SOUTH NORTH TRIUMPH IN 22ND JOHN BRADFORD MEMORIAL

12th Aug 2020

Northumberland X1 178-6 (40 overs : Rob Peyton 40, Danny Clark 28r, Paul Dutton 25, Oli McGee 41* Angus Southern 14 rht: Patrick Hatcher 1-45, Adam Helsby 1-25, Andrew Doig 1-6, Tris Meears-White 1-14, Calum Fletcher 0-8, Nathan Gough 0-32, Jack Slane 0-41.)

South North X1 179-6 (32.1 overs: Eashan Ragbir 35r, Andrew Doig 18, Tris Meears-White 48, James Miller 24, Calum Fletcher 23*, Ben Sidney-Wilmot 14*: Cam Skinner 1-25, Matty Jennings 2-35, Alan Roskilly 2-45, Tom Slane 0-30, Oli McGee 0-28, Michael Harbottle 0-14).

Man Of the Match: Tris Meears-White 48 (44m, 44b, 8x4)

In the circumstances of 2020, it was a delight that the 22nd Brad game could go ahead. Grateful thanks to all who played, some for the first time this year & some at short notice, to Craig for the superb setting & wicket, to Tommy behind the bar, to umpires Phil Raine & Phil Ewart, to Captains James Miller & Oli McGee for enabling an entertaining game to be played whilst giving opportunities for young players, 11 under 20 took an active part & to Roddy Golightly for generously sponsoring this Memorial game again.

Also to those families who spectated, especially those who remembered Brad, Peter Crane, David & Gill Venn, Peter Weatherall, Bill Peacock, Ron Balsillie, Eric Hall, Clive & Veronica Goatman, Peter Robson & Howard Sidney-Wilmot. Clive Page, Phil Tait, Phil Hall, Bryan Arkle, Paul Scott, Jon Gill & Jonny Boyes  sent their apologies. Ken Waller took some nice action shots!

Northumberland openers Rob Peyton & Danny Clark were watchful as Calum Fletcher began a brisk, mean spell of 5 overs for 8 from the Grove end in company with Nathan Gough's left arm from the Park. The total built steadily as Patrick Hatcher took over from Nathan & had reached 72 before Peyton (40, 5x4)) skied Patrick to mid on to be caught by Gough.

At the mid point drinks break of the 40 over innings, Danny Clark retired with 28 & Sam Ewart (+) joined Michael Harbottle, 77-2. Adam Helsby was bowling a nice spell form the Grove end before the Pro's (3) leg stump was rearranged by a yorker from Andrew Doig at 87. Two runs later, Sam was bowled round his legs by a flighted off break from Tris, 89-4 in the 27th. Paul Dutton & Angus Southern then put together a partnership of 32 in 6 overs, including some nice driving from both, when a hand injury forced Angus (14) to retire, 121 -5 in the 33rd.

22 runs later, Paul Dutton (25) pulled hard to backward square leg where Arif Alam took a good juggling catch at head height, 143-6 in the 37th. Oli McGee drove forcefully & ran urgently to push the score along & Tom Slane (5*) showing great composure taking a single from every ball he faced, Oli 41* (31m, 28b, 5x4, 1x6) after 40 overs, as Jack Slane suffered a little in his 7th over. 8 bowlers used, 4 U17.

Although windy, the rain had mostly stayed away as South North began their reply, Eashan Ragbir & Andrew Doig faced Cam Skinner (Park) & Matty Jennings (lm) from the Grove end. A boundary an over kept the scoreboard ticking until Cam yorked Drew (18) in his 3rd over. 26-1 became 26 -2 as Arif Alam (0) edged Matty to 2nd slip where Oli took the catch with aplomb.

A significant partnership between Eashan & Tris, who both ran well & drove fluently as Alan Roskilly & Tom Slane, not helped by a wet ball, overpitched. Having struck 8 boundaries Tris was undone by one that kept a tad low to be bowled by the persevering Roskilly for 48, 100-3 in the 18th. At the half way drinks break Eashan retired on 35 & Ben Sid joined James Miller.

Those of us who need a bit of practice to be at our best, are in awe of the talented Mr Miller who, in his first knock since 2019, struck an effortless & well timed 24 in 17 balls, 3x4, 1x6, mostly of the luckless Alan, before driving the same bowler to mid on where Oli took the catch. 131-5 in only the 22nd over. 

Cal Fletcher joined Ben Sid & despite Oli's wiles & Matty's persistence, pushed the score along before Ben (14) dragged on to Matty, 151-6 in the 28th. Patrick joined Cal & the pair took full advantage of Michael's gentle off spin & Tom's last two overs to see SN to victory from the first ball of the 33rd over, Cal 23*(4x4), Patrick 14* (3x4).

Ken Waller took a socially distanced whole group photo. Sponsor Roddy Golightly thanked everyone, presented the Brad Salver to winning captain James Miller & Man of the Match prosecco to Tris Meears White. A convivial day was concluded in the bar courtesy of Roddy & entries in the autograph book suggest that it was a day enjoyed by everyone.

We hope to convene again, covid free, on Wed 4th August 2021 for JB 23. May everyone enjoy the rest of this shortened season.