In Division One of the O'Neill Richmonds West Tyne Senior Cricket League, South Northumberland 1864 went third in the table after defeating 2022 champions Humshaugh in comprehensive fashion at Chollerford on Saturday.
After losing openers Belinda Wewalage and Jacob McCord inside the first six overs, the visitors steadied the ship through Jan Ozmen and Will Alexander who had steered them to 58-2 in the 20th over when Alexander (28) mishit a full toss to mid-off and was caught. 13-year-old Will Carr, one of six talented U15s in the team, joined Ozmen at the crease and they continued in the same vein, slowly accelerating the run rate by punishing any loose deliveries and running well between the wickets.
With the score on 127 in the 36th over, Carr (30 from 47 balls) was caught off the bowling of Will Moss ending a crucial partnership of 69. Ozmen (67 not out from 106 balls including five boundaries) kept the scoreboard ticking over before the innings closed on 157-6 from the allotted 40 overs.
In reply, Humshaugh openers Andy Crawford and Hedley Renton started positively and had taken the score to 60-0 after 14 overs when three quick wickets changed the complexion of the game. Crawford (31) was bowled by Albie McPate as he stepped across a straight one and McPate's next delivery saw Jonty Binovec clean bowled for a golden duck.
The prize wicket of leading run scorer Renton (22) went to club captain Patrick Hatcher as his yorker hit the base of leg stump to leave the hosts in trouble on 64-3. They were soon on 74-4 after Matt Williamson skied a delivery from Will Young to Ozmen, and 78-5 when Rob Forster skied Varun Gudipati to mid-off where the retreating McPate took a neat catch.
Will Forster and Will Moss added a valuable 26 runs before the wickets started falling again and the hosts were eventually dismissed for 115 in 34.1 overs. The pick of the bowlers were Hatcher (4-19 off 7 overs), Gudipati (3-16 off 5.1 overs) and McPate (2-12 off 6 overs).
League leaders Haydon Bridge won by four wickets at home to Benwell Hill to keep their unbeaten record intact. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the visitors were restricted to 131-7 from the allotted 40 overs, with James Moody (32) top-scorer. The hosts were indebted to Mark Elliott (53) and Dale Leadbitter (32) as they reached their target in the 33rd over.
Riding Mill bowlers Andy Watson (6-22 off seven overs including a hat-trick) and Ben Sherrard-Smith (4-25 off 7.4 overs) had an afternoon to remember at Wylam as the hosts collapsed from 48-5 to 48 all out in 14.4 overs, with Rory Young (24) the only batsman to reach double figures. In reply, the visitors didn't have things all their own way before eventually winning by five wickets with more than 20 overs to spare.
Bottom of the table Hexham Leazes were dismissed for 94 in 35.1 overs by Newton at Mowden Hall, with the bulk of their runs coming from Stefan Yeatman (44) and Christy Fox (20). Brian Taylor (4-13 off 8 overs) was the pick of Newton's six bowlers. Max Wainwright (34) top-scored for the hosts who eased their way to victory by 6 wickets in the 19th over.
2021 champions Stamfordham were all out for 116 in 26.2 overs after being put in to bat by hosts Mitford who then coasted to victory by eight wickets in the 22nd over, thanks largely to a great knock from opener Joss Parker (63 from 64 balls).
In a high-scoring game at Belsay, the hosts (229-3 in 27 overs) won by seven wickets against Haltwhistle who had posted a challenging target of 225-3 from the allotted 40 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.
In Division Two, Haltwhistle consolidated their place at the top of the table with a 10th win of the season at home to Medomsley. The visitors' decision to bat first didn't go to plan as they were dismissed for 94 in 35 overs, with Dan Johnson (19) and Maddie Rippon (19) joint top-scorers. Paul Armstrong (3-16 off 8 overs) and Chris Smith (4-11 off 8 overs) starred with the ball for the hosts who then cruised to victory by 8 wickets with more than 18 overs to spare after John Armstrong (46 not out) and M.Dodd (39) shared an opening stand of 88.
Allendale repeated their recent KO Cup Final victory over Newbrough in convincing fashion. After deciding to bat first, Newbrough collapsed from 88-3 to 118 all out, with Martin Forster (29) top-scorer. There was a brace of wickets for Joe Elstob, Scott Makepeace and Jason White as well as three wickets for Alfie Mason. In reply, Phil Sheldon (57 not out) and Howard Robson (26) added 83 for the first wicket before Jason White (21 not out from 23 balls) joined Sheldon to steer them home in the 27th over with nine wickets in hand.
Bottom of the table Stocksfield lost at home to Wylam after being restricted to 97-9 from the allotted 40 overs, with opener Roan Stewart (22) top-scorer. After picking up four wickets, No.6 Mark Hull (20 not out) steered Wylam across the line in the 24th over with five wickets in hand.
After being put in to bat, hosts Riding Mill were dismissed for 151 in 35.2 overs by Mitford, after being 145-5 at one stage. Michael Collins (47) top-scored, with the wickets shared by Matty Edwards (4-12 off 8 overs), Chris Townson (3-34) and Tony Cook (3-5). The visitors were indebted to No.8 Callum Wilson (16 not out) and No.9 Graeme Potts (22 not out), along with 32 extras, as they reached their target off the last ball of the 38th over with three wickets in hand.
In Division One of the North East Premier League, Tynedale (3rd) closed the gap on Lanchester (2nd) to 21pts with victory by 135 runs at Ashley Park. After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Tynedale posted an impressive total of 240-6 from the allotted 55 overs, with the main contributions coming from Dan Parker (62), James Rainford (39), Sam Peter (36 not out) and Aaron Rourke (32). In reply, Graham Brinton and Ethan Connolly shared an opening stand of 38 for the hosts before they collapsed to 78-9. Late resistance came from No.10 Josh Renton (26 from 40 balls) before they were eventually all out for 105 in 32 overs. Most of the damage was done by Luke Mussett (4-63) and Archie Fletcher (4-22).
In Division Three, the match between Tynedale 2nd XI and Lanchester 2nd XI at Priors Flat was drawn. Batting first after losing the toss, the visitors recovered well after being in early trouble on 24-3 to reach 229 all out, with No.11 Ibrahim Khan run out off the last ball of the 50th over. Tynedale opener Ted Fletcher (103 not out from 140 balls including 14 boundaries) kept the Lanchester attack at bay while wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end. The innings closed on 166-8 after 45 overs, with Tynedale picking up 11pts and Lanchester 17pts.
WEST TYNE LEAGUE FIXTURES - Saturday, August 5 - Division 1: Benwell Hill v Wylam, Haltwhistle v Humshaugh, Hexham Leazes v Belsay, Newton v Riding Mill, South Northumberland 1864 v Mitford, Stamfordham v Haydon Bridge. Division 2: Mitford v Allendale, Riding Mill v Medomsley, Stocksfield v Haltwhistle, Wylam v Newbrough.
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