Extra Coverage

 The 2021 Cricket season is over; please consider my blog on Tynemouth CC's final fixtures, while I deal with personal grief -:

August 2^nd 2021:

Tynemouth CC this week cancelled the contract of club professional Muhammad Saad, who has returned home to Pakistan for personal reasons, by mutual consent. He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Tynemouth and we wish him well in all his future endeavours. Clearly, his 713 runs and 29 wickets across all forms of the game this season have been vital to the Tynemouth cause, and we are significantly weakened by his departure.

Factoring in the unending list of injuries and COVID isolations, not to mention annual holidays, meant that the Tynemouth 1s side that journeyed to 2019 NEPL winners Burnmoor did so with a grave sense of apprehension that was proven correct by subsequent events. Having lost the morning session to a wet outfield after heavy overnight rain, the game was reduced to 72 overs. After calling correctly, captain Matty Brown inserted the hosts and had the pleasure of claiming the scalp of much-travelled, veteran opener Allan Worthy leg before. The score at this point was 74, when Ryan Pringle came to the crease. He subsequently scored a 40-ball century, contributing 111 to an unbroken 151 run partnership, allowing Burnmoor to declare at 225-1 after 31 overs, with Ross Greenwell (84*) the other batsman. In reply, Tynemouth had 41 overs to score the required runs, but only used 23 of them before being bowled out for 60. Skipper Brown top scored with 20. This result leaves the Tynemouth First XI with much thinking to do ahead of a trio of tough-looking home games against: Chester le Street, Benwell Hill and South Northumberland in the next few weeks.

Last Tuesday, Tynemouth 2s visited Jesmond for a Roseworth Trophy second round tie against Newcastle. The hosts batted first and posted a competitive 165-7 at the end of their 20 overs. The wickets were shared around in increasingly gloomy and humid conditions; Neil Bennett, Andrew Davison and Sam Robson all claiming a brace of dismissals. As the Tynemouth innings commenced, the menacing rain clouds finally issued forth. In the true spirit of the game, Tynemouth 2s endeavoured to stay on, as wickets fell with monotonous regularity. However, what began as a shower ended as a downpour and the umpires were left with no choice but to abandon the game with Tynemouth 73-5 in the 16^th over and the result too tight to call. We await a date for the rearranged game.

On Saturday, Tynemouth 2s played host to Sunderland 2s, in what was a frustrating encounter. The weather caused half an hour’s delay, with play getting under way at 12.30. However, things were far from straightforward from then on as, with the score 22-1, a Sunderland player fell and seriously injured himself in the field. It was clear that not only would he be unable to continue, but that he needed medical attention. The overstretched ambulance service were forced to prioritise more serious incidents and the wait of 3 hours before the stricken visitor was whisked to Cramlington, saw the game reduced to 63 overs. Having used 11 overs already, acceleration was required. Sean Longstaff, fresh from enjoying Burton while on Newcastle United duties the night before, reasoned that in his professional career he may never play against Sunderland, so he decided to make amends in his amateur one, butchering the visiting attack while scoring 83 from 44 balls. He was ably supported by Tynemouth’s foremost red and white, Andrew Davison, who contributed a stylish 54, benefitting from the physical rigours of Newcastle United’s pre-season regime that manifested itself in Sean’s running between the wickets. After the two of them fell in successive balls, caught on the boundary, with the score on 157 in the 24^th over, the tempo dropped significantly, and Tynemouth declared on 181-6 at the end of 30 overs.

In response, Sunderland showed little attacking intent and ended up on 149-5 from 33 overs. Sam Robson was the pick of the bowlers, returning 2-19, though there was also an encouraging cameo from Richard Hay. Returning gingerly from a life-threatening hamstring pull, he returned 5-13-1 bowling off spin, as an aperitif to a fine dining experience with his good lady.

The biggest game of the weekend was Tynemouth 3s home clash with GEMS 2s, as the two top sides in NTCL Division 5 South met with the leadership of the table at stake. Even better, two club stalwarts, in the shape of Martin Pollard and Dave Hull Denholm, made a playing return. Opener Chris Grievson made a solid start, but when he was second out with the score on 80, this signalled a minor collapse and things looked grim at 106-5. This brought Poll to the crease, where he partnered DHD. Both men contributed very valuable runs; 31 for Pollard and 39 for Hull Denholm. Eventually Tynemouth ended up on 173-9, which was less than their batting merited as many shots into the deep slowed up before the boundary on account of the damp ground, but seemed a par score. When GEMS were 25-3 after 10 overs, with Ed Snelders claiming 2 and Dan Storey the other, it looked as if Tynemouth were favourites. At the halfway stage, Matty Walton had claimed a further 2 victims and GEMS appeared to be on the brink of collapse at 61-5. However, this brought Hassan Raza to the middle and his storming 76* took the game away from the home side. Though Walton claimed another wicket, Tynemouth were always struggling to contain and despite taking the game to the penultimate over, GEMS won by 4 wickets. It was an excellent game of cricket, played in a spirit of competition and sportsmanship that was truly a pleasure to watch.

Unexpectedly, the Midweek Social XI are in with a real chance of winning the NTCL Midweek 3s Division. With two rearranged games remaining, a pair of victories will ensure the title. This encouraging position became clear after an excellent victory over Benwell & Walbottle, in a replayed game after the original fixture had been washed out at the midway point. Bowling first, excellent economic bowling at the start of the innings by captain Dan Storey (2-4) and Joel Hull Denholm (2-14) was built upon by “Jazzy” Geoff Simpson and Rashid “The Power” Hassan’s miserly death bowling, restricting the visitors to 58-6 from their 18 overs. In reply, a belligerent 34* by Jack O’Keefe and a fluent 21* by Evan Hull Denholm, on top of his 3 excellent catches in the first innings, saw Tynemouth home by 10 wickets in 7.4 overs.

Next week, in the last win / lose / draw 110-over games before the NEPL reverts to a final series of five 50-over a side contests, Tynemouth 1s host Chester le Street and the 2s visit Ropery Lane. The Saturday 3s visit Riding Mill, as do the Midweek XI on Wednesday, while the Sunday 3s are at home to the South North Academy.

 

August 8^th, 2021:

On a weekend of mixed results for Tynemouth Cricket Club, the first XI played their full part in an absorbing game against Chester le Street at Preston Avenue. Sadly, despite an encouraging bowling performance from the hosts, the visitors were able to dismiss Tynemouth for 129, to win a relatively low-scoring game by 42 runs, which keeps Tynemouth in 6^th place in the table. The scorecard can be viewed here; https://tynemouth.play-cricket.com/website/results/4603742

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Chester soon found themselves in a spot of bother at 24-2, as firstly Matty Brown and then Owen Gourley had both John Coxon and Andrew Smith caught behind by Joe Snowdon. After bowling 7 overs, skipper Brown assumed his more normal position behind the stumps, while the change bowlers worked hard to make further breakthroughs. Firstly Neil Bennett claimed the prize scalp of Quentin Hughes, before club chair Graeme Hallam rolled back the years either side of lunch, claiming three quick wickets. Owen Gourley deceived George Harrison (42), showing there was something in the way the ball moved off the pitch, leaving Chester in real trouble at 130-7. Some lusty, late order hitting took CLS up to 170, before Josh Koen and Neil Bennett again mopped up the tail. Conditions had helped the bowlers, but this was a good performance with the ball by an under-strength Tynemouth side.

The question of whether the home batting line-up was strong enough to withstand the powerful Chester le Street attack was to receive a detailed investigation. At first, despite the probing spin of Sebastian Hughes-Pinan, it seemed as if Tynemouth could be in with a chance, as openers Ben Debnam and Ben McGhee advanced the score to 44, before Debnam was out leg before. Unfortunately, this produced a mini collapse as Gourley offered a straightforward return catch that Hughes-Pinan gleefully pouched and Brown also perished lbw, both without scoring, while McGhee was caught in the slips after flashing at a wide ball, reducing Tynemouth to 47-4. Joe Snowdon (37), belying his tender years, then assumed responsibility for guiding the response and played an excellent innings. Support was offered briefly by Josh Koen (11), but when Patrick Hallam was sixth out with the score on 78, defeat seemed imminent.

Despite the pervasive broiling clouds and intermittent spots of rain, the weather did not come to Tynemouth’s rescue. Instead Graeme Hallam (30) eschewed risible thoughts of batting for 65 overs to secure a losing draw and produced some fireworks to keep the large crowd, bolstered by several hundred denim and leather-clad Harley Davidson enthusiasts enjoying their annual camping jamboree on the back field, entertained. After Hallam and then Snowdon fell, the end was inevitable, though within 10 minutes of the last wicket, the ground was strafed with punishing, torrential rain, which caused the Sunday 3s game with South North to be abandoned because of a waterlogged outfield.

Tynemouth 2s had a satisfactory week. Thursday saw their replayed Roseworth Trophy tie with Newcastle switched to Preston Avenue. Batting first, Newcastle were restricted to 105-5, with James Carr (3-25) outstanding with the ball. In reply, Tynemouth eased to a 5-wicket win with 3 overs to spare. Top scorers were Snowdon and Andrew Lineham with 23 each. The reward for this victory is an away semi-final against South North on Tuesday 17 August. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the 2s had a tough time in the field at Ropery Lane, where Chester le Street 2s ran up an impressive 244-3 in 44 overs. Adam Williams (3-65) showed commendable fortitude in sticking to his task for the fielding side. In response, Tynemouth had reached 114-5 from 36 overs, with Dan Thorburn (51) and Lineham (24*) grittily keeping the innings afloat, before rain intervened, and a draw was declared. This leaves Tynemouth in 8^th spot in the table and the score card can be viewed here; https://tynemouth.play-cricket.com/website/results/4604773

The 3s journeyed to Riding Mill with only 9 players, including Neil “Cuddles” Sturrock drafted in from the Midweek XI. The home side batted first and posted 160-6 from their 40 overs.  Martin Pollard, in his second game back after serious illness, led the way with 3-30 from his 9 overs. Additionally, he contributed 46 with the bat, backing up Anthony Turner’s sparkling 66. However, this was not enough as when James Waller fell, 8^th down from the first ball of the 40^th over with the scores level, Sturrock was left stranded at the other end.

Ironically, the Midweek XI had also been at Riding Mill on the Wednesday before, but came away with a more encouraging result, winning by 10 runs. Batting first, a score of 97-8 was achieved courtesy of dogged determination on a bowlers’ strip. Lewis Robson top scored with 27, including three enormous maximums, while Jazzy Geoff Simpson (14) played his part, before Richard Hay (11*) and Paul Clark (9*) provided invaluable runs at the end of the innings. Impressively economical bowling by James Carr (2-17) and Richard Hay (1-13), bowling some wonderful stuff in tandem as a kind of 8-eyed elegant bowling machine, supported by Rashid Hassan (1-20), saw Tynemouth home, despite the minor tremor of conceding 3 successive 6s in the antepenultimate over. As a result, Tynemouth go to their final game at Ashington Rugby on Thursday, knowing victory will mean they are champions of the NTCL Midweek 3s league.

Next week, the 1s and 2s revert to 50-over a side win / lose games. The first XI host Benwell Hill and the 2s journey to Denton Bank. The Saturday 3s try to secure points in their quest to catch leaders GEMS 2s, when visiting Whitley Bay 2s. The Sunday 3s host Blaydon and, as mentioned, the Midweek XI have their title decider away to Ashington Rugby.

August 15^th, 2021:

In the first of the final five 50-overs-a-side win/lose NEPL games, Tynemouth CC first XI were comprehensively outplayed by Benwell Hill at Preston Avenue. A warm and sunny day greeted the two teams along with a dry wicket and a lightning fast outfield. Home skipper Matt Brown called correctly and elected to bat first and, with several players missing, decided to open with former skipper Ben Debnam. Brown hit a couple of lovely boundaries before being adjudged leg before wicket for 12. Andrew Smith joined Debnam in the middle and they put on a promising partnership of 40 before Debnam clipped one to mid-wicket off the bowling of Joe Torre for 27. From a reasonable 57-2 Tynemouth collapsed to 102 all out with only Smith (27) offering any significant resistance. Torre with 4-30 was the pick of the Hill bowling. In reply Scotland Captain Kyle Coetzer made an eye catching 57 not out, never looking in trouble and Angus Guy offered good support with a composed 25.

Tynemouth 2s fared little better in their away game at Denton Bank.  Having won the toss and elected to field, Tynemouth would have been reasonably pleased to restrict The Hill to 211 all out. Chris Beever was the pick of the bowlers with 4-29, ably supported by Graeme Hallam (3-49). In response, Dan Thorburn (24) and Patrick Hallam (19) gave the Tynemouth reply a firm foundation, but after they were out at 55-2, wickets tumbled at a rate of knots. Only Graeme Hallam (20) provided any tangible resistance as the visitors were skittled for 95, to lose by 116 runs.

There was some good news from the Saturday 3s, who travelled to Whitley Bay 2s and beat them by 7 wickets, despite being so short of numbers that 57 year old ian cusack was handed his debut. Bay won the toss and decided to bat, compiling 133-7. Rashid “The Power” Hassan claimed 4 wickets at the end of the innings, after Richie Hay, Evan Hull Denholm and Dan Storey had all bowled economically, without necessarily obtaining the results their endeavours deserved. The reply was anchored by Hull Denholm’s fluent 46, with Hassan’s belligerent 28 helping Tynemouth home with plenty of overs to spare. The 3s remain in second place in NTCL Division 5 South, 30 points behind GEMS 2s, with 4 games remaining. Despite only fielding, it was wonderful to be part of the clubs victory.

 

The club’s first silverware of the season was claimed by the Midweek Social XI who won the NTCL Midweek 3s Division after beating Ashington Rugby on Thursday night. Fielding first, Tynemouth produced some tight bowling, with Andrew Davision (2-3) excelling with and skipper Dan Storey supporting with 1-9. ian cusack (2-29) was more expensive, but took two important wickets as Ashington Rugby finished on 65-7. The response appeared to be wobbling at 19-3, but “Jazzy” Geoff Simpson (25*) and Lewis Robson (18*) saw Tynemouth home by 7 wickets to claim the title in the team’s first season in this league. This was a wonderful feeling; eclipsing anything Ive ever known related to football.

Next week, Tynemouth first XI play host to South Northumberland on Saturday, while the 2s make the return trip. The 2s are also in action away to South North in a Roseworth Trophy semi-final on Tuesday evening, with an earlier 5.30pm start.  Finally, Tynemouth Saturday 3s are away to Cowgate Sports 2s.

August 22^nd, 2021:

Rain stopped play.

August 29^th, 2021:

After the previous week’s washout, all three of Tynemouth Cricket Club’s Saturday teams were in action at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend, with a majority positive set of results seeing two victories and one loss. Unfortunately, the defeat that was inflicted on the first XI was a resounding one at Sacriston, against a home team fighting hard to avoid relegation.

The day could hardly have started any worse for stand in skipper Ben Debnam who was run out for a duck in the very first over, without facing a ball.  The Tynemouth top order then offered little resistance to the pace of Stanley McAlindon and the guile of Martin Hubber. Some good ground fielding and sharp catching by the Sacriston team reduced the Seasiders to 37-4 then 49-5. Whilst wickets continued to tumble, Chris Fairley was the one player to show the required technique and patience to build an innings at this level. His 37 was full of sound defence, good leaves and attacking pulls and drives when the opportunities arose. He was ninth man out but a score of 111 appeared well under par on a pacy wicket, a fast outfield, and short boundaries. And so it proved as Sacriston raced to victory in just 16.1 overs for the loss of 1 wicket. Jonny Bushnell was easy on the eye for his 46 no and Martin Hubber stroked the ball around for a fluent 51* adding to his fine spell earlier of 2-22 from his 10 overs. This defeat leaves Tynemouth in 7^th place in the NEPL Premier Division table with 2 games to go.

Meanwhile at Preston Avenue, Tynemouth 2s and 3s were successful in their contests against Sacriston 2s and Lintz 2s respectively. In the case of the second team, this did not appear likely after the visitors dismissed Tynemouth for 132. Extras top scored with 32, but in the context of such a low-scoring game, Chairman Graeme Hallam’s 23, as well as a brace of 18s by skipper Andrew Davison and Director of Cricket Andrew Lineham, were invaluable contributions. Indeed, Lee Reed’s sparking 11, including a pair of elegant boundaries, was pivotal in giving Tynemouth a total to bowl at. In the end, Chris Beever (4-26) and Richie Hay (4-31) led the team to victory by 19 runs, with the 2s now in 7^th place in the NEPL Division 2 table with two league games to go.

Sadly, the previous week’s downpour has rendered Tynemouth 3s hopes of promotion from NTCL Division 5 South merely academic. Table toppers GEMS 2s benefitted from the climate’s intercession, as their opponents Greenside, who currently sit third in the table, were the only outfit who could realistically have made things difficult for them while Tynemouth 3s would have backed themselves to get the better of Cowgate Sports 2s. Instead, GEMS went into this weekend’s games with a 30-point lead over Tynemouth, as well as an imminent 30 more points after their opponents this weekend, Riding Mill, conceded.

Despite being denuded of a swathe of younger players, all of whom were enjoying Sam Fender’s performance at the Leeds Festival, an ad hoc XI, proved their mettle by restricting Lintz to 124-7. While the economical Ed Snelders was crucial in limiting Lintz to 3 runs an over, the highlight of the game was a hat trick, claimed by Martin Pollard. Considering the heights Poll has reached in his cricket career, it was perhaps surprising that this was his first ever hat trick. While his last 2 victims were both bowled, his first came courtesy of a stunning catch at extra cover by ian cusack, making up somewhat for his expensive bowling. Frankly, taking the catch was one of my favourite ever sporting moments; the elation engendered by the realisation the ball was no longer spinning, but wholly under my control, almost provoked tears. I’m glad I held it, not just for me, but for my mate Poll, as it is a marvel to see him playing cricket again after what he’s been through. Also, my 4 overs for 21 weren’t too bad; I really ought to have had an LBW, hitting the lad on is pad about a quarter way up middle stump.

In response, Reuven Snowdon got Tynemouth off to a brisk start, smiting anything in his range for a quickfire 17. Skipper Chris Grieveson played a strong supporting role, while Lewis Robson (46) contributed an elegant innings, before an explosive cameo from Neil Sturrock, who brought the game home with some fiery hitting, including a match-winning six.

Next week, Tynemouth first XI host Eppleton, while the 2s visit Boldon and the 3s are on the road to Annfield Plain. Also, the 2s face Benwell Hill in the final of the Roseworth Trophy at Preston Avenue on Sunday 5^th September with a 1.00pm start.

September 5^th, 2021:

On the penultimate Saturday of the season, Tynemouth CC’s first XI finally hit some form, after a wretched couple of months, soundly defeating Eppleton by 65 runs at a chilly, cloudy Preston Avenue. Having been invited to bat first, things were not immediately encouraging for the home side, with both openers Ben McGee and Ben Debnam dismissed with 22 on the board. However, skipper Matty Brown looked in excellent touch, being supported first by Barry Stewart (18) and then by Joe Snowdon, to give the scoreboard a healthier look at 126-3. Unfortunately, at this point, a calamitous mix up saw Brown run out for 48 after losing his footing when being sent back by Snowdon. Thankfully, young Joe made amends with his bat and was the side’s top scorer with 49, missing out on a half century after feathering a catch to wicket keeper Musther. Other batsmen were not so solicitous with their wickets and several poor dismissals left Tynemouth in some peril on 169 at the fall of the ninth wicket. At this point, Dan McGee was joined by Martin Pollard, fresh from a few warm-up appearances for the 3s, following his major knee reconstructive surgery. Pollard and McGee batted intelligently to take the score on to 195, which seemed a reasonable total in the circumstances and certainly a better effort than the 1s have made of late.

In response, Eppleton were soon rocking, as Owen Gourley and Andrew Smith tore the heart out of the opposition batting line-up, reducing the visitors to a paltry 24-6. Each bowler claimed 3 victims, with the inspiring agility of Pollard enabling the veteran campaigner to pouch two excellent slip catches.  To Eppleton’s credit, they did not run up the white flag and recovered to 129-7, when skipper Brown, enjoying an afternoon off from keeping duties, brought himself on to clean up the tail, resulting in Eppleton’s subsequent dismissal for 130 and Tynemouth cementing 7^th place in the NEPL Premier Division table. One interesting passage of play saw Dan McGee twice denied a wicket, in successive balls. Firstly, a high full toss saw Ryan Downes caught on the boundary, only for the square leg umpire to rule the delivery a no ball on the grounds of height, before Dan bowled the same player with the very next ball which was, sadly, a free hit and so the Tynemouth left arm slow bowler was twice foiled. Unlucky Dan!

Tynemouth 2s visited Boldon, who appear to be certainties for relegation from the NEPL. In an entertaining game, Tynemouth batted first and scored 298 from their 45 overs, with half centuries by Chris Beever, Adam Williams and A N Other, as well as 48 from 13-year-old Robbie Bowman. In reply, Boldon made a spirited attempt, before subsiding to approximately 240 all out. Details are sketchy as the scores are not on Play Cricket as yet.

 

On Sunday, the 2s had another game, when Benwell Hill 2s provided the opposition in the Roseworth Trophy final at Preston Avenue.  Batting first, The Hill accrued 119-7, with two wickets apiece for Neil Bennett, Sam Robson and Adam Williams. In reply, Andrew Lineham top scored with a dogged 25 and Niall Piper contributed a valuable 23, but wickets fell in regular intervals to some accurate Hill bowling and Tynemouth were consequently dismissed for 102 in the penultimate over. Well done to Benwell Hill, who were deserved winners on the day.

Tynemouth 3s travelled to Annfield Plain and restricted the home side to 132 all out. The highlight of the innings was Dan Storey returning magnificent figures of 7-2-7-5 and then contributing a solid 21, when opening the batting. Rashid “The Power” Hassan made a pugnacious 39, but he and Storey were the only players to reach double figures as Tynemouth were dismissed for 98, meaning they drop to 3^rd in the NTCL Division 5 South table.

Next week is the final weekend of the season. Tynemouth 1s visit Whitburn and the 2s host the reverse fixture, while the 3s conclude their campaign with a trip to Newcastle’s newest and furthest out ground, South Hetton.

September 11^th, 2021

Tynemouth Cricket Club ended the 2021 campaign with a brace of praiseworthy victories over Whitburn 1s and 2s on Saturday 11^th September. The first XI travelled to the Village Ground, which was looking particularly glorious in the late summer sun and dismissed the home team for 159. Owen Gourley led the attack with an impressive spell of 3-33, ably supported by Martin Pollard (2-29) and Matthew Brown (2-24), whose victims included the dangerous Jack Burnham. In response, Tynemouth had some initial difficulties with Dan Thorburn, Barry Stewart and Joe Snowdon all falling cheaply. However Ben McGee, eventually harshly given out LBW for 22, and skipper Matty Brown steadied the ship, although at 99-4 the result was still a matter for conjecture.

Andrew Smith, who had bowled steadily but without luck in his 10 overs, came to the wicket at this point and appeared a man possessed, channelling his hitherto undiscovered Liam Livingstone tendencies. Timing the ball beautifully, he played the dominant role in a match-winning unbroken partnership of 63, hitting 8 boundaries in his 43*, while Brown (53*) completed an excellent season with the bat, having scored 587 runs in his 16 NEPL innings. The result means Tynemouth finish in 6^th place in the NEPL Premier Division table, which is an adequate reflection of a season that contained many ups and downs.

Tynemouth 2s hosted their Whitburn counterparts and made 179 all out in 44 overs. Sam Robson ended the campaign with a personal season’s top score of 83, with only Chris Beever (20) making a significant supporting contribution. In response, Whitburn were dismissed for 147 after 36 overs. Bowling plaudits are due to: Joel Hull-Denholm (3-16), Graeme Hallam (3-22) and Richard Hay (2-28) as the 2s also finish in 6th place in NEPL Division 2, which is an accurate reflection of their efforts this summer.

Unfortunately, the 3s were unable to raise a side and sadly conceded to Newcastle 3s, which means the team finishes in third position in the NTCL Division 5 South. We only had 6, including me, so the Angus Sibbett Memorial Trophy remains uncontested.