MIDWEEK BULLS EDGE ASHINGTON IN HIGH SCORING TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH: CENTURIES FOR ANDREW DOIG & CAM SKINNER.

30th Jun 2025

        MIDWEEK BULLS EDGE ASHINGTON IN HIGH SCORING TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH: CENTURIES FOR ANDREW DOIG & CAM SKINNER.

NTCL Midweek Open League: Thurs 26^th June: SNCC v Ashington (a) 20/20

SNCC 199-2 (20o) Danny Collins 15, Andrew Doig 122*, Tris Meears-White 44*: Billy Wade 1-29, Adam Shute 1-68, Alex Tait 0-47, Jon Sadler 0-45.

Ashington 169-6 (20o) Conn Sullivan 11, Cam Skinner 101, Jon Sadler 18: Danny Collins 1-31, George McConnell 1-34, David Cragg 1-42, Joseph Dresser 2-27, Daylan Deen-Williams 1-28.

SNCC won by 30 runs- 9 points, Ashington 2.

This top of the table clash proved to be a high scoring affair as both Andrew Doig for the Bulls & Cam Skinner for Ashington scored centuries, clean striking taking advantage of the short leg side boundary towards the trees at Langwell Crescent.

Success in the first over from Wade for Ashington up the hill as the prolific Tom Seymour edged to w/k Whitworth with no runs on the board. Shute's second over went for 18 as Andrew Doig hit 3x4. At 44 in the 6^th Danny Collins (15) was bowled by Shute. Tris Meears-White joined Doig & the pair pressed on as Tait & Sadler joined the attack.

79 after 10 overs, in which Andy hit Tait for a maximum, Tris had already cut & pulled 4x4, became 104 after 13 in which Andy reached 50*, Tris 26*. Acceleration as all the bowlers suffered, Andy reaching his 100 in over 19 & then adding 20 in the last from the luckless Shute. 

Andy 122* (63b,14x4, 4x6) & Tris 44* (43b, 5x4), an undefeated partnership of 155 which included the good running of 41 singles. 102 runs coming from the last 8 overs.

In reply Sullivan & Hetherington faced the left arm seam Danny Collins & George McConnell. At 18 in the 4^th Sullivan drove to point where Joseph took the catch. Enter Cam Skinner, once of this parish, now a batter as his elbow heals from surgery. Cam struck 3x4 off Danny in the 5^th & then 4,2,6, 6 off George in the 8th, 64-1.

In the 9^th Hetherington (10) was caught by David Cragg at extra cover off Danny 66-2, the Bulls had been 69-2 at the same stage. David Cragg bowled overs 10,12,14,16 &18 & in his second Watson (10) having just hit 2x4, advanced, missed & was smartly stumped by Leo Harper, 83-3.

Joseph (rm) & David (sla) bowled in tandem to over16, the total had risen to 130, Cam Skinner 73*. In Daylan Williams first Tait (18) was bowled but Cam stroked 6,6,4. A canny over for only 9 from David in the 18th,156-4. The Bulls had been 159-2 after 18 overs.

Getting a tad tense but to his great credit Daylan, under pressure, bowled the 19^th with the short legside boundary, for only 12, 168-4, leaving Joseph to bowl the last with a 32 run cushion. In the event Sadler (9) was caught by Andy at long off from ball 2 & from ball 5 Cam Skinner's bold innings ended as the ball hung in the stratosphere enabling w/k Leo Harper to run & then take a memorable catch; the innings ended at 169-6.

Cam (101, 42b 11x4 6x6) a brave effort, his second century in two weeks following another against Tynemouth.

Under assault, the Bulls fielding had not wilted, taking catches & bowling vital overs well, although Mr Seymour's dodgy knee meant that his movement & throwing were idiosyncratic !  A good win !!

This victory closes the gap on Ashington to 4 points; having played 9, Ashington 67, Bulls 63, Bomarsund 61.

Onward to Thurs 3^rd July SNCC v Backworth (h) Tom Barlow Cup, from 1800 20/20. We hope you can be there, it will be exciting !

Duncan.