West. Good spell from Simon in his first outing of the season. Matthewson (14) was lbw to Alexander, 28- 5. Three wickets fell at 46, Riley (0) was caught by Ragbir at cover off Clark's off spin, Wragg (0) followed one ball later, bowled by Clark & Eagle (14) was caught & bowled low down on her follow through by Jenny, 46-8. 

Two rain breaks after 20 & then 23 overs reduced the overs available to 34, but Atkinson 12* (50b) & Simpson (46b) were suitably obdurate, until Simpson (4) was lbw to Ragbir at 70, Metcalfe remained (0*) & the innings closed at 74-9. SNCC 4th  in Division 1 on 67 ponts after 5/14 games.

Good bowling, full & straight, decent fielding & enterprising batting to be repeated.

The next Academy game is on Sunday 26 th June v Benwell Hill (h) 1300 start.

Duncan.