BULLS THROUGH TO TYNESIDE CHARITY BOWL FINAL WITH WIN AT PERCY MAIN

20th Jul 2018

SN 145-6 (20o) Birtwisle 41,Peyton 29, Weetman 24, R Fletcher 17: Anderson 3-22.

Percy Main 103-8 (20o) Crozier 3-15, Craigs 2-18, Ruddick 2-17.

On a grey evening the sun came out long enough to shine on the memorial bench for Percy Main stalwart & former umpire Fred Godson. A fitting tribute to a gentleman of cricket.

Invited to bat by the hosts, the second ball reared off a length & the w/k palmed it over the bar. The first over included 4 byes & 5 wides. Interesting, so with a short Pavilion side boundary, an opening stand of 67 between Birty & Rob Peyton was all the more meritorious. Both drove, Birty pulled, but at 67 Rob (29) at a run a ball, found backward point.

Alex Weetman & Birty then combined to put on 40 for the second wicket until Birty (41 6x4, 1x6) was bowled slog sweeping. In search of runs Alex (24, 20 balls) perished at long off, Cragg (4) at deep mid wicket, Ru (17), after three consecutive boundaries off Anderson, also at long off & Bobby (1) run out trying for 2 in the last over.

Inti (5*) & James (1*) saw the close at 145-6. A tough target on the surface.

Phillips, once of RGS, & Anderson faced Birtwisle & Wightman. Wighters, 3 wides & two no balls, the latter as the bounce took the ball over the batsman's head, 3 overs for 14. Michael Craigs first over was equally eventful. 11 runs, including 2 wides & a no ball, but two wickets both caught behind by Rob.

Hornby threatened with a 6 from James Ruddick's first ball & two fours from Craigs' second over before being bowled by James for 17. 50-3 in the 8th. Stanistreet was stumped advancing to Crozier, Phillips (21), who had little strike, cut Ruddick to the safe hands of Cragg at backward point, 63-5 in the 12th. Consecutive maidens in overs 9 & 10 helped, one for Mikey & one for James. Another for Craigs in the 14th built further pressure.

Lee continued to bamboozle & had Cramman (3) stumped by Peyton. In the same over Whitmore (1) was run out trying for two, a throw by Ruddick, & in his next over, Bird (8) was well held by Craigs at long on. 78-8 in the 17th, Crozier 3-15 in 4.

Oates & Peart attacked as best they could as Ru, Bobby & Adam bowled one over each. Bobby narrowly missing his first, 1st team wicket as a retreating Mikey spilled a skier at long on, the innings closing at 103-8. An exemplary fielding display with intensity & occasional over exuberance. Backing up potential run out throws is not optional & requires cover by two on a bouncy outfield!!

We progress to the final which is scheduled for Sunday 5th Aug at Benwell Hill when the opponents will be Consett in a T20 game beginning at 14:00. Much important league action before then beginning with DCA at Roseworth Terrace on Sat 21st July.

The England v South Africa U19 ODI is staged at the Club on Thursday 26th July. Our annual fixture with MCC is on Friday 27th July, also at home. A tough NEPL league  game v Whitburn (H) on Sat 28th July & one day later we head to Hanging Heaton CC, near Batley, for the Area Final of the Vitality T20 where we meet Barnard Castle in the second semi final at 13:30. 

A coach will be organised, for players & supporters. Spaces will be limited. An 09:00 departure from Central Park gates is likely. Please contact DDS/Gillian Usher to indicate an interest. We continue! 

Duncan D Stephen.