Time

An old cricketer has left the crease...

Saturday 3 August:

After last week’s rain ruined fixtures, the sun shone brightly on Tynemouth CC, but sadly only the first XI avoided defeat. Having travelled to High Heworth Lane to face Felling, Tynemouth were given a tough afternoon in the field by the home side, who made hay whilst the sun shone, posting 314/6 from the maximum possible 58 overs. The wickets all went to spinners: Josh Moors (3-102), Dan McGee (2-43) and Martin Pollard (1-50), with the only realistic aim then being to avoid defeat. This they did, posting 229/5 from 52 overs, which was a good effort, having been 80/4 at one stage. The star batters were Joe Snowdon (71*), Matty Brown (67) and Robbie Bowman (48), which helped Tynemouth to reasonable haul of 10 points, leaving them 6^th in a very tight table as we enter the final third of the season.

 

The 2s hosted their Felling counterparts and lost by 6 wickets, having batted first and failed to get enough runs. Tynemouth were dismissed for 178, with runs coming from Josh Koen (43), Patrick Hallam (36) and Dan Thorburn (29). In response, it was a tight game when Tynemouth reduced Felling to 95/4, mainly on account of Dan Storey’s excellent bowling (10-3-28-2), but the visitors found another gear and an unbroken partnership of 88 saw them home with plenty of overs to spare.

On the back field, the 3s fielded another combination of sprightly youth and aged decrepitude against Lions, whose home game it was. They batted first and, despite the very best efforts of Ed Snelders and Rohan “Gorgeous” George, Tynemouth were hampered by a lack of bowling options. Lions, aided by Jay Virpura (166*), posted an imposing 303/4. Clearly, Tynemouth 3s were not going to make this total, despite some thrilling late heroics by ian cusack (1) and subsided to 66 all out after a cautious 37 overs. Special words of congratulations go to Joe McAvelia (22), Archie Goel (14) and Will Bogg for a superb catch. Even in defeat, these young players offer hope of a bright future for the club. The Sunday 3s lost by 15 runs to Burnopfield, despite the best efforts of George Stewart (53), Will Bogg (48), Ben Harland (44*) and Patrick Hallam (37).

Next Saturday, August 10^th, sees the 1s at home to Benwell Hill, the 2s away to the same opposition, the 3s hosting Newcastle and ian cusack’s 60^th birthday in the pavilion at night. All Tynemouth Cricket Club members are invited.

 

I’d always had in the back of my head the sense that this would be my last year as a player, however loosely you wish to employ that term, but it was a shock just how unexpected and unwelcome that retirement was. We’ll get to that in a while, but I need to go on record now and say that I’m delighted how Tynemouth Saturday 3s have developed, almost organically, into a dads and lads XI that ensures we can go on playing at this level for a couple more years at least. As Skipper Richy Hay has told me on numerous occasions, you can’t make people play and, in the absence of viable options anywhere else, the Boggs, the Goels, the Harlands, the Hursts and the Aditjandras offer the club some reliable drivers (in the vehicular sense) at least. During the latter part of the season, we came to rely on various combinations of these siblings and family units to turn out a team.

That didn’t happen today. We got thoroughly obliterated by some savage hitting. I sent down 4 overs for about a million and made my first run at home, on what was to be my last ever appearance at Tynemouth CC. There was even the indignity of being called for a no ball when I managed to squeeze one between the legs of their big hitter and clip middle stump. I really could have burst into tears, but I just got on with it. I tried bowling to my field, seeing one drop down disappear about ten yards over the head of the lad at deep square and another flighted delivery neatly bisecting long on and long off, one bounce over the rope. Being told, ever so gently, to take a spell at my back I heard time's wingèd chariot hurrying near, in what was to be my penultimate game.

Saturday 10 August:

Another tough weekend for Tynemouth CC with none of the 4 weekend teams being able to claim a victory. The first XI did have the consolation of losing a classic encounter with Benwell Hill at Preston Avenue, where over 600 runs were scored on a batter’s dream of a pitch, no doubt aided by simply glorious weather that made it a joy to bat and to watch proceedings.

The home side batted first and posted an imposing 302/7 from 53 overs. The total included excellent contributions from Ben Debnam (53), Stan Mcalindon (35), Matty Brown (24) and Josh Moors (22*), but the real highlight was a stellar knock of 134 by Robbie Bowman. Statisticians would be deeply impressed by this glorious century including 10 maximums and 10 boundaries, meaning exactly 100 of his runs came from balls going over the rope. Enormous congratulations to this young man who seems to get better by the week.

However, the declaration gave Benwell Hill 57 overs to make the runs required, a task they achieved from 54.1, largely because of an unbeaten 171 by opener Yash Kothari. Tynemouth’s bowlers gave their everything, with Phil Morse (3/78) doing his bit on his return to first team action, but the momentum was with the Hill, and they closed in on a seemingly impregnable target with less than 3 overs to spare. Well done to both teams; cricket really was the winner in this instance.

In the reverse fixture at Denton Bank, a much changed Tynemouth 2s side did well to restrict Benwell Hill to 220 all out. Neil Bennett (3/29) lead the way, with great support from Oliver Hiscott (2/6) and Andrew Smith (2/43). Praise is also due for Richy Hay (1/37), Ed Snelders (1/38), George Bogg (1/18) and Rohan George, who stepped up to come to the assistance of a seriously depleted Tynemouth 2s. Sadly, in response, the innings ended on 150 all out. Marcus Turner (39) and Chad Koen (38) lead the way, with assistance from Bennett (24), Smith (19) and Hay (15), proving them to be almost as valuable with the bat as with the ball, but the victory went to the home side.

Because of a lack of availability, Tynemouth 3s were forced to concede their home game against Newcastle 3s. The Sunday 3s lost to Tynedale by 6 wickets. Batting first, they were dismissed for89, with Zach Larner (37) the only batsman in double figures. The visitors scored the runs for the loss of 4 wickets with Lewis Gault (2/5) making the best of things for Tynemouth.

This was the day of my 60^th birthday party which, I must say, was one of the best nights of my entire life. To be in a room with 80 or so people who I love dearly and who have all improved my life massively over the years, was a truly humbling experience. I just hope they’ve forgiven me for my appalling rendition of “Rocks of Bawn” when in my cups. It did make up for the crushing sense of disappointment I felt when, with only 8 players, we conceded against Newcastle around 10.00am. Considering Newcastle conceded 3 subsequent games and had 2 mutual cancellations in their remaining fixtures, I think we may have jumped the gun, especially as my ex-sister-in-law’s son was all set to play for us on loan from Kexborough Cricket Club. Sadly, he would only have given us 9 and so we chose not to play, meaning we not only gained 0 playing points, but were penalised 10 for our second concession of the season. This is why the evolution of the team is so important.

Instead, I went to watch Percy Main’s opening home game against Burradon & New Fordley. We lost 8-0. 

Saturday 17 August:

Another glorious Saturday in August saw another set of under strength Tynemouth teams, hampered by holidays and Ben Richardson’s nuptials, on the end of another set of defeats.

Tynemouth first XI travelled to Burnopfield, where they batted first and were dismissed for only 140. While Ben Debnam (36), Stan Mcalindon (26), Robbie Bowman (20) and Joel Hull-Denholm (20) all contributed, there was a feeling this would not be enough. So it proved, when Burnopfield scored the runs required, for the loss of 4 wickets, with skipper Martin Pollard (3/30) doing his bit in trying circumstances.

Tynemouth 2s were at home to Gateshead Fell but lost a desperately tight game by the margin on 2 wickets. On a wicket for bowlers, Tynemouth were dismissed for 108, with contributions by Andrew Lineham (20), Marcus Turner (17), Patrick Hallam (16), Sam Robson (16) and Sean Aditjandra (13). With Gateshead Fell rocking at 94/8, it seemed if an unlikely home win was in the offing, but alas this was not to be. Patrick Hallam (4/34) and Rohan George (3/25) were so nearly the heroes.

The Saturday 3s, including three sets of fathers and sons, lost by 138 runs to Greenside 2s, but this does not tell the tale. At drinks, Greenside were 100/2, so to dismiss them for 225 represents a great effort in the field. Plaudits must go to captain Ed Snelders (3/11), who bowled magnificently throughout, as well as Richard Harland (3/55), who bowled his 9 overs straight through. Interestingly, he took wickets with both the first and last balls of his spell. Daniel Scott (2/55) and Kai Lewis-Main (2/55) also deserve mentions in dispatches, as do Simon Bogg, who took two stunning catches. In response, Lewis-Main contributed an excellent 16, but that man Snelders (26*) was a colossus. A vital final wicket partnership with ian cusack, who contributed a thrilling, season’s best 3, enabled the important collection of a batting point, which could be vital in the battle against relegation.

I wasn’t to know it when the game began at 13.00, but by the time it ended, when I was last man out at just before 18.00, I was fully aware that this was to be my last ever game of cricket, aged 60 years and 7 days. As you can see from the report, the dads and lads were in full effect in this one, even if was Ed Snelders, an absolute legend for the club, who really held things together. He even game me a bowl and, I’m proud to say, my second last over in competitive cricket was a maiden, with the first two balls being two of the finest I’ve ever sent down. The first one landed right on the spot and I could have packed in right then, basking in the warm afterglow of a job well done, while second one turned away slightly, missed the edge of the bat and off stump, going between the keeper’s legs for a bye, but that wasn’t against me. Indeed, at one time my analysis read 2.5-1-3-0, only for me to do a reverse Stuart Broad and get clobbered for 6 off my last ball. They might have worked in the first year of The Hundred, but those drop downs outside leg stump don’t cut it in the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League Division 5 (South), as their batter thumped me over deep backward square for a maximum. Still, you learn from your mistakes, or I suppose I could have done if fate hadn’t dealt me a cruel hand.

When I shambled out to bat, we were 68/9, a daunting 12 runs away from a single batting point. However, Ed was in his Headingley 1981 mode and his eventual 26* represented the second highest score he ever made for Tynemouth. Personally, the 3 singles I took (all on the posh side, mind you) represented a season’s best for me and 60% of my entire total for 2024. When we got that single blessed bonus point, Ed and I were elated. We even entertained the fanciful notion we might get to a second point, before disaster struck. As I said, all my runs tend to be scored on the offside, mainly because I lack any kind of hand eye coordination when the ball is going past my left hand side. In an attempt to rectify this, I noticed a slow, wide, legside delivery that just begged to be dismissed in the way the last ball I’d bowled had been. Taking an almighty heave, I missed the ball that was even wider than I’d anticipated, toppled over and crash landed on my left hip and thigh. Seeing the umpire signal a wide was no great consolation.

I’ve never retired hurt in my life, but I should have done that day. The pain was excruciating and, when I was dismissed a couple of balls later when the bowler managed a straight one, I found a more appropriate use for my bat as a Tiny Tim style crutch to help me off the field. The pain grew steadily worse as the night wore on and by Sunday evening, my leg and arse were blue. On Monday, Shelley took me to Rake Lane Walk In (ironic?) Centre, where I had an x-ray. No break, thankfully, but a thinned pelvis and hip, caused by age and all the heft I’ve carried around over the years, meant there was only one outcome. I didn’t immediately make this known to the rest of the team, declaring myself unavailable for the next couple of weeks, but I knew I wasn’t coming back, especially as at the time of writing (23 September), I still can’t go on the treadmill or cross-trainer at the gym as it hurts too much.

Saturday 24 August:

The weekend of 24 August was an inauspicious one for Tynemouth Cricket Club, with all three senior teams suffering defeats. The first XI hosted South Northumberland at Preston Avenue. The visitors batted first and amassed an imposing 329/6 from their 45 overs, with Owen Gourley (3/53) being the most successful home bowler. In response, Tynemouth were dismissed for 204, with Joe Snowdon (58) and Matty Brown (55) leading the resistance.

Meanwhile, Tynemouth 2s made the trip to Roseworth Terrace and lost by 6 wickets. Batting first, Tynemouth made 148, with Andrew Linehan (47) leading the resistance, supported by Sam Robson (24) and Anthony Turner (21). South North achieved the runs required for the loss of 4 wickets. In the midweek preceding, the 2s had also bowed out of the James Bell Memorial Cup, losing to Whitburn. After a decent effort with the ball by all six bowlers, restricting Whitburn to 109/8, Tynemouth could not get the required momentum with the ball, falling short on 75/5, with George Stewart (32) and Adam Tugby (21*) playing valiantly in a losing cause.

Finally, the Saturday 3s lost to Monkseaton by 84 runs. However, as is ever the case with the Regents of the Back Field, the percentages game comes into play, as well as rejoicing that ian cusack was hors de combat with his bad hip. Monkseaton made 197/6 with Ed Snelders (3/25) again outstanding. This gave Tynemouth 3 bowling points. With the bat, a total of 113 all out meant that 2 batting points were accrued, vital in the struggle against relegation. Special mentions must go to Simon Bogg (24* and another stunning catch) and Dan Watt (18), who put on 41 for the ninth wicket.

Mobility issues prevented me from getting to this one, so instead I saw Percy Main get their first win over the season, 3-2 over Haltwhistle Jubilee.

Saturday 31 August:

For Tynemouth 1s and 2s, the weekend of August 31^st and September 1^st consisted of a double header, with the games postponed from the opening weekend of the season rescheduled for the first Sunday of autumn. The 1s travelled to picturesque Castle Eden on Saturday, coming away with a win that banished any lingering fears of relegation that recent indifferent form had prompted. Batting first, the home side were dismissed for 170. Bowling plaudits go to skipper Matin Pollard (3/19) and Fred Harrison (3/36). The response saw the runs knocked off in 30 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Well done to Matt Kimmitt (67) and Ben Debnam (36) for steering the side home.

On Sunday, there was a more exacting test away to NEPL champions elect Burnmoor. Tynemouth were put in to bat and started well. Debnam and Kimmitt took the score to 69 before Kimmitt fell for 22. Ben Debnam made an impressive 80 but from 75/1 and 98/2 the team rather collapsed finishing on 161. Leg spinners Fred Harrison and Josh Moors both took 2 wickets each but a half century from home skipper Ryan Pringle and 42 from Josh Coghlin, both off just 30 balls, saw the home team home by 4 wickets. The result means that Burnmoor are Champions for 2024.

Tynemouth 2s had back to back home fixtures on this Magic weekend. Firstly, Saturday saw the visit of Castle Eden. Batting first, Tynemouth posted an impressive 266/8, with Dan McGee (85) top scoring, as well as taking 2 wickets later on, though there were notable contributions from all, including Patrick Hallam (54) and Sam Robson (35). Castle Eden gave it a good go, but fell short by 11 runs, ending on 255/6. On Sunday, Hetton Lyons proved a stiffer test. Dismissing Tynemouth for 199, with Hallam (49), Zach Larner (47) and Andrew Linehan (45*) doing the bulk of the work, Hetton Lyons achieved their revised target of 151 for the loss of 2 wickets after only 24 overs.

There was much rejoicing among the Saturday 3s, for whom the dark days of ian cusack’s presence are becoming a distant memory, after a superb 10 wicket win over Percy Main that all but mathematically guarantees their safety in Division 5 South of the NTCL. Ed Snelders (7-3-9-5), who is having an incredible run of form, was assisted by Dan Storey (7-1-17-3) and Unsure (3-0-3-1), in dismissing Percy Main for 45. The runs required were achieved in 4 overs, without mishap, mainly on account of Zach Larner (32*). Well done to the whole team.

Even before the injury, I was always going to miss this one, as Shelley and I were up in Glasgow to see Wrest. Great gig, even if standing up for 2 hours solid was a bit of an ordeal for me.

Saturday 7 September:

The sun beat down after a foggy start to the penultimate games of the season, as all three Tynemouth teams were beaten down by the opposition and didn’t have the foggiest notion how to avoid their fate. At Preston Avenue, Tynemouth 1s batted first against Chester le Street and were dismissed for 133, with only Dan McGee (33) and Joe Snowdon (26) offering proper resistance. The visitors knocked the runs off for the loss of one wicket, while on the back pitch Tynemouth 3s also lost by 9 wickets to United Stars, having only made 114 in their innings.

Meanwhile, Tynemouth 2s travelled to Ropery Lane to be dismissed for 96, with interim chair and folk music devotee Andrew Lineham (27) top scoring. Chester le Street made the runs required for the loss of 4 wickets. Richard Hay did well to claim two of those to perish.

At the current moment, the 1s are comfortably placed in 8^th in the NEPL Premier Division, with only the slim prospect of ending up 9^th. The 2s are a disappointingly 9^th in NEPL Division 2, though clear of relegation. The Saturday 3s sit 11^th in NTCL Division 5 (South). With the bottom two sides relegated, they will definitely finish above last placed Percy Main 2s and are 51 points ahead of Blaydon 2s, though they do have a game in hand. If Blaydon do not win both of their remaining fixtures, and they have failed to win any of their 22 games so far this season, the inactive 3s will be safe.

It was still a big ask to wander round the cricket club, so I took the easy option of watching Percy Main, almost on my doorstep, lose 2-0 to Newcastle Independent at Coach Lane.

Saturday 14 September:

The curtain began to fall on the 2024 cricket season, with Tynemouth 1s and Tynemouth 2s completing their fixtures with games against their respective sides from Newcastle Cricket Club. The fixtures were a prelude to a thoroughly enjoyable and restrained end of season awards presentation and social gathering at Preston Avenue.

Tynemouth 1s had travelled to Jesmond for their final game and returned with a thoroughly pleasing 51 run victory that sees The Croons end the campaign in joint 7^th position in the table, level on points with Felling. Batting first, Tynemouth made 219 all out from 44.5 overs with Stan McAlindon (52) top scoring, with vital support from Robbie Bowman (42) and Josh Moors (36). All three have had superb seasons for Tynemouth and we thank them so much for their efforts. One unfortunate incident was Joe Snowdon breaking his toe when batting and being unable to field, necessitating Chris Fairley and his velvet larynx, having top scored for the 2s in their game, making a dash down the Coast Road for the second innings.

In reply, Newcastle were dismissed for 168, mainly on account of the efforts of the more experienced bowlers. Barry Stewart (4-34) showed his George just how it is done, and skipper Martin Pollard (3-30) made a telling contribution, to remove skipper Bobby Greener without scoring. All in all, a thoroughly positive end to the season that has been marred by foul weather and a lack of continuity of selection.

Tynemouth 2s lost by 6 wickets to Newcastle 2s, after only posting 134 in their innings. As mentioned already, Chris Fairley (35) made a positive contribution, as did Patrick Hallam (32).  In reply, Newcastle raced home in 25 overs for the lost of 4 wickets, though it should be noted 2 of them went to the reliable Richy Hay. The final table sees the 2s finish in a disappointing 10^th position, though they were never in danger of relegation.

Being the inactive 13th team in the NTCL Division 5 (South), Tynemouth 3s were interested observers of results elsewhere. On the day the aged and incompetent ian cusack blessedly announced his retirement on medical and sporting grounds, the mutually conceded game between Blaydon 2s and Newcastle 3s, sees Tynemouth 3s finish in the dizzying heights of 11^th position, ready to fight another year with the Dad and Lads Army the team has transformed into. Here are the young men, the weight on their shoulders, as Joy Division opined back in 1980 when even I were a lad.

 

One of the bugbears of our league this season has been the fact we have an odd number of teams in our division. Hence, on the day things came to a close, the 3s were all like me; inactive. However, having seen Percy Main draw 1-1 with Stobswood Welfare, there was still a reason to be at TCC, even if the 2s had managed to lose before I arrived. The legendary end of season awards and celebration. Over the past decade, I have come to know some of the finest blokes it has even been my privilege to encounter. Most of them (no names incidentally) were here tonight and I shared bevvys will almost all of them. We laughed. We drank. We sang. We drank some more. I think it was about 1.45 when I shambled out the door and into an Uber I have no recollection of travelling in.

In my years as a member, player, bar man and press officer with Tynemouth Cricket Club, I can truly put my hand on my heart and say I have given my all. However, the club, as both an institution and an entity, has given me so much more in return. It breaks my heart to step away, but the time is right to do so.  Thank you and goodnight. You’ve been a wonderful audience.