ROB PEYTON'S MAIDEN CENTURY LEADS BULLS TO CONVINCING WIN AT FELLING.

9th Sep 2025

       ROB PEYTON'S MAIDEN CENTURY LEADS BULLS TO CONVINCING WIN AT FELLING.

 Sat 30th August 2025: NEPL Premier Division: SNCC v Felling (a) 45/45 win/lose.

Felling 181 ao (39.2o) Alasdair Appleby 21, Ben Robinson 17, Alan Mustard 17, Muhaymen Majeed 53, Paul Leonard 18: Jonny Wightman 3-39, Cody Hoffmeister 0-24, Will Alexander 0-35, Oli McGee 2-14, George Drissell 1-36, Simon Birtwisle 4-24.

SNCC 185 -1 (27.3o) Rob Peyton 108*, Sol Bell 24, David Edwards 40*: Paul Leonard 0-11, Elliot Fox 0-49, Alasdair Appleby 0-13, Mohammed Hamid 0-35, Tom Slane 1-39, Calum Wright 0-36.

SNCC won by 9 wickets- 24 points, Felling 3.

A maiden NEPL league century for Rob Peyton guided the Bulls to a convincing victory at Felling in only 27.3 overs chasing the home team's 181 all out. If his initial reaction was "It's about time" it may also be a defining innings for Rob who has threatened to break his duck many times but often succumbed to catches in the 40's. Perhaps the added responsibility of captaining in Hewi's absence made a subtle difference. 16 boundaries to all parts, 2 sixes, one slice of luck, no chances given & an undefeated  partnership of 119 with David Edwards, after Sol's unlucky dismissal, speak of a clear mind, accurate shot selection & execution.

After a first innings where his bowling changes & field placings were admired by experienced observers & after overcoming a fast start which saw Felling reach 90-2 in only the 15^th over, to restrict the home side to 181 was an achievement; Birty's golden arm taking 4 wickets, Oli 2, Jonny 3 & George 1. 

Felling were invited to bat. Appleby & Robinson faced Wightman & Hoffmeister. A fast start but at 38 in the seventh Appleby (22) aimed to mid wicket but was bowled by Wighters. Bowling up the hill with the shorter boundary to leg was proving difficult for Cody & then Will such that the score rose rapidly. At 76 in the twelfth, Oli's first, Robinson (17) was lbw sweeping.

George began a mean spell from the Pavilion end & at 110 in the 20th Oli got one to pitch on middle & hit off to bowl Mustard (17) playing forward. The next 6 overs yielded only 13 runs & then in the 25^th Slane (3) forward, was lbw to Birty in his first up the hill.

The left handed Majeed had been positive against seam but more restrained against spin then 3 wickets fell in 4 overs as Easton (8) edged a drive to w/k Rob off Wighters, 148-5. At the same score Majeed (53, 67b 8x4) seemed unlucky to be adjudged lbw on the back leg to Birty.

Two overs later Hurst (5) survived one stumping chance as the ball leapt to hit Rob in the chest but succumbed next ball as he missed a wider Birty delivery & was stumped, 162-7. At 178 in the 38^th Fox (7) not far forward, was lbw to Birty, 8 down. Hamid (0) chopped on to Wighters at 181 & at the same score Leonard (18) drove but leading edged to backward point off George where Jonny obliged. 

21 wides a blemish to be improved upon but a good comeback after a fast start.

The Bulls innings began with a flurry of boundaries as Sol 4x4 & Rob 4x4 both inside the first 6 overs saw the total at 42. In over 4 Rob, advancing, struck Fox for 3 consecutive  boundaries to mid wicket & extra cover & then, in over 8, drove Hamid straight for 6.

Sadly, in over 10 Sol (24, 29b, 4x4) was hit high but adjudged lbw to Slane, 66-1. A slice of luck for Rob off Fox when the ball appeared to nick the off stump but the bails remained intact, when it's your day !!

David settled, Rob reached 50* in the 14^th with a single off Slane. Then 2x4 for David & also for Rob as Hamid (sla) & Wright suffered. Thereafter in 8 consecutive overs Rob struck a boundary including a maximum to mid wicket off Wright's left arm seam. He reached 100* in the 25^th with a boundary off Hamid. 8x4 of the 16 struck had been taken off the luckless Fox.

David ended with a clatter too taking 19 from three overs before finishing the game with another boundary off Slane in the 28^th over. A comprehensive win which sees the Bulls retain second place on 319 points, 17 ahead of Castle Eden on 302.Onward to Sat 6^th Sept SNCC v Burnopfield (h) 1200, 45/45, win/lose.

Then finally Sat 13^th Sept SNCC v Tynemouth (a) 1200, 45/45, win/lose.

 We hope you can be there to cheer the team on.

Duncan.

DIARY DATE : SNCC Presentation Evening 2025 : Sat 20th Sept from 1800 in the Indoor Centre, a celebration of the 2025 season. 

Book your places please via sarah.bell@southnorth.co.uk