2007 League Champions

1st Division
South Northumberland

2nd Division
Newcastle

3rd Division
Sunderland

Banks Salver 2007

Winners
South Northumberland

Runners Up
Blaydon

Banks Bowl 2007

Winners
Newcastle

Runners Up
South Shieldsl

Banks Cup 2007

Winners
Sunderland

Runners Up
Benwell Hill

NOW BACK IN PRODUCTION
Click here

 

 

 

WEEKEND ROUNDUP - 2/3 AUGUST 2008

South Shields moved to within a win of the League leaders South Northumberland on Saturday, and the two sides meet next Saturday.

The leaders saw only seven balls of action in their match against Blaydon before heavy rain forced an abandonment. Shields, though, dodged the showers at Chester le Street, bowling out the home side for just 85 in the 24th over. John Wightman picked up 4-47 while the Muchall boys, Paul and Matthew, claimed 3-19 and 3-18 respectively. Paul then fired a quick 42 as Shields knocked off the runs in under 20 overs.

Durham Academy were the only other team to pick up a win on Saturday, maknig heavy going of chasing down 130 to defeat Stockton at Grangefield Road. The home side's innings of 129 saw the wickets shared between five Academy bowlers, while skipper Andrew Smith was the only batsman on either side to cope with the conditions, hitting an unbeaten 59 to lead his side to victory.

Sunderland and Benwell Hill played out a draw at Ashbrooke, with the last Sunderland pair at the crease and 30 needed for victory. The Hill's Alistair Maiden batted throughout the 54 overs to score 82no, while late impetus from Mark Dale (52no) saw them to a respectable 204-2. Sunderland fell to 11-2 and had Gary Scott dropped first ball as their reply began. The Durham man made amends for the Benwell's profligacy by striking a magnificent 100 before holing out with 10 overs remaining. When time was called, Sunderland were 175-9 with former Hill pro Shahid Nazir unbeaten at the crease with 15. Rob Frylinck was the pick of the bowlers with 5-67.

Marc Symington was another centurion as Norton declared on 245-5 against Gateshead Fell. Garry Park kept him company with 66. Symington carried his bat for 113. In reply the Fell were not in the chase and closed on 152-5, with an unbeaten 58 from Martin Bekker seeing them safely to a draw.

The day's other game at Tynemouth was abandoned with the home side 11-2 against Newcastle.

In the Second Division, Gateshead Fell were the only winners on a day where three matches were abandoned without a ball bowled and a fourth seeing only a short period of play. Mark Lockey ran through the Norton innings to finish with figures of 7-27 and the Teessiders were back in the hutch for only 71. Stephen Devonport then made 33no with the bat to lead the Fell to an eight-wicket success.

In the League standings, South Northumberland are 28 points clear of South Shields at the top of Divison 1 with Chester le Street and Sunderland further back in third and fourth places. As mentioned earlier, South Shields host the leaders on Saturday having already beaten them at Gosforth earlier in the season.

At the bottom, Newcastle are rooted to the basement with 87 points, 10 behind Benwell Hill. The NEPL fixture computer has worked its magic as these two sides meet on the final day of the season.

South Northumberland are on course for a league double as they are 21 points clear of Stockton in Division 2.

On Sunday, Chester le Street suffered a heartbreaking loss to Sandiacre in the Quarter Final of the Cockspur Cup. Sandiacre were batting second and a last ball wide brought the scores level before a scampered leg bye off the extra delivery gave the Derbyshire club the win and a place in the semi finals.

 

CHESTER GO INTO COCKSPUR BATTLE ON SUNDAY

The battle for the 2008 Cockspur Cup is hotting up, with an extremely strong line-up through to the quarter-finals.

The big guns still in the competition at the sixth round stage were all successful. Bromley and Kibworth, last year’s finalists, have been joined by Chester-le-Street who lost to Kibworth in the semis last year and Sandiacre Town, the winners in 2003.

Waltham managed to get to their first quarter-final at the fifth attempt in the last six years; while Northern, who reached the sixth round for the first time last year, have gone one better and will have the chance to avenge last year’s defeat at Kibworth.

The other two teams left in the competition have never reached this stage before and by a quirk of fate Swansea will host Malden Wanderers. So there will be at least one new face in the semi-finals.

Quarter-final draw – matches to be played Sunday August 3
Chester-le-Street (Durham) v Sandiacre Town (Derbyshire)
Kibworth (Leicestershire) v Northern (Lancashire)
Bromley (Kent) v Waltham (Essex)
Swansea (Wales) v Malden Wanderers (Surrey)

NEPL DRAW WITH MCC XI

In their annual match with the MCC, rain prevented any play after lunch at Chester le Street and the North East Premier League XI had to settle for a draw.

The League side, captained by Peter Howells, bowled first in the one-innings match.

Blaydon youngster Joseph Reynolds clean bowled Glayzer and Bartram of the MCC before spinner Kris McShane of South Shields had MCC skipper Cooper caught by his opposite number Howells.

Off spinner John Malkin had Mulholland caught at the wicket to leave the MCC at 136 for 4. At the other end while the wickets were falling, Mark Dale - who plays for Benwel Hill in the NEPL - compiled an unbeaten 86.

Heavy rain during the lunch interval meant a resumption was not possible and the umpires abandoned the match as a draw.

MCC XI: 144 for 4 (42 overs) MAP Dale 86no.

NEPL XI: J Coxon (Chester le Street), A Craggs (South North), T Hopes (Chester le Street), PW Howells (captain, Norton), J Malkin (Blaydon), AJ Parr (Stockton), K McShane (South Shields), C Rainbow (wk, South Shields), J Reynolds (Blaydon), AP Smith (Tynemouth), AJE Summers (Chester le Street).

BULLS WIN T20 CROWN IN THRILLER

South Northumberland left it late, but managed a five-wicket success over Benwell Hill in the inaugural NEPL Twenty20 competition, sponsored by Cricket First.

The five-time NEPL champions defeated Sunderland in the day's second semi final, while the Hill had overcome the host club Norton in the early game.

Hill skipper Martin Pollard called correctly at the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat first. After slipping to 24-3, Phil Nicholson (48) and Mark Dale (40) steadied the ship and helped them to a respectable 132-6 from their 20 overs.

South Northumberland lost wickets on a regular basis as the Hill bowlers kept a tight line and length. Eventual Man of the Match Jimmy Miller was instrumental in getting the Bulls to their target as South North scored 23 runs off the last 9 balls to win the match by five wickets.

Captain John Graham paid tribute to his own team and the opponents. "We have a healthy rivalry with Benwell Hill, but also a lot of respect. They pushed us very hard and we had to dig deep to come out on top."

NEPL Chairman Keith Robson added: "Finals Day has been a great success, Norton CC have been outstanding in their organisation of the event. The Twenty20 competition as a whole has been embraced fully by the NEPL and its clubs and will return in bigger and better form next season."

Scores: First Semi - Benwell Hill 125/9, Norton 101. Second Semi - South Northumberland 173/6, Sunderland 136. Final - Benwell Hill 132/6, South Northumberland 135/5.

WEEKEND ROUNDUP - 12 JULY

The weather had a big say once again in the games around the league, however Sunderland were the day's big winners, despite only posting a score of 117 when batting first against the Academy. Chris Harding and Scott Borthwick snared seven wickets between them to put Durham's youngsters in the box seat.

However, Chris Rushworth (5-21) and Ian Stephenson (3-7) turned the game on its head as the Academy were back in the hutch for just 65.

Three other games were started but ended up in a draw, as once again rain had a say in the amount of cricket on display. League leaders South Northumberland gained the bigger share of the spoils from a drawn match at Norton. The Teessiders scored 198 with a century from Sri Lankan Chanaka Wijesinghe. South North captain John Graham passed a half century in the reply, but steady loss of wickets - five to Norton skipper Peter Armstrong - and the loss of ten overs because of rain meant a stalemate at 180-7.

Another century maker was South Shields' Australian Geoff Cullen who was unbeaten on three figures in Shields' 201-5 at Jesmond. Matthew Muchall then snared three early Newcastle wickets (3-16) but a defiant 43no from Sean Adair saw the home side to safety at 104-5 when stumps were drawn.

The final game to see any action was Benwell Hill's home clash with Tynemouth. A total of 40 overs were lost due to the overnight and early morning rain, meaning an 80-over contest. Tynemouth were able to decalre at 152-6, thanks mainly to an unbroken seventh wicket partnership between Ben Debnam and Andrew Smith.

In response, Benwell Hill were in big trouble early on at 8-3 and then 37-4, with Grant Lindsay picking up three wickets. When the rain returned after tea, Benwell Hill were 78-5.

The matches at Gateshead Fell against Chester le Street and at Blaydon versus Stockton were wiped out without a ball bowled.

* Sunday saw the Banks Salver semi finals take place. Holders South Northumberland were knocked out of the competition by Durham CA, who made up for Saturday's batting collapse by knocking off 218 with two overs to spare. Captain Andrew Smith scored 60 and Richard Hopwood an unbeaten 47. They will play Chester le Street in the final on August 3 as the Cestrians saw off Tynemouth at Ropery Lane thanks to 50 from Quentin Hughes and four wickets from Ty Hopes.

TWENTY20 VENUE AND LINEUP CONFIRMED

North East Premier League officials have today confirmed that the Cricket First-NEPL Finals Day will take place at Norton CC's Station Road venue on 27th July.

The four finalists were in contention to hold the prestigious event, the first such tournament in the NEPL history. Norton were the first team to qualify for the Finals day, and they were first out of the hat when the draw was made at the Riverside.

The semi final lineup was also drawn by chairman Keith Robson. The first semi final at 10am will be Benwell Hill against Norton, while the second semi final at 1pm will see Sunderland take on South Northumberland.

The Final will be at 4.20pm. The NEPL will be confirming entry details in the next few days.

NORTH TAKE SHARE OF THE SPOILS

Northumberland CCC picked up their third straight Minor Counties draw at Stone against Staffordshire. Play did not get underway until after tea on the second day, and the match was reduced to a one-innings game.

North were asked to bat first after losing the toss, and made a battling 285 for 7 from 81 overs. David Myers of Benwell Hill made 84 in only his third MCCA game, stroking 11 fours and 1 six in his innings. Several of his teammates made scores of 30+ but couldn't go on to any more.

When Staffordshire took their turn at the crease, they showed little interest in pursuing the target, and a draw was agreed with the score 151 for 2. Both sides took 8 points from the game.

NORTHUMBERLAND: Allan Worthy (Blaydon), Paul Muchall (South Shields), David Myers (Benwell Hill), Bradley Parker, Adam Cragg (South North), Marc Symington (Norton, captain), Graeme Bridge (Blaydon), David Rutherford, Richard Coughtrie (Durham CA, wkt), Matthew Muchall (South Shields), Gary Stewart (Blaydon).

RAIN THE WINNER ON ANOTHER WET SATURDAY

WEEKEND ROUNDUP - SATURDAY JULY 5

It's a case of 'as you were' after Saturday's matches in both divisions of the NEPL were wiped out by rain.

The early starts in the First Division meant that some cricket was played.

Norton and Benwell Hill managed to take three wickets when bowling first and take an extra point, with all other sides taking the regulation five points for an abandonment.

Norton had Chester le Street wobbling at 16 for 3, with Jonathan Kean (2-10) and Marc Symington (1-4) running through the top order. It was a similar story at Stockton as Rob Frylinck of Benwell Hill took two wickets and a catch to leave the home side on 27-3 when the rain came.

Newcastle had reached 18 for 1 at Jesmond against Blaydon, and South Shields 36-1at home to the Academy in the day's other action.

The First Division matches at Tynemouth v Gateshead Fell and South Northumberland v Sunderland were abandoned without a ball being bowled, as were all five games in the Second Division.

A look at the League tables sees South North 20 points clear of South Shields in Division 1, with Chester le Street a further point behind. At the basement, Newcastle are on 65 points with Benwell Hill eight points ahead.

South North are also leading the Second Divison, on 174 points with Tynemouth at the head of the chasing pack on 160.

MID SEASON FIRST XI AVERAGES NOW ONLINE

NEPL Division One statistician David McKay has supplied this website with the mid-season averages, and these can be found >here< (Excel file, 20KB)