No Run

 You think England are in a bit of bother at the T20 World Cup? Try checking on the form of Tynemouth 3s...

May 18^th:

For just over an hour on Friday 17^th May, spectators at Preston Avenue were treated to a glorious display of pugilistic batting by the home side as they took on Ashington in the NEPL T20 group stage opening fixture. Having recovered from the loss of cup skipper Matt Kimmitt first ball and Aussie Josh Moors for a 2-ball 6, Matty Brown got things moving with an 18-ball 31, ably supported by Robbie Bowman (18). It was then the fireworks began with debutant Bill Meacock (54*) and Joe Snowdon (35*) putting on an unbroken 94, taking Tynemouth to 150/4 after 16 overs when a new kind of Baz Ball intervened. The sea fret than enveloped the ground was redolent of Rathbone-era Sherlock Holmes flicks, such as The Hound of the Baskervilles and, with visibility down to a couple of feet, the umpires were left with no option but to abandon the game. A great shame as a sizeable crowd had been enjoying the explosive hitting on display.

On Saturday morning, Tynemouth 1s were at home again. The first home league game of the season saw a strong looking Felling team as the opposition. This was the first time the new terrace was used by spectators and whilst still to be completed, it has transformed the area in front of the Pavilion. Huge thanks to Marcus Turner and Pete Brown for their efforts from everyone at the Club. For the second week in a row we saw a terrific game of cricket and a scarcely believable run chase from the home side, as Tynemouth (271/2) beat Felling (267/7) by 8 wickets.

Felling Captain Seb Allison won the toss and decided to have a bat first on a day of sun then fret, more sun and more fret. The wicket looked flat and true and was enjoyed by all the batters on the day. It was hard yakka for the bowlers! The excellent Travis Norris opened for Felling, but his partner Alan Mustard went early for just 1 run, caught behind by Robbie Bowman off Barry Stewart. Norris was joined by Tyler Easton and the pair put together an impressive 95 run partnership. Norris seemed in control. Solid in defence and then opening his shoulders when given any opportunity. Several shots through mid-wicket were full of authority.  However the switch to spin proved crucial for Tynemouth skipper Martin Pollard, as Aussie Josh Moors had Norris caught and bowled in his first over for a quality 68 off just 59 balls.

This was a good spell for Tynemouth as Moors and Pollard slowed down the scoring rate and took the wickets of Alasdair Appleby, Jordan Watson and Tyler Easton leaving the game nicely poised at 150 /5. Eddie Hurst then joined skipper Allison and the team put the tiring Tynemouth bowlers and fielders to the sword with a partnership of 117 in quick time. Hurst was neat and tidy with a few nudges here and the odd big shot too, but it was Allison who really stole the show with a terrific innings of 80 off just 54 balls. A couple of mighty straight hits send rugby players and spectators scattering over at Percy Park who were hosting their annual 7 a side competition. Pollard and Stewart were perhaps the pick of the bowlers; the latter ending with 3/34, but this was a tough day, and several dropped catches didn’t help. 267 looked a big score and it was Felling who were confident of victory at the break.

A good start for the home team was essential if they had any chance and it was provided in the form of Ben Debnam and Matt Kimmitt. Debnam looked back to his positive and decisive best and along with the flowing Kimmitt took the score to 92, before Kimmitt was clean bowled by the experienced Paul Leonard for 40 and soon after Debnam was bowled for 39 with the score at 103/2 and the chase very much on.

Matt Brown joined Robbie Bowman and the two put together a top class undefeated match winning partnership of 168. Brown was in imperious form from the start combining power with great timing and striking the ball to all corners of the field. 5 sixes and 7 fours were a joy to watch for the decent crowd enjoying the best of the day’s weather. Bowman, at just 16 years of age, played with great maturity. Settling in at first before going through the gears when the rate went to around 7.5 per over. A watching Glen Harrison, father of Freddie and very involved at the excellent Esher CC who play in the Surrey PL was watching his first NEPL game and could not have picked a better one to watch. He, along with the rest of us there, will remember this game for some time and especially the special partnership between Bowman and Brown. Chapeau! The win takes Tynemouth to joint second in the League with 2 wins from 2 a good start to the season. Next week the Club is away to Benwell Hill. Here is a copy of the full scorecard

 https://nepremierleague.play-cricket.com/website/results/6177845

Across at High Heworth Lane, Tynemouth 2s shaded a tight contest by 6 runs over their Felling counterparts. Batting first, Tynemouth made 236/6, with Marcus Turner the undoubted star. Following on from last week’s unbeaten 75, he posted a superb 101. Support was provided by Chris Fairley (33) and Dan McGee, while young George Stewart’s unbeaten 18 should not be ignored. In reply, Felling (230/7) fell agonisingly short. On the weekend that Ben Stokes returned to the domestic game, it was perhaps fitting that the man who made the England captain the star he is today, the elegant James Carr, made his first appearance of the season. His 2/51 may have been expensive, but he was the most successful of Tynemouth’s bowlers.

Tynemouth 3s hosted Lions at Prior’s Park, to accommodate the Percy Park 7s tournament on the back field at Preston Avenue. Sady, the change of location brought no change of fortune, despite the astute tactical services to dispense with the previously ever present ian cusack. Batting first, Lions made 178/8. Ed Snelders (1/17) and Dan Storey (1/14) were economic, while Andrw Davison (4/50) was successful but expensive. In reply, the 3s subsided to 92 all out. Interim skipper Chris Beever (33) again top scored, but only Hamish Swaddle-Scott (20) gave any support as the innings crumbled. Tynemouth Sunday 3s (169/6) lost by 2 runs to sunderland (171/9). Joel Hull-Denholm (3/34) and Lewis Gault (3/15) were the pick of the bowlers, while Hull-Denholm (88) and Sean Aditjandra (43) top scored in a chase that saw them fall agonisingly short.

Tynemouth women’s softball cricket teams were in action on Sunday 12th May. It was organised as a double header so that both the teams were playing at the same time. The Gems are in the South Northumberland league and the Willows are in the North Northumberland league. Unfortunately Alnwick conceded their game against the Willows, but the Gems had their first fixture of the season hosting Riding Mill. They opted to field after winning the toss and made a great start keeping the visitors to 53 runs and took 5 wickets. Keeping level heads the pairs batted well and consistently with several 4’s being scored. They finished on 132 runs and only lost 1 wicket. On Sunday 19^th 10 of our players travelled to Corbridge to compete in the first women’s softball festival of the season. We were drawn to play against, South North, Stocksfield and Bates Cottages. Following a great team effort, we won all of our games and were over all winners on the day.

I wasn’t selected for the 3s game against Lions, on account of the fact it was a home game and therefore availability was far higher than usual, so I took the opportunity to have a day off the cricket and saw my final game of the football season, Gosforth Bohemians 4 Newcastle University A 4, which I blogged about the other week: payaso de mierda: Bohemian Rhapsody (payaso-de-mierda.blogspot.com)

 May 25^th:

Tynemouth first team has made a good start to the season. On Saturday they travelled to Denton Bank to play Benwell Hill and came away with another win, by a margin of 95 runs; a result that puts them second in the table with three wins from three matches.

After more heavy rain in the days leading up to the game there were concerns it might not get played. However, a combination of lots of sun on the Saturday morning and positive efforts from the home team’s ground staff ensured we got a game played, though the outfield remained soft throughout the day and the wicket was green throughout. Not a typical Hill wicket but one that produced a good contest between bat and ball. Home skipper Pete Halliday won the toss and not surprisingly decided to have a bowl first. Ben Debnam took first guard and had Matt Kimmitt as his opening partner once again. At first the pair were cautious whilst assessing conditions though slowly but surely they began to play more positively, especially Kimmitt whose footwork was exemplary.

Luke Mussett and Callum Harding opened the bowling and Mussett bowled well without much luck until he produced an away swinger that touched the edge of Debnam’s bat and was well caught by skipper Halliday at first slip for 15 to leave Tynemouth at 45/1. Not long after Kimmitt was caught at mid-wicket for a well-made 42 and when Robbie Bowman top edged a sweep shot, he was caught on the boundary for 12, the score was 95 /3. Matt Brown and Josh Moors then got together and looked to counterattack. Moors was aggressive from the start going after the bowling with real intent. His innings of 33 off just 26 balls included two sixes and two fours, but he maybe went for one big shot too many and was bowled by Max Williamson. Brown continued to play with real authority, but wickets began to fall at the other end as Overseas Pro Yash Kothari put the brakes on proceedings. 147/3 at one point became 177/7 and Brown was running out of partners. This was when the experienced Barry Stewart arrived at the crease and played a great hand. A simple plan of working the ball into gaps and hitting the occasional bad ball complimented the positive play of Matty Brown who top scored with a terrific innings of 69 off just 74 balls and including five maximums. Sean Longstaff also played with a lot of common-sense helping Barry Stewart take the final score to 240, as Stewart made a valuable 28. Kothari, Mussett and Williamson took a couple of wickets each but at the close of innings it was Tynemouth who looked the happier side with such a good score on the board.

The experienced Phil Bell and Durham Academy Player Hayden Mustard opened up for the Hill and were faced by Tynemouth’s opening attack of Sean Longstaff and Barry Stewart. Mustard seemed in a hurry but after clipping a lovely six off his legs he was tempted into a ball that lifted a touch off a length and he was well held by Matt Brown at slip off the bowling of Longstaff. This was an impressive return as he ran in with good rhythm and decent pace to unsettle the top order. Ranji Trophy batter Kothari came to the crease and a big innings was needed. However, Longstaff had him adjudged lbw for just 7 leaving the innings in trouble at 37/2 and with two key players back in the hutch. This confident and young Tynemouth team were in no mood to let up. Matty Brown replaced Barry Stewart at the West Road end and he found good lines and lengths and also the edge of Joe Anderson’s bat, a nice catch from the standing Bowman. Josh Moors replaced Longstaff, and he accounted for the wickets of the determined Bell and skipper Halliday in consecutive overs leaving the Hill in big trouble at 67/5.

Rory Hanley and William Archbold put together a partnership of 40 but once again Moors did the trick tempting Archbold out of his crease only to sky the ball to the waiting Longstaff. Freddie Harrison was now bowling in tandem with Moors and the two leggies were showing off their skills. There are not many moving parts with a Moors delivery, but he bowls with decent pace and good control for a leggy. Attacks the pad and the stumps. Harrison is quite different in his approach. Lots of arm movement and a somewhat swirling approach to the crease. Both were in form here though and between them picked up 7/52 from 17 overs to ensure the Tynemouth victory was a comfortable one. A word also for two fine young wicket keepers today in Hayden Mustard and Robbie Bowman. No surprise both are attached to Durham CCC. Mustard’s dive and grab to dismiss Barry Stewart was terrific as was a diving catch by Bowman standing up to Josh Moors to dismiss Dan Gardner. Tynemouth’s fielding was enthusiastic, and all of the bowlers did their jobs in a good all-round performance.

Simultaneously, Tynemouth 2s entertained the Hill 2s at Preston Avenue. Batting first, the home team were indebted to Marcus Turner (77), who remains in phenomenal form after his return to competitive cricket. He was ably supported by brother Anthony (27) and Wallsend-born Graeme Hallam (25) in a slightly disappointing total of 159/8. In reply, the Hill knocked off the runs for the loss of 2 wickets, both taken by the mature Hallam.

The Saturday 3s were inactive as their away game against Newcastle 3s was their fifth cancellation on account of inclement weather; a fate that also befell the Sunday 3s game against Whitburn Academy. However, Monday did see the 3s in some form of action, in the shape of a curtailed contest against Newcastle Superkings at Tantobie. Batting first, Richy Hay’s side, including the inexplicably recalled ian cusack, made a modest 59/7 from 20 overs. Skipper Hay top scored with a pugnacious 18, given good support by the watchful Ewan Aditjandra (13). The two of them made an impression during the Super Kings’ reply, with the first two wickets being excellent catches by Aditjandra off the bowling of Hay. If the talk of Tynemouth CC on Saturday was the performance of Sean Longstaff, then on Monday it was the bowling of Sean Aditjandra that was the topic on everyone’s lips. After an elegant first ball dismissal, he somewhat made up for things by bowling Krishnan, with an unplayable and almost indescribable delivery on leg stump. It was to be Tynemouth’s last success, as Super Kings won by 7 wickets with 9 overs to spare.

On the Saturday, I actually spent the time indoors, watching the FA Cup final for the first time in years, but I did get out the house on Monday, to play for the 3s away in far flung Tantobie. I joked the other year that I ought to write a guidebook to North West Durham (no doubt soon to be known as the Mossad-controlled exclave of Tel Akehurst), as I’ve played at Annfield Plain, Consett, Greenside, Leadgate, Lintz, Shotley Bridge and now Tantobie, for the 3s. One of the things I love most about the 3s is going to grounds I’ve never been to before and will probably never visit again, such as this one, which may be unique in the fact it hosts clubs in both the Durham Cricket League (Tantobie) and NTCL (Newcastle Super Kings). One thing that is definite about this place is that I

it really is a long way from home and very high up. Frankly, considering how it was banging it down in Tynemouth, I was amazed we had a game to go to, but we did manage an uninterrupted spell of play, once we got started. Chad was my chauffeur and we arrived considerably earlier than we did at Leadgate. At which point I nearly passed out as I realised Newcastle Super Kings included several of the Cowgate side I had issues with last season. However, you’ll be delighted to know I behaved impeccably and shook hands after the game. I suppose it helped that we got absolutely walloped.

June 1^st:

After months of unceasing rain, June ushered in the first Saturday of Summer with clear blue skies, a gentle breeze and warm temperatures. Ideal cricketing weather, but unfortunately, the two sides turned out by Tynemouth CC that played at Preston Avenue fell to defeats.

Commencing their run of red ball win / lose / draw fixtures, Tynemouth 1s batted first when entertaining Burnopfield, but were only able to post a disappointing 145 all out from 41 overs. That modest total was made possible by excellent knocks from Matty Brown (42) and Robbie Bowman (35), who both played with trademark verve and attacking intent. Joe Snowdon (19) also contributed, but none of the others made a meaningful score.

Tynemouth’s attempt at bowling out the visitors was hampered when Barry Stewart was injured in his second over. At the other end, Sean Longstaff bowled 15 beautiful overs unchanged from the golf course end, returning figures of 15-2-39-4, including a sublime caught and bowled to dismiss Freddie Geffen. Sadly, Tynemouth’s coterie of spinners were unable to make inroads and Burnopfield, largely on account of Ben McKinney’s glorious unbeaten 92, came home by 5 wickets in the 34^th over.

Meanwhile, Tynemouth Saturday 3s hosted Greenside 2s. In a game where scoring runs proved to be beyond the ken of even the Galacticos line-up the 3s were able to name, Tynemouth managed 81 all out from 32 overs. The single batting point accrued was mainly down to a stellar contribution of 28 by Extras. Well done also to skipper Richy Hay who hit his side’s only boundary, not to mention Dom Askins (13) and Dan Storey (10*). Despite the best efforts of Chris Beever (4-37), Greenside scored the runs in an even more funereal 34 overs, to win by 4 wickets.

Tynemouth 2s travelled to Gateshead Fell on Saturday in their first 105 over game of the season but lost by 20 runs in a disappointing display.  Captain Chris Fairley, who we are to thank for penning this section of the report, had no hesitation in bowling first and, despite some early resistance from the attacking Muthe and the stubborn duo of Meek Junior and Senior, this initially appeared to be a good decision. Andrew Smith and Josh Koen opened the bowling, and both settled in well, troubling the batters regularly. The introduction of 13 year old George Stewart, brought about the key wicket of Meek Senior. Wickets started to fall regularly after his departure, with Bennett taking 3 wickets and at one stage the Fell were struggling at 81-7. Unfortunately, Tynemouth were unable to capitalise, and the Fell managed some crucial late order partnerships to post a competitive total of 129 all out on a tricky surface. Smith finished with 3 wickets, Koen 1 (in a 14 over spell) and Robson 1, with Robson also involved in a sharp run out.

Fairley and Patrick Hallam opened for Tynemouth, but the innings got off to the worst possible start when Fairley was adjudged lbw in the first over. Hallam, Hull-Denholm and the man in form, Marcus Turner, all shortly followed. Tynemouth were in further trouble at 20-5 when Smith was bowled by Angus. Andrew Linehan, return to the scene of his viral internet downfall, was harshly given out lbw for the second week running, before Sam Robson and Koen showed application and patience to put on 40 before Robson was bowled. Graeme Hallam came to the crease and he and Koen continued to defy the Fell’s bowling and Tynemouth had some hope before Hallam was trapped lbw with the score just under 100. Koen was bowled for a battling 30 soon after and Tynemouth were ultimately dismissed for 109. Tynemouth taking only 4 bowling points from the game. The Sunday 3s claimed their first win of the season away to Ashington, where George Stewart (95*) was the star of the show.

Again, a stellar line-up for the 3s meant my services were not required, but with Vince on holiday, someone had to do the 1s report, which I dutifully did, watching the two sides lose almost simultaneously. I was glad I went down though, as it gave me a chance to catch up with the likes of Strez and Jimmy Carr, who I’d hardly seen all season, other than in B&Q in the latter’s case, where he helpfully guided me to the Polyfilla aisle. It was another deeply disappointing result, but I fully accept that my presence in the team wouldn’t have made a blind bit of difference to the eventual outcome.

June 8^th:

A busy week for Tynemouth Cricket Club started with an 8-wicket win over Percy Main in the Tyneside Charity Bowl on Wednesday 5^th June. Ostensibly a first team competition, availability issues dictated that Tynemouth fielded something of a Carling Cup team. Percy Main batted first and registered 83/5 from their 20 overs, with Neil Bennett bowling an impressively tight spell of 3-1-4-1 and Martin Pollard (2-0-4-1) displaying similar parsimony. Tynemouth, despite the loss of two early wickets, cruised home in a little over 10 overs, courtesy of another fine knock by George Stewart (35*), ably assisted by Patrick Hallam (25*). The next round of the competition sees Tynemouth travel to the atmospheric home of Cramlington Cricket Club on Wednesday 12^th June.

The night after, Tynemouth qualified for the knockout stages of the NEPL T20 Competition despite losing their final group game by 11 runs to South Northumberland at Preston Avenue. South North batted first and made a par score of 143 /9 having recovered from 81/6 and then 100/7. Aussie Pro Tom Rogers made 45 but it was 28 from just 21 balls from David Edwards and 19 from 11 balls from Olly McGee that got their team out of jail with some big shots in the last 3 overs. Owen Gourley returned to form with excellent figures of 4/24 from his 4 overs.

Tynemouth looked likely winners, on reaching 82/3 off 13 overs but no one was able to play the all-important match winning innings. In the end, it was one that rather got away but qualification was secured by finishing second in the Group and they play this Friday 14^th June at Shotley Bridge in the knock out phase of the competition. Unfortunately, a horses for courses policy will not be in operation as ian cusack, who spent an assured evening as an emergency short fine leg in this competition a couple of years ago, is unavailable as he’s playing a gig at some community centre in Blyth. Entry is free, predictably.

Tynemouth’s first team travelled to Gosforth on Saturday to take on South Northumberland, the seemingly perennial NEPL champions. They put on a terrific performance too, outplaying their opponents for large parts of the game and coming away with a deserved winning draw, garnering 17 points in the process. It was a cool, blustery but bright day and the ground was in great shape. Credit to Head Groundsman Craig Thompson for producing a superb wicket and a billiard table outfield that was perfect for cricket. Home skipper Adam Cragg won the toss and decided to have a bowl first and look to chase down any first innings score.

Ben Debnam found himself with a new opening partner this week, in the shape of Tynemouth debutant Stan McAlindon; a pace bowler and a rookie contracted player with Durham CCC. Returning from injury, he was unable to bowl but showed he is a more than capable batter too. South North opened up with pace at both ends. Big Bash bowler Tom Rogers in full flight at one end and the pacy Sean Tindale at the other. Tindale struck first with a beauty that caught the outside edge of Debnam’s bat and was caught routinely by keeper Rob Peyton. Robbie Bowman then joined McAlindon and both were subjected to some testing bowling with an emphasis on the short stuff.  Both batters showed good technique but had to take a few blows including one that required Bowman to leave the field for a while when on just 3. The in form Matthew Brown then joined McAlindon and they put together a fine partnership of 102 initially seeing off the new ball and then flourishing as things calmed down. McAlindon was a revelation. Standing tall and composed at the crease there’s just a small trigger movement and then a confident move forward or back. A player with a bit of time and like all bowling all-rounders, he loved the chance to bat up the order. Some elegant drives through extra cover and some clips off the pads through mid-wicket perhaps highlights of a most encouraging start for the club. Brown at the other end also found his rhythm combining some lusty blows with elegant drives and sound defence. Just before lunch Tynemouth were in control at 118/1 but then Aussie Pro Rogers returned and took the wickets of Brown, Kimmitt and Moors in rapid succession, changing the momentum back in his sides favour, and leaving the lunch time score at 120/4.

Joe Snowdon joined McAlindon after lunch but also fell to Rogers and Tynemouth were in trouble at 132 /5. It was time for Robbie Bowman to return and face the hostile Rogers. A first bouncer was well left and when a second one arrived Bowman hit it straight into the gardens beyond the boundary for six! He may have been shaken earlier but he was certainly stirred now and showed great batting skills, and a strong mind, to share in a match changing partnership of 67 with McAlindon, taking the score to 199/6. McAlindon will be pleased with his innings of 81 but also a tad frustrated at rather giving his wicket away when a debut century beckoned. Bowman now took over and was in full flow hitting boundaries seemingly at will until he top edged one up in the air and was caught for a wonderful 69 off just 67 balls. Tynemouth were 230/7 now and had a competitive score but Freddie Harrison with 25 and Sean Longstaff with 22 shared in a smart 7th wicket stand of 41 at a run a ball when skipper Martin Pollard declared the innings on 273/8.

Champions have a way though and South North no doubt felt this was a target they could reach on such a good pitch and fast outfield, but they were hit with two early blows as first Simon Birtwistle was caught by Sean Longstaff for just 1 off the bowling of Owen Gourley and then Longstaff followed up by clean bowling Sol Bell for just 4. A perfect start for Tynemouth. Chris Hewison hit a couple of lovely straight drives but was well caught by Freddie Harrison again off Longstaff for 12 leaving the run chase faltering at 32/3. Longstaff was in the middle of a fine spell of accurate and testing pace bowling keeping the ball pitched up and making the batters play. Nikhil Gorantla and Sean Tindale were now together for the home team and slowly got the innings back on track. Gorantla is a fine player. Elegant but solid as a rock and he made his way effortlessly to a half century before inexplicably deciding to hit Matt Brown down the ground and over the top, but mishit it straight to Ben Debnam who took a tumbling catch to dismiss the dangerman. This seemed to rattle South North. Tindale went soon after, caught Brown bowled Harrison for 31, then soon after Matthew Brown bowled Adam Cragg with a beauty leaving the chase in tatters at 118/6 and Tynemouth looking to force a win. However despite setting attacking fields and bowling and fielding well South North held on for the draw finishing on 173/8 at the close. Rogers with 32 off 54 balls their saviour.

All of the Tynemouth bowlers played their part, and the catching today was exemplary. Longstaff 3/53, Brown 2/32 and Harrison 2/46 perhaps the pick. This was another impressive showing from the team and leaves them in 3rd place in the League with a third of the season gone.

Tynemouth 2s hosted their South North counterparts at Preston Avenue and got back to winning ways, triumphing by 4 wickets. Stand in skipper Andrew Smith won the toss and had no hesitation in fielding first. Wickets fell regularly and at one stage South North were struggling at 131/8. However, as often appears to be the case, Tynemouth struggled to take the final two wickets and Ben Sidney-Wilmot (48*) batted maturely to get South North up to a competitive total of 197/8. Wickets were shared around the Tynemouth bowing attack with 8 different options used. Neil Bennett 3/31 off 12 and Dan Thorburn 2/3 off 4 were the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, a good start was crucial and Thorburn (25) and Anthony Turner (30) managed just that, seeing off a testing opening spell and putting on 63 for the first wicket. However, both fell in the space of a few balls and Joel Hull-Denholm (47) and Patrick Hallam (32) had to rebuild. Tynemouth looked in control at 130/2 when Hallam was out caught. A quickfire 26 from George Stewart got Tynemouth to within 30 of the total but then Tynemouth lost him, Hull-Denholm and the experienced Lineham in quick succession. This left the game in the balance with all 3 results possible. However, the experienced Smith and Shams saw the 2s home with 8 balls left and 4 wickets remaining to ensure a much needed victory for the home side, with Tynemouth taking 24 points from the game.

Tynemouth Saturday 3s made the short trip to Churchill Playing Fields for El Coastico against Monkseaton and came up just short, losing an absorbing and courteous contest by 15 runs. Fielding first, every one of Tynemouth’s bowlers put in a superb performance. Skipper Richy Hay (1/28) was given great support by Ed Snelders (2/34), both wickets seeing superb catches by Lewis Gault, Dom Askins (1/38), Dan Storey (1/9) and Rohan George (2/13), including a brave caught and bowled that showed the value of his new contact lenses. Unfortunately, on an outfield similar to Murrayfield, where Monkseaton’s Sam Maguire had seen Taylor Swift the night before, rapid scoring was never easy, despite the seemingly modest target of 130. Skipper Hay (55) was at his belligerent best, but his pugnacious knock was not enough, despite brave assistance from last man out Storey (16) and Vishaal Goel (12), with every run coming behind square. Tynemouth were all out for 114 but were far from disgraced.

The Sunday 3s lost a rain-shortened game to Felling by 8 wickets. Batting first, Tynemouth posted 165/5, with George Stewart (46) contributing an astonishing 202 runs in one week for various teams. Joel Hull-Denholm (42) and Sean Aditjandra (27) were also in fine form. Sadly, despite an excellent spell from Emily whiting (1/23), Felling reached their revised target with ease.

Finally, Tynemouth Willows softball side had a local derby away to Tillside. Leaving the rain behind and heading north to glorious sunshine, the Willows won the toss and chose to field first and put Tillside into bat. With some early wickets, and great team work, Tillside finished their innings on 240 and had lost 8 wickets. In return the Willows lost 6 wickets but scored 244 runs in what was a close fought game.

I enjoyed watching the game on Wednesday night, in the company of Fanta, Hallaz and Vince, especially as Bob and Stevie from the football club were just the other side of the fence. Great to see the club bouncing back from Gav Hattrick decamping to West Allotment with the coaching squad and half the players. Good luck to them two divisions higher; they deserve a crack at things for all the good work they put in over the previous 2 years at Purvis Park.

Back to the cricket and I was playing at Monkseaton on Saturday. I had been worried that a certain performative narcissist would be shouting his ill-informed mouth off behind the timbers, but apparently, he’s spat the dummy and flounced off because he got dropped to the 2s. Tell you what; their new wicket keeper is a massive improvement on the fella from Tory NE3. As regards my own contribution, what can I say? I faced one ball, which means I’ve faced 3 so far this season and not scored a run as yet. That’s not a great amount of involvement, considering I’ve also not bowled a ball yet this season. Despite the enormous enjoyment I get from playing, I sense my aches and pains I endure the days after, simply from standing around at backward square or short fine leg, are a sign my body is telling me this should be my last season, as I enter the 8th and final of Erikson's Psychosocial Stages. It seems to be a message my teammates are on board with as well.

There’s nothing positive to be gained from growing old, let me tell you.