SECOND PAST V PRESENT REUNION MATCH ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL OCCASION.

28th Aug 2025

SECOND PAST V PRESENT REUNION MATCH ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL OCCASION.

        Thurs 21^st August 2025, Roseworth Terrace, Gosforth, 40 overs/side, 1100.

Past X1 175-9 (40o) Nick Tomlinson 29, John Harbottle 50 rtno, Neil Corby 35, Kurran Dhugga 17, Leo Harper 10, Jonny Boyes 12*: George McConnell 4-21, Tess Parr 2-27, Will Carr 0-9, Indie Ridley 0-17, Jacques Graham 0-29, Ben Sidney-Wilmot 2-41, Angus Southern 1-18.

Present X1 176-5 (36.5o) Aadi Bethanabatla 50 rtno, Fraser Hall 52 rtno, Will Carr 18, Angus Southern 13, Ben Sidney-Wilmot 24: Jonnny Boyes 1-17, Leo Harper 0-23, Andy Doig 2-32, James Hutton 0-7, Adam Beaney 0-22, Matthew Kinmond 1-37, Kurran Dhugga 1-18, Ryan Sidney-Wilmot 0-18.

Present X1 won by 5 wickets.

Another entirely convivial, GCSE results, day ended in warm sunshine as the Present X1, led by co captains Ben Sidney-Wilmot & Angus Southern, once again proved the stronger against their conterparts of yesteryear in the second reunion match which the Club most kindly found space for in the crowded fixture schedule.

The team sheet showed debuts for the Present X1 for Tess Parr, Indie Ridley, Aadi Bethanabatla, Tom Oliver, Sam Lee & Faser Hall & for the Past X1, John Harbottle, Kurran Dhugga, Leo Harper & Andy Doig. In pleasant conditions, with families & friends watching, emerging from their preferred home changing room, Nick Tomlinson & John Harbottle, a first game for 8 years, faced the seam of George McConnell & Tess Parr.

A fast start as Nick hit 4x4 & John glancing regularly ended at 37 in the 6^th as a full delivery from Tess bowled Nick (29, 18b, 4x4). A good 5 over spell from Tess keeping a full length & swinging it in. Four wickets then fell to George in 4 overs as Michael Harbottle (3) was caught at mid on by Sam Lee, Andy Doig (0) cut to point where Aadi held the catch, Ryan Sid (0) was caught by Angus at slip & James Hutton (0) bowled. 42-5 after 11 overs, not what was intended !!.

As Will Carr (rm), Indie Ridley (rm) a tidy 5 over spell from the Park end & Jacques Graham (sla) bowled, the total rose courtesy of Neil Corby, a Swalwell regular, & Kurran Dhugga. A handy partnership of 78 ended in over 22 when Neil (35, 44b, 6x4) was bowled by Ben Sid jaffa, 121 -6.

Leo (10) succumbed in the 32^nd skying to Will Carr off Angus's leg spin, 139-7. Then Kurran (17) skied to mid on in the 35^th where Sam Lee defied the sun to take the catch off Ben Sid, 156-8. Jonny (12*) watched as Adam Beaney (5) was caught by Will Carr off a returning Tess & in company with Matthew (2*)saw the close at 175-9 just keeping Indie at bay !

A lovely lunch, courtesy of Sarah & Jackie, was gratefully consumed, a combined teams photo was taken & the Present X1 began with Aadi & Sam facing the seam of Jonny Boyes & Leo Harper. Sam (0) skied to square leg off Jonny in the third over then Fraser joined Aadi & the pair put on 80 as Andy, James, Adam sought a breakthrough.

Aadi, who had driven down the ground nicely but also gave the bowlers a chance as expansive drives were not edged, retired not out at 50. Tom (2) joined Fraser but skied to Andy off Matthew's off spin at 87 in the 22^nd over.

Will (18) hit 4x4 but in launching Kurran to deep mid wicket in the 25th over found John Harbottle, 106-3. Fraser had batted well, punching off both front & back foot to cover & mid on & he retired at 52* (85b, 7x4). Angus (13) was joined by George but Andy, bowling sharply from the Grove end, removed his off stump at 141 in the 32^nd over.

George then watched as Ben (24, 18b, 4x4) drove straight or through mid wicket, to put the Present team in the driving seat. But he too succumbed to the pace of Andy in the 36^th bowled driving, 171-5.

Jacques joined George & the winning runs came after 5 balls of Ryan's only over as Jacques pulled to square leg for 4.

8 bowlers used, some stiff limbs in the morning but altogether another lovely day to welcome back SNCC alumni to their spiritual home.

Howard presented Ben with the winners shield. Jonny led the thanks to his team, to Craig & Liam for the ground, to Sarah & Jackie for the food, to the umpires Howard & Duncan, to scorer Harriet McConnell, to Gordon Halliday for the match balls, to Peter Young for the umpires coats & to the Club for providing the opportunity to renew old friendships & memories. 

In reply, Duncan hoped that giving young players the chance to play against senior opposition would help boost their confidence to do so again. As old Mr Grace would have said " You've all done very well" !

There is a strong desire to gather for number three in 2026, hoping a space can be found in a crowded, summer holiday time fixture list.

Reminiscences & smiles continued as the sun shone on the benches just in front of the Pavilion on the outfield. A perfect end ..& the GCSE results were good too !

We hope to continue.

Duncan.