BULLS FINISH NEPL PREMIER DIVISION RUNNERS UP AFTER DEFEAT OF FELLING
24th September 2024
27th Aug 2024
BULLS FALTER AGAINST LEADERS BURNMOOR.
NEPL Premier Division: Sat 17th August 2024: 45/45o
SNCC v Burnmoor (h)
SNCC 174-9 (45o) Simon Birtwisle 27, Sol Bell 15, Nik Gorantla 23, Chris Hewison 39, Oli McGee 33*, Jonny Wightman 12: Waqas Maqsood 1-36, Dan Brown 2-27, Graham Bridge 4-16, Craig Stephenson 1-9, Ryan Pringle 1-34.
Burnmoor 175-6 (35.2o) Ross Greenwell 38, Ryan Pringle 40, Josh Coughlin 40* Waqas Maqsood 14, Dan Brown 14*: Tom Rogers 1-41, Jonny Wightman 1-27, Sean Tindale 2-51, Oli McGee 1-22, Lee Crozier 1-23.
Burnmoor won by 4 wickets- 24 points, SNCC 4.
Winning a 13th toss of the season the Bulls chose to bat perhaps hoping that a more consistent display would ensue. In the event although the top 4 got started, timing seemed problematic & although at 69 for 1 things looked promising, the innings slipped to 109-7 as the spinners took control, Graham Bridge's slow left arm taking 4 wickets for only 16 in his 9 overs on a responsive surface.
Going at 3's Birty & Sol got to 33 in the 10th when Sol (15, 25b,1x4)) was bowled by second change seamer Brown. Nik & Birty continued to 69 when Simon (27, 59b, 3x4) chipped Bridge's first ball back to him. Two runs later Nik (23, 18b, 4x4) was bowled by Brown, 71-3 in the 18th over.
At 87 in the 23rd Sean (4) got into a tangle & edged Bridge to w/k Linsley off glove & pad. In the 28th Adam (5) was adjudged lbw sweeping Stephenson, 96-5. In the 31st Rob (3) slog swept Bridge cleanly but found Greenwell on the deep mid wicket boundary. 6 runs & 2 overs later Tom (2) flicked Bridge to mid wicket, 109-7, in a hole.
Oli & Chris rescued the innings to 132 in the 41st over when Chris (39, 66b 2x4), another innings of substance for his team, now attacking to raise the total, was bowled by Maqsood. Oli & Jonny continued but at 159 Jonny (12, 13b 2x4)) was caught by Brown off Pringle. Oli & Lee combined with a last wicket partnership of 15, Oli 33* (35b, 5x4), a positive, encouraging response in the situation & Lee 1* & the innings closed at 174-9 after 45 overs. One sensed this might not be enough.
In reply Greenwell & Brown faced Rogers & Wightman. At 10 Brown (4) was adjudged to have edged & fell to an excellent, diving, legside catch by Rob off Jonny. Worthy (0) was bowled by Rogers at 23. Greenwell steered to third man as is his wont & Pringle seemed might lucky not to be given out caught behind when only 4 off Tom. Tough to take when the batsman appears about to walk but stands, later admitting he hit it & the decision is not out !
Reprieved, & in typical belligerent fashion, the partnership between Pringle & Greenwell took the score to 88 when Pringle (49, 25b, 5x4 2x6) edged Oli to Birty at first slip. 96-4 when Greenwell (38, 54b, 6x4) was bowled by Sean. Poynter (4) succumbed to a second, athletic, diving legside catch by Rob off Sean at 107, 5 down.
Coughlin settled & he & Maqsood took the score to 139 when Maqsood (14) was lbw to Lee. Both Coughlin & Brown then played some nice shots & the pair put on an undefeated 36 for the 7th wicket to see Burnmoor home in only the 36th over; Coughlin 40* (51b 4x4 1x6) & Brown 14* (33b 2x4).
Disappointing for Bulls supporters to witness a rather flat display in a big game peppered with seemingly tetchy responses to questionable umpiring decisions. We must move on. Bulls 5th in the Premier Division on 220 points but only 42 points between 2nd & 8th.
Big weekend coming up:
Sat 24th August NEPL Premier Division: SNCC v Tynemouth (a) 45/45 from 1200.
Mon 26th August NEPL Banks Salver 100 finals day at Burnmoor: SNCC v Benwell Hill (2nd Semi final from 1330)
We hope you can be there to cheer the team on.
Duncan.