Bigmouth Scribes Again

 Here we go; another 6 weeks in the life of Tynemouth Cricket Club -:

June 13^th:

It was another busy week at Tynemouth Cricket Club, with 8 games played during this period, stretching the club’s playing resources to the maximum. With work and family commitments to be considered, it really is commendable that both James Carr and Rashid “The Power” Hassan represented various TCC teams in 4 games each during the week just ended. Particular praise must go to Rashid, as he represented the Firsts, Thirds, Midweek Social XI and will assist the Seconds on Monday 14^th in a rearranged James Bell Cup game. Indeed, if he’d been asked, I’m sure the Sunday Third team could also have called upon his services. We should applaud both players for their dedication to the cause of Tynemouth CC.

The First XI began their week with a Tyneside Charity Bowl first round tie at home to Backworth on Tuesday night. Forced to field an inexperienced, if not experimental, team, Tynemouth were still able to perform with the requisite skill to advance to the second round. Batting first, Backworth accrued 108-5 from their 18 overs, with Sam Robson’s 2-20 and an impressive 1-3 from 3 overs by Adam Williams being the pick of the bowlers. In reply, Tynemouth achieved the win with an over to spare, mainly because of an unbeaten 34 by Mohammad Saad, ably assisted by Joe Snowdon’s fighting 27. Sadly the club’s interest in this year’s NEPL T20 competition came to an end with a comprehensive loss away to Lanchester, where the team selected would be better described as avant garde than experimental. A seemingly solid 148-5, built on the firm foundations of an opening partnership of 86 by Saad (43) and Ben Debnam (38), was chased down in 13.3 overs by an attacking Lanchester side, who lost only 2 wickets in the process.

On Saturday, Hetton Lyons came to Preston Avenue for the only fixture between the two teams in 2021, as the away leg was washed out in May. Batting first, the visitors posted an imposing 253-7, with Jarvis Clay taking top billing with a flawless 101 and Gary Scott also impressing with a pugnacious 76. The total could have been far higher, but for a dogged performance by David Mansfield, who reeled in the big hitting visitors when claiming 5-51 from 12 overs, aided by a pair of excellent catches by Stuart Poynter out in the deep. Tynemouth’s reply was not without highlights of its own; Ben McGee top scoring with an effortless, elegant 76, with lusty blows aplenty from Poynter and skipper Matty Brown, who both posted 53. However, any pretence of a run chase was put on ice just before tea when Saad was given out caught behind for 15, with the last overs dedicated to protecting the draw as Tynemouth closed on 215-6, to claim 10 points to Hetton’s 13.

The 2s had a similar result away to Ashington. Having been set 251 in 53 overs, following tidy spells by Neil Bennett (3-37) and Adam Williams (3-51), Tynemouth eventually ended on 199-8, with Chris Fairley (75) continuing to display excellent form with the bat, Richie Straughan chipping in with 42 and Matty Walton keeping the innings on course with an unbeaten 24.

Probably the most exciting game on Saturday saw the 3s dismiss Lintz 2s for 207, with Richie Hay (5-31) and Dan Storey (3-49) doing the damage. However, the reply was not all plain sailing, with the eventual margin of victory a meagre 2 wickets, though with 7 overs to spare. Finn Hodgson posted 51 and “The Power” thrashed a speedy 41, but it was Adam Tugby’s unbeaten 32 that saw the team collect another victory to remain top of NTCL Division 5 South.

Finally, the Midweek Social XI remain the only team in the club with a 100% winning record, after a pair of back to back victories over a superbly sporting Seaton Burn team. On Tuesday, Tynemouth batted first in the quarter final of the Ian Appleby Cup. Steven Mitchinson (30) and Matty Walton (29) gave the innings a solid start, before Freya Rook blitzed the middle order with a superb 3-15, including an elegant off cutter that utterly deceived the bespectacled James Carr. Neil “Cuddles” Sturrock came to the team’s assistance with a stylish unbeaten 33 that included two glorious maximums off the bowling of young Freya, taking the score to 133-7.  In response, Seaton Burn managed 101-6, with skipper Dan Storey standing out with a fine 3-21.

On Thursday, Seaton Burn played hosts. Batting first, they were restricted to 76-9, with Storey (3-8) again excelling and “Cuddles” chipping in with 2-10. The modest total seemed near insurmountable when the batting collapsed to 28-5, but Storey and Sturrock, both with unbeaten 22s, saw their side home with 6 overs to spare.

In the week ahead, the First XI host Percy Main in the Tyneside Charity Bowl on Wednesday and Blaydon in their final NEPL 1^st XI T20 group game, before travelling to Denton Bank for a league game against Benwell Hill on Saturday. The 2s go to Washington on Monday for a James Bell Cup game, and then host Benwell Hill at noon on Saturday. The Saturday 3s await news of their opponents in the Tom Barlow Cup but will definitely host Annfield Plain 2s on Saturday. The Sunday 3s are inactive and the Midweek Social XI make the journey to Riding Mill on Thursday evening.

June 20^th:

The continued threat posed by COVID was brought home this week by the effect of positive tests and the need for those who are asymptomatic to self-isolate on all teams at Tynemouth Cricket Club, from the first team to the Midweek Social XI. However, the rigorous adherence to protocols relating to test and trace allowed the club to put out three teams on Saturday, which is something to be proud of in such challenging times.

Tynemouth First XI began their busy week on Wednesday with a 37 run victory over Percy Main at Preston Avenue. Batting first, Tynemouth got off to a solid start, with opener Joe Snowdon scoring a brisk 34 before Mohammad Saad’s savage unbeaten 79 helped the home side post an intimidating 163-4 from their 20 overs. In reply, Percy Main were always in with a shout while opener Laurie Robson was at the crease. Once he departed for 68, the chase become unfeasible and the Main ended on 126-7, with the elegant James Carr (2-18) and Neil Bennett (2-19) the pick of the bowlers.

For their final T20 Group B game of 2021, Tynemouth played host to Blaydon on Friday night. Blaydon posted 104-7 from their 20 overs, a total that was never going to be enough, especially with Mohammad Saad at his sparking best. His unbeaten 64, including two massive sixes that clattered off the ridge tiles of adjacent properties on West Dene Drive, saw Tynemouth home with 8 overs to spare, for a 7 wicket victory.

Saturday saw Tynemouth make the journey to Denton Bank for an NEPL encounter. Having won the toss, Benwell Hill opted to bat first on what proved to be an intriguing combination of a challenging wicket and a lightning fast outfield. The Hill’s total of 197 all out was founded upon a determined, solid 88 from opener Phil Nicholson, who was last man out at the end of the 57^th over. Tynemouth’s bowling options were severely curtailed early in the Hill innings when Dan McGee, in cutting off what had seemed a certain boundary, injured his hamstring. While he was able to hobble through the remainder of Tynemouth’s time in the field, he was unable to bowl. Instead, the other bowlers stepped up and bowled their full allocations. Full marks go to Mohammad Saad for a truly superb 5-30 from 15 overs, including possibly the ball of the season to dismiss Benwell Hill and Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer for 2, with an unplayable delivery that took out his off stump. David Mansfield (3-40) and Sean Longstaff (2-51) played their part as well, with special praise also for Andrew Smith who bowled his full spell unchanged from the Crematorium End, without a scrap of luck as regular edges flew through the slip cordon and raced to the boundary.

At the halfway stage, a target of 198 from 53 overs seemed perfectly attainable. However, the balance of probability shifted swiftly when Barry Stewart (27) was fourth wicket down, with only 32 on the board. The loss of the dangerous Saad without scoring had set alarm bells off in the away changing room and, with 44 overs to go, a dogged rearguard was the only option, especially with doubts about Dan McGee’s ability to bat. Wickets fell regularly and when Andrew Smith had his stumps reduced to splinters by a lightning fast Callum Harding delivery, leaving Tynemouth 89-6, things looked bleak. Harding returned figures of 4-34, but when he removed Josh Koen, with the score on 109-8 and 15 overs remaining, the prospect of seemingly certain defeat was rebuffed as skipper Matty Brown (65*) and Sean Longstaff (21*) dug in, obdurately refusing to give their wickets away. Fighting successfully against both of their natural instincts to hit out, they defended doggedly against everything The Hill could muster, securing a draw as Tynemouth finished on 151-8. It was a praiseworthy and encouraging performance from the whole team, proving that drawn games can be absorbing as win - loss ones.

Tynemouth 2s had a difficult week. On Monday, they were forced to concede their James Bell Cup away game against Washington because of the requirement for many players to self-isolate because of COVID regulations. Saturday’s home game against Benwell Hill 2s provided little succour, as they lost by 103 runs. Benwell Hill batted first, posting 209-7, with Chris Beever (3-21) the pick of the bowlers. The reply was a disappointing 106 all out, with only James Carr offering sustained resistance, with an elegant 35.

Better news came courtesy of the Saturday 3s, whose 6 wicket victory over Annfield Plain 2s, keeps them clear at the top of NTCL Division 5 South. The visitors won the toss and batted first, only to come up against excellent bowling from Matty Walton (3-21), Joel Hull-Denholm (2-24) and Graeme Hallam (2-28) whose endeavours restricted them to 142-7 from their 40 overs. In reply, club chairman Hallam (56*) took the game decisively away from Annfield Plain, assisted by Hull-Denholm (28*) as the total required was achieved after 33 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. The Sunday 3s were without a game and the Midweek Social XI were desperately unlucky to surrender their 100% winning record when conceding their away game to Riding Mill because of COVID protocols.

The coming week promises to be no less busy than the one just ended. Tynemouth CC First XI host Percy Main again on Tuesday evening in the Smithson Cup, before the daunting prospect of a visit to South Northumberland next Saturday. The 2s will host South North on Saturday, but also have an away game at Whitburn on Friday night in the Roseworth Trophy. The Saturday 3s host Morpeth 2s in the Tom Barlow Cup on Wednesday and then Newcastle 3s on Saturday, while the Sunday 3s visit Gateshead Fell. Finally, it is a crucial period for the Midweek Social XI, who visit Percy Main on Monday in the semi-final of the Ian Appleby Cup and play host to table-topping Benwell and Walbottle on Thursday.

 June 27^th:

Saturday 26^th June saw another set of games washed out for Tynemouth CC’s three teams on a day of continuous drizzle. Thankfully, the whole week’s play was not lost, with several cup games taking place in the days leading up to the weekend, though mention must immediately be made of Robbie Bowman’s sparkling 172 for Northumberland Under 13s in their victory over their Yorkshire counterparts at Benwell Hill. Even more impressive, Robbie’s runs came from only 80 balls and included 26 boundaries and 7 maximums, with a catch behind the stumps in the Yorkshire innings as a bonus.

Another batsman in fine form this week was club professional Muhammad Saad who struck an unbeaten 108 from 64 balls, including 10 fours and 5 sixes, as Tynemouth’s first XI continued their impressive run in knock-out games with a 9-wicket win over Percy Main in the quarter final of the Smithson Trophy.  Batting first, The Main posted an impressive 151 from their 20 overs, with the highlight being an unbeaten 86 by Philip Cramman. In reply, opener Saad took the game by the throat from the off, ably assisted by the two Bens, Debnam (19) and McGee (24*), ensuring Tynemouth won with 3 overs to spare.

Tynemouth 2s were due to play Whitburn away in the Roseworth Trophy on Friday night, but the game was called off because of wet weather. The Saturday 3s did play on Wednesday but lost by 8 wickets to Morpeth 2s in the Tom Barlow Cup. Despite a battling 28 by Joel Hull-Denholm, Tynemouth could only accrue 85-6 from their 18 overs, which the visitors overhauled in only 9.3 overs.

The Sunday 3s benefitted from clement weather, travelling to Gateshead Fell. Batting first, Patrick Hallam’s 45 and Robbie Bowman’s 32 helped Tynemouth set a competitive target, ending the innings on 145-6. In reply, Gateshead Fell reached the required total after 38 overs, 7 wickets down, just shading a tight game that was in the balance until the very end.

Finally, the Midweek Social XI were twice frustrated in the week past, once by the opposition and once by the weather. On Monday, Percy Main hosted Tynemouth in the semi-final of the Ian Appleby Cup. Batting first, a large total seemed on the cards with the visitors reached 70-1 at the halfway stage, but despite a patient 39 by Jack O’Keefe and a flamboyant 38 by Neil “Cuddles” Sturrock, a disappointing final total of 122-6 from 18 overs didn’t seem enough. So it proved; The Main winning with 2 overs to spare for the loss of only 3 wickets.

Thursday proved a much tighter affair when table-topping Benwell and Walbottle came to Preston Avenue. Continuing his rich vein of form, Sturrock contributed an unhurried 51, but was eclipsed by Rashid “The Power” Hassan who started slowly and finished explosively, holing out for 63. Tynemouth’s total of 155-5 seemed a modest one as the visitors raced to 98-0, despite the incessant drizzle. However, a change of bowling saw The Power take control of proceedings with 3-16, as Benwell subsided to 101-4. At this point, with 56 needed from a shade over 5 overs and ian cusack (1-3) menacing the cowering Benwell batsmen with his trademark hostility, the rain turned torrential, and no further play was possible.

Next week, Tynemouth first team are at home to Burnopfield, while the 2s face a trip to Gateshead Fell and the 3s are away to Consett 2s. The Sunday 3s entertain South Northumberland Academy and the Midweek Social XI go to Ashington Rugby on Thursday evening. Also, we’d like to wish all the very best of luck to 3 young Tynemouth players, Patrick Hallam, Joe Snowdon and Dan Thorburn who will be playing for Northumberland Under 18s versus Durham at Sunderland’s Ashbrooke on Tuesday.

July 4^th:

Despite severe interruptions for rain delays, all four of Tynemouth CC’s weekend teams acquitted themselves admirably, with some sparkling batting performances to be celebrated. Most deserving of plaudits was Niall Piper, who opened for the 2s away to Gateshead Fell and carried his bat for a glorious unbeaten 122, though there were other superb performances that will be discussed later.

Tynemouth first XI, and especially bowler Andrew Smith, had a dream start at home to Burnopfield, with an opening double wicket maiden. From the first ball of the game, Joe Snowdon stooped low to hold on to an edge from Matthew Oswell. Two balls later, Smith caught and bowled Patrick Cooper from the batsman’s tentative prod. With the away side yet to register a run, Muhammad Saad had Ben Robinson caught behind by skipper Matty Brown in the 4^th over, leaving the away side 0-3 and Tynemouth with their first bowling point by 11.15.  Full credit to Burnopfield, they recovered from this early series of shocks to progress to 82, when Neil Bennett had John Oswell caught by David Mansfield for a belligerent 48. The batsman was mortified by the stroke he’d played and had further time to reflect on it when the first rain shower of the day saw the teams take an early lunch with Burnopfield on 95-4.

After the break, Burnopfield progressed to 123, when Saad claimed his second wicket and Tynemouth’s second bowling point with another caught and bowled, diving forward to pouch Mitchell Killeen for 40. Soon after, another rain interval took the teams off for over 2 hours, meaning the game was reduced to 74 overs. Burnopfield compiled 169-5 from their allocation of 40, with the brutal and elegant Jacques Du Toit posting an unbeaten 57, replete with his trademark combination of stylish strokes and ferocious attacking.

Tynemouth needed to score at exactly 5 an over to win the game, with seemed a tough ask in such climactic circumstances. Indeed, the 144 required for a winning draw was almost as exacting a proposition, especially when the early dismissals of Ben Debnam and Saad left Tynemouth wobbling at 9-2. However, skipper Matty Brown has been in great nick of late and his unbeaten 70 was pivotal to the team’s success, though Ben McGee’s fluent and composed 67, in the context of a 128 run partnership for the third wicket, was of equal importance in the Tynemouth cause. Certainly, one would have willingly paid a penny for visiting captain Du Toit’s thoughts when McGee dispatched him into the pavilion for an enormous leg-side 6 and then followed it up with a beautifully timed 4, as Tynemouth closed in on victory. Following McGee’s dismissal, David Mansfield came to the crease and bludgeoned a rapid 15* that included a cracking boundary for the winning runs, as Tynemouth prevailed by an impressive 7 wickets with a mere 3 balls to spare.

Tynemouth 2s travelled to table-topping Gateshead Fell, where less severe weather meant a 90 over game was possible. Being asked to bat first, Tynemouth’s 243-5 from their 45 overs was based upon Piper’s superb century, though support was to be found from Sam Robson’s 62* and Andrew Lineham’s 33. The latter’s run out, having succeeded in tripping over his own bat, has become a viral internet sensation, thanks to Gateshead Fell’s live streaming of the game. In reply, Gateshead Fell managed 224-8, giving the away side a winning draw. Wickets were claimed by Richie Hay, with a determined 9-2-25-2 and Ricky Handa’s 7-0-41-3. It was an excellent display and the home side will feel relieved to have avoided defeat to an ebullient Tynemouth team.

The Saturday 3s were up in the hills to play Consett 2s, where downpours resulted in a curtailed contest of 20 overs a side. Tynemouth batted first, scoring 159-5, which proved sufficient as Consett closed on 145-7. The result means Tynemouth Saturday 3s remain top of NTCL Division 5 South, 18 points ahead of Greenside.

The Sunday 3s hosted South North Academy and pulled off an impressive win by 44 runs. Batting first, Tynemouth finished their 40 overs on 236-8. Incessant rain ended any hopes of a full game with South North on 81-2 from 21.2 overs, meaning the Duckworth Lewis Method favoured the home side, as South North needed to have scored 126 for victory when play was suspended.

Next week, Tynemouth first XI have an away semi-final in the Tyneside Charity Bowl to Annfield Plain. The game is currently scheduled for Wednesday, but the game may be moved due to another sporting event taking place that night. What is certain is that they are away to Eppleton next Saturday. The 2s have their NEPL 2^nd XI T20 quarter final at Hetton Lyons on Friday night, before hosting Boldon on the Saturday. The Saturday 3s have a titanic clash away to Greenside, with a place at the top of NTCL Division 5 South at stake, while the Sunday 3s host Blaydon.

 July 11^th:

It has been a slightly surreal week for Tynemouth Cricket Club. At 9.00 on Monday morning, Andrew Linehan became an internet sensation when footage of his unfortunate dismissal against Gateshead Fell went viral after The Cricketer retweeted it. Indeed, Liners was only shunted off the cyber sports pages by trivialities such as Jimmy Anderson claiming his 1,000^th wicket and the entire England ODI squad going into Covid isolation. One piece of news that must be reported is George, son of Tynemouth stalwart Barry Stewart, claiming his first wicket for the county, as Northumberland Under 11s saw off their Yorkshire counterparts at Pateley Bridge CC. Well done, young man!!

Sadly, George’s adult clubmates were unable to replicate his success, with the exception of an astonishing Sunday 3s fixture that saw Tynemouth dismiss visitors Blaydon for 26, with Ricky Handa claiming 5 wickets and Sean Aditjandra chipping in with 3 victims. The home side won by 9 wickets, with a shade over 36 overs to spare.

On Saturday, Tynemouth CC first XI journeyed to Church Road, Eppleton and, in a game of two distinct climactic experiences, roughly contiguous to the separate innings, lost by 5 wickets. It was a toss worth winning on a morning so cloying and steamy that it would have served as the ideal setting for a Tennessee Williams play and with a pitch of so green a hue that Sean O’Casey could have poetically eulogised about it; sadly, Matt Brown called wrong and so Tynemouth were asked to bat first. Continuing the dramatic theme, Jack McBeth inflicted a 6 act tragedy on the visitors, claiming half a dozen victims from 13.3 overs and outshining Eppleton professional Sadaf Hussain (2 for 37 from a full 15 overs).

Batting was almost impossible on an uncomfortably sticky morning, under a thick blanket of heavy, grey clouds, with the ball giving assistance to bowlers in almost every over. Indeed, the only reason Tynemouth made as many as the paltry 156 they did was down to extras top scoring with 38, though Muhammad Saad’s 30, the skipper’s 21 and Andrew Smith’s belligerent 19 were of vital importance. The real turning point was the dismissal of David Mansfield courtesy of a stunning catch above his head by Kyle Davis as the final 4 Tynemouth wickets contributed a mere 6, as the tail wagged like the invisible appendage of a decidedly slothful Manx moggy.

It could be argued that, had the clouds not dissipated and the sun not borne down as ferociously as it did, 156 could have been enough. Sadly, the benign conditions dried the demons from the pitch, hastened the outfield appreciably and left the ever willing Tynemouth attack frustrated on a broiling afternoon. Having tenaciously dismissed half the Eppleton team, the pivotal moment was Ryan Downes surviving sustained appeals for unsporting behaviour as Tynemouth attempted to run him out. That would have left Eppleton 6 down with 25 still needed; as it was, the home batsmen completed the win in an untroubled fashion with over 30 overs to spare.

The 2s were in action on Friday night in an NEPL 2^nd XI T20 quarter final away to Hetton Lyons, who proved too strong on the night. Having made 128-8, with Chris Beever (3-23) and Sam Robson (2-33) bowling with great credit, Hetton dismissed Tynemouth for 85. After Niall Piper (23) and Rachid “The Power” Hassan (16), only Patrick Hallam (13*) made double figures as the home side prevailed by 42 runs. On Saturday, the 2s were left without a game as Boldon 2s were unable to fulfil the fixture because of Covid guidelines.

Tynemouth Saturday 3s have surrendered their position at the summit of the NTCL Division 5 South table, having lost heavily to their nearest rivals Greenside, who are now 5 points ahead. Having won the toss and inserted the hosts, Tynemouth saw Greenside amass 197-9 in their 40 overs. Hamish Swaddle-Scott (4-51) was the pick of the bowlers, with the target not seen to be insurmountable at the halfway stage. Unfortunately, Tynemouth were dismissed for 100 exactly, with only Matty Walton (36) showing real resistance. It is only the Saturday 3s second loss of the season, so there are assuredly enough strong characters in the team to bounce back from this setback.

Next week, is a busy one. On Monday 12^th, Tynemouth 2s travel to Whitburn in a James Bell Cup game. On Wednesday the first XI are away to Annfield Plain in a rearranged Tyneside Charity Bowl semi-final, while the Sunday 3s host South North in a Banks Cup tie. Thursday sees the Midweek Social XI take on Newcastle City. On Saturday, the 1s host Sacriston while the 2s make the reverse journey. However, these games are subject to confirmation that Sacriston are clear of Covid. The Saturday 3s host Benwell and Walbottle 2s, while the Sunday 3s are away to Newcastle Academy.

July 18^th:

If one were to take a straw poll among the players, members, and supporters of Tynemouth Cricket Club as to who has gone above and beyond the level of dedication expected this year, then the unanimous response would be Rashid “The Power” Hassan. In his first season with the club, Rashid has made himself available at every possible opportunity, meaning he has turned out for the 1s, 2s, Saturday 3s, Sunday 3s and Midweek sides, giving him a clean sweep of all adult teams. Undoubtedly, this is a fantastic achievement. This weekend, his commitment was rewarded with a maiden century for Tynemouth, when The Power lustily smote 117 (treble 20, single 17, double top) for the Saturday 3s as they crushed visitors Benwell and Walbottle 2s by 143 runs on the hottest day of the year. Well done, Rashid; you are an inspiration to us all!!

Tynemouth 1s had an unexpected free midweek, progressing to the semi-final of the Tyneside Charity Bowl when opponents Annfield Plain conceded because of rampant COVID cases among their squad and community. As a result, Tynemouth will have a semi-final away to either Shotley Bridge or Morpeth on Wednesday 21^st. The fixture will be announced on social media when the opponents are known.

On Saturday, the first XI bounced back from defeat at Eppleton the week before to comprehensively outclass a young and inexperienced Sacriston side. However, it must be noted that Tynemouth themselves were far from at full strength; skipper Matty Brown was observing COVID self-isolation protocols, requiring Ben Debnam to assume the captaincy and Chris Fairley to take up residency behind the stumps, while David Mansfield is hors de combat for the rest of the season with a broken hand and neither of the Durham players, Mike Jones or Stuart Poynter, were available for selection. One first team regular who was available was Stakhanovite medium pacer Andrew Smith and his meritorious 12-2-44-5 was the main reason Sacriston were contained to a manageable 168 all out from 42 overs. While the team were grateful to Smith for his efforts, the bowler must pay tribute to his comrades; Muhammad Saad’s stunning diving catch to dismiss Martin Hubber was a sublime example of slip fielding brilliance. Saad himself bowled with his trademark accuracy and penetration, returning figures of 15-4-47-3, while Neil Bennett continued his fine run of form in the first team, posting 2-28 from 8 overs. For Sacriston, Ross Whitfield scored a composed and unhurried 68, full of technically fluent strokes, but received little meaningful support, other than Dan Thexton’s pugnacious 48.

The reply was never exactly a cakewalk, as the early departure of Ben Debnam showed, but in the main the Tynemouth’s batting was always in the ascendancy. Niall Piper, promoted from the 2s, opened and made an attacking 39 before being bowled after essaying a rather too aggressive heave, with the score on 53. The experienced duo of Saad and Barry Stewart added a further 50 runs, in almost serene fashion, before Stewart was bowled, also for 39. Saad reached his half century before feathering a catch to keeper Thexton with the score on 151. From that moment on, Josh Koen (23*) and Chris Fairley (5*) saw Tynemouth home without further mishap for a full haul of 30 points.

Tynemouth 2s made the reverse journey to Sacriston and came away with an impressive win, by a margin of 4 wickets. Batting first, the home side made rapid early progress, but the young Tynemouth side showed determination; none more so than Joel Hull-Denholm who made the breakthrough with 78 on the board. Sacriston continued to play shots, while Tynemouth regularly pegged them back, with Adam Williams doing his best by posting 3-50 from 12 overs. At 185-5 the game was finely balanced, until Patrick Hallam (3-14) and Ricky Handa (2-36) helped dismiss Sacriston for 208 from 48 overs.

In reply, the four young lions of Tynemouth’s budding golden generation: Hamish Swaddle-Scott (47), Dan Thorburn (33), Joe Snowdon (27) and Patrick Hallam (20) all made vital runs, but with 40 required, it was the Last of the Summer Wine who saw Tynemouth home. Andrew Lineham (29*) and Graeme Hallam (27*) used their wisdom and experience to secure the victory.

As already mentioned, the Saturday 3s had The Power’s century as the centrepiece of an imposing 225-5 against Benwell & Walbottle 2s, ably supported by Chris Grievson with 35. In response, the visitors were never in the chase and subsided to 81 all out with Ed Snelders (3-12) and Ray Ban attired acting captain Dan “Roy Orbison” Storey (2-11), deputising for the hamstrung Richie Hay, mopping up the tail, after Sean Aditjandra (2-13) had contributed another impressive spell. News of Greenside’s defeat meant Tynemouth 3s return to the summit of NTCL Division 5 South. It was also encouraging to see Andrew Davison returning from a broken arm, with a steady 10* and an economical spell with the ball.

On Thursday, the Midweek Social XI ended their recent enforced hiatus and defeated Newcastle City by 18 runs in a competitive and compelling encounter. Batting first, Tynemouth amassed 129-7 in 18 overs, with Sam Robson and that man The Power top scoring with 37 each. Batting in the last few overs, skipper Dan Storey made an important unbeaten 19, including 3 boundaries, that effectively was the difference between the two sides. The eternally elegant James Carr, resplendent in shades like a sultry Milanese paninaro in a widescreen Michelangelo Antonioni feature, shrugged off his 0 with the bat and 5 wides from his first delivery, to return figures of 5-15 and effectively win the game for Tynemouth. His final victim, Archie McNaughton, reinforced Carr’s reputation as il martello degli scozzesi. With 3 games still to go, the unbeaten Midweek XI are still realistic contenders for the title.

Next week, as already mentioned, the first XI will travel to either Shotley Bridge or Morpeth on Wednesday for a Tyneside Charity Bowl semi-final. When opponents are finalised, details will be posted on Tynemouth Cricket Club twitter (@TynemouthCC). On Thursday, the second team are away to Whitburn in the Roseworth Trophy, while the Midweek XI travel to Churchill to play Monkseaton.  On Friday, the 1s visit Newcastle for their Smithson Cup semi-final. As regards league cricket, the first XI host Whitburn on Saturday, while the 2s make the reverse journey and the Saturday 3s visit Leadgate 2s. Finally, the Sunday 3s face off against Benwell Hill at Denton Bank.

 July 25^th:

Tynemouth 1s, severely weakened by injury and illness, endured a difficult few days that comprised 3 losses, including 2 semi-finals and a home defeat to the team bottom of the table at the start of play. First up, Tynemouth travelled to Morpeth on Wednesday for a Tyneside Charity Bowl meeting with Morpeth. Batting first, TCC reached 98-7 from their 18 overs. Opener and stand-in skipper Ben Debnam top scored with 30 and received solid support from Barry Stewart (21), though none of the other batsmen really got going. In reply, Morpeth reached their target, 4 wickets down and with 2 overs to spare.

On Friday, Newcastle were the hosts as Tynemouth visited Osborne Avenue for a Smithson Cup semi-final. Again Tynemouth batted first, this time amassing 104-8, which did not appear to be enough, despite some late, lusty blows by Graeme Hallam. This certainly seemed the case as Newcastle raced to 79-1. However Dan McGee took his second wicket with a smart caught and bowled, while Ricky Handa produced a magical couple of overs in which he took 3 wickets, leaving Newcastle tottering at 84-5. Unfortunately that proved to be the high spot of the evening and Newcastle won the game without further mishap.

If the two cup defeats had been predicted because of the weakened sides Tynemouth had been forced to field, then it was certainly the case that the return of skipper Matty Brown from a period of COVID isolation gave grounds for optimism when Whitburn arrived at Preston Avenue. Positivity was soon in short supply after Kieran Waterson dismissed Ben McGee and Barry Stewart in consecutive balls in the opening over, leaving Tynemouth 0-2 and scratching their head over the wisdom of batting first, having won the toss. Skipper Brown then came to the crease to partner Debnam and the two of them took the score to 96, at which point Brown perished at first slip the ball after he had completed a fluent half century. Ben Debnam (68) then took centre stage, helping Tynemouth to a competitive total. At the end of the innings, Sam Robson showed great counter attacking intent in contributing a fighting 30. When he was out, with the score at 185, Brown declared 9 wickets down, leaving Whitburn 57 overs to score 186.

After Owen Gourley had Lee Henderson dismissed, caught behind by Chris Fairley, without scoring, it looked like a tight contest was in the offing. Unfortunately, Tynemouth’s already lightweight attack was further denuded by Dan McGee limping off with a recurrence of his troublesome hamstring injury, after only bowling a single over. Sam Robson stood up and made a solid contribution as the team’s spin option, dismissing Adam May caught and bowled. Unfortunately, May had made 67 and Whitburn were 120 when the second wicket went down. Robson took another wicket, when Andrew Smith caught Ross Richardson (25), with the score on 163. Opener Paul Shields (68*) then took charge, leaving Tynemouth in fifth place in the NEPL table. The scorecard may be accessed here: https://tynemouth.play-cricket.com/website/results/4603749

Tynemouth 2s enjoyed contrasting fortunes in two away fixtures against their Whitburn counterparts in the week just finished. Firstly, on Thursday, an oft postponed James Bell Cup game ended in a solid win for the visitors, who posted 159 and came home by 8 runs after an exciting  chase. Unfortunately, the wicket for Saturday’s league game did not prove as congenial for Tynemouth, who subsided to 69 all out in 23 overs, with Andrew Lineham (20) top scoring. Whitburn’s Elliott “Hitman” Hearn weighed in with a knockout 7-34 to leave the visitors on the canvas. The home side knocked off the runs in only 9.5 overs, with Graeme Hallam’s 2-17 the best of the bowling, resulting in Tynemouth remaining in 8^th place in the NEPL Saturday Division 2. The scorecard may be accessed here: https://tynemouth.play-cricket.com/website/results/4604863

The Saturday 3s remain at the top of NTCL Division 5 South, nicely setting up their top of the table home clash with GEMS 2s next Saturday, after beating Leadgate 2s by 7 wickets. The home team batted first and were dismissed for 122, with Tynemouth reaching the target with 3 wickets down from 13 overs. Disappointingly, the Midweek Social XI conceded their third successive away game, because of a lack of players prepared to journey to far distant Monkseaton and face opponents winless in 2 years.

Next week, the 2s are away to Newcastle 2s in a James Bell Cup quarter final on Tuesday, while the Midweek Social XI welcome Benwell & Walbottle for their last home game of the season. On Saturday, Tynemouth CC first XI visit Burnmoor in a reverse of the opening day fixture that we lost by 3 runs, while the 2s host Sunderland. As already mentioned, the table topping Saturday 3s have a compelling clash with their nearest rivals GEMS 2^nd XI, while the Sunday 3s host Gateshead Fell.