BULLS FALL JUST SHORT CHASING 250 AT ASHINGTON.

16th May 2025

BULLS FALL JUST SHORT CHASING 250 AT ASHINGTON.

Sat 10^th May 2025: NEPL Div 2: SNCC v Ashington (a) 1200, 45/45 win/lose.

Ashington 251-4 (45o) John Woolley 76, David Rutherford 27, Alexander Charnley 42, Conn Sullivan 41, Greg Williams 29* Matthew Storey 18*: Gavin Paton 0-45, Danny Collins 0-42, Allan Davidson 1-21, Jacques Graham 0-49, Will Young 1-49, George McConnell 2-45. 

SNCC 234-6 (45o) Nick Tomlinson 20, Sam Ewart 57, Will Carr 25, Gavin Paton 48, Ben Sidney-Wilmot 33*, Danny Collins 10*: Luke Hetherington 0-47, Harry Parkinson 0-18, Alex Storey 2-51, David Rutherford 0-14, Matthew Storey 0-44. Lennon Harmison 2-18, Conn Sullivan 2-34.

Ashington won by 17 runs - 24 points, SNCC 5.

With senior players Edwards, Fletcher & Lunn all absent Gavin Paton led a youthful second X1 on a sunny day at Langwell Crescent. The Bulls elected to field, Gavin Paton & Danny Collins were opposed by the experienced John Woolley & David Rutherford.

4 maidens in the first 8 overs augured well & Woolley survived a chance to cover off Danny when only 13*. Rutherford struck 3x4 in the 9th & in the 10th another chance fell to earth off Danny, 31 without loss.

Allan Davidson & Jacques Graham entered the attack & in over 15 Rutherford (27) drove Allan to mid off where George took the catch, 59-1. Regular boundaries to Woolley & Charnley as Will Young started a spell in the 21st over joined by Gavin.

102-1 at drinks after 23 overs, but in the 30^th George McConnell bowled Charnley (42) off stump, a good delivery up the hill, 140-2. The rate remained at 5's until Woolley (76, 118b, 13x4) defending, was bowled by George,179-3 after 38 overs.

In the 7 overs remaining  Sullivan (41,36b, 6x4) caught by Gavin off Will Young at 213 then Williams (29*) & M Storey (18*) raised the total by 72 to 251, 24 from the last two overs. Such a shame that the early chances could not be taken.

Chasing, Sam Ewart & Nick Tomlinson faced the seam of Hetherington & Parkinson. 4x4 to Sam & 23 without loss after 4 overs. Nick hit 2x4 in over 7 after which David Rutherford & Alex Storey entered the attack.

Sam took boundaries off Storey in the 10th & 12^th but in the 14th, after a Rutherford maiden, Nick (20, 32b 2x4) defending, was bowled by Storey, 71-1. There followed a period of tight bowling, w/k standing up, which restricted the scoring. 

Rutherford's 7 overs conceded 14 & only 22 runs were scored in 10 overs. In the 23rd the leg spin of Lennon Harmison enticed Sam to attack & he was stumped by Williams. Another enterprising knock from Sam of 57,(80b, 9x4). Jan  (7, 34b) succumbed in similar fashion to Harmison two overs later, 99-3.

Will Carr & Gavin Paton batted positively & the total was enhanced by 30 in overs 31-33, Will hitting 2x4, Gavin 3x4 1x6. Sullivan entered the attack in over37 & in his second pinned Will (25, 37b 3x4) lbw, half forward,146-4.

Gav continued to plunder in company with George McConnell, 37 runs from 3 overs to match the Ashington score at the end of 38 overs. In that over, sadly Gavin (48, 36b 4x4 3x6) inside edged another big shot to be bowled by Alex Storey at 183, 5 down. Gav's 6 over extra cover was special!

Ben Sidney-Wilmot joined George but it was George (9) attacking, who was bowled by Sullivan in the 41st which yielded only 1 run, 195-6. Then despite boundaries in each remaining over to Ben & Danny Collins the total reached 234 at the close, Ben 31*, Danny 12*. 

Overall a positive display by a young side against more experienced opponents; from a lack of strike rotation to getting up to the rate, but not quite able to match the late flourish of the home team & important early chances not taken, things to improve upon.

Onward to Sat 17^th May NEPL Div 2: SNCC v Sunderland (h) 1200, 45/45 win/lose, we hope you can be there to cheer the Bulls on.

Duncan.