Misc Match reports from 2002

Whitley see off promotion rivals


NORTHUMBERLAND LEAGUE A DIVISION

Whitley Bay 193 - 6 St George's Rovers 184 all out
WHITLEY Bay Cricket Club won an enthralling encounter with promotion rivals, St George's Rovers last Saturday by nine runs and moved up one place to second in the league as a result.
The Bay's skipper won the toss for the seventh consecutive time and elected to bat first. Both openers fell early in the proceedings to Jameson. However, Gary Benns and Simon Moody put together a fine partnership with some delightful stroke play.
Unfortunately, Simon Moody's innings was hampered by a groin strain, which necessitated him having to use a runner and he departed having cracked an impressive 29 runs. The powerful Dave Sproat joined Benns in the middle and runs were being scored at a brisk rate until Gary Benns was surprisingly bowled for a well compiled 44 runs.
The Bay's skipper, Peter Watson came to the crease next to partner Sproat and the runs continued to flow with some powerful hitting and sharp singles the order of the day. Dave Sproat was bowled for 44 vital runs going for another big hit.
Ian McPherson joined Watson in the middle for the last three overs and they intelligently pushed the ball into the gaps and added 20 valuable runs with Watson 34 not out and McPherson 10 not out. For St George's Mark Jameson bowled a magnificent spell, taking four wickets for only 22 runs from 13 overs.
The Bay's total of 193 did not look to be enough as Parish and Jameson stroked St George's to 115 for one, after 25 overs.
After the drinks break, Watson got the vital breakthrough, bowling Jameson for 46 and the Bay were given a huge lift as Ivan Pearson made a superb pick up and throw to run out his namesake to leave St George's on 138 for three.
The St George's skipper, Mike Lowis joined the unflappable Parrish at the crease and moved the score along to 165 when McPherson superbly stumped Lowis for 20. At this point, Watson brought back opening bowler, Barry Thomas from the pavilion end and the 20-year-old pace bowler responded magnificently and trapped Parrish lbw for a stylish 71 runs and the Bay now had the opportunity to win a game which had appeared to be lost.
Bob Grange returned from the ice rink end and picked up a couple of scalps, whilst Thomas cleaned out the tail, leaving Whitley the victors by nine runs. Barry Thomas was the pick of the bowlers with three for 34, from 11.3 overs, Watson two for 34 from 13 overs, Pearson one for 40 from 13 overs and the irrepressible Bob Grange finished with two for 73, after taking heavy punishment early in the proceedings.
This Saturday, the seasiders head inland to tackle Clara Vale in a top of the table battle. Opener, John Douglas and all rounder, James Morton return, as does stylish left hander, Dave Slaven to bolster the side in the quest for the championship.

 

22/08/2002

 

 

 

 

 Whitley lose out in top of table clash


NORTHUMBERLAND LEAGUE A DIVISION

Whitley Bay 118-7, Clara Vale 119-6
WHITLEY Bay Cricket Club lost last Saturday's top of the table clash at Clara Vale by four wickets but still remain in second place and with only four games remaining, promotion to the Premier League still in their grasp.
The all important toss was won by Clara Vale and Whitley were put into bat on the green and very wet wicket. Opening for the Bay was young Mark Farrington and the experienced John Douglas. Farrington fresh from his century for the second team last week showed great composure and batted with style on the difficult wicket in compiling 29 runs.
Opening partner Douglas departed for nine in the eighth over with the score on 21 quickly followed by the usually prolific James Morton for nought bowled leg stump with the total on 26 in the tenth over.
A promising partnership developed between Farrington and all rounder Ivan Pearson as the score moved along to 67 in the 21st over. Just when this pair were looking to dominate the bowling Pearson was given out lbw for 16 having just launched off spinner Greener for a huge straight six. Farrington's innings ended soon after, caught at deep square leg off the bowling of Greener for 29 and Whitley on 77 for four in the 25th over.
Simon Moody and stylish left hander David Slaven were at the crease together and both were playing extremely sensibly as the Bay were looking to take the initiative away from the Clara Vale bowling of ex Whitley player Mark Newton and the vastly experienced Greener.
With the score on a healthy 89 in the 31st over Slaven fell to a stunning catch close to the wicket off the middle of the bat and Whitley were once again pegged back to 89 for five with Greener claiming his third wicket.
Captain Watson came in to partner Moody as the contest was reaching a critical stage. Unfortunately, the 33rd over proved a disaster for the seasiders as Moody holed out at deep square leg again off Greener for 20 and the luckless Ian McPherson was out caught at silly mid-on for nought first ball and the Bay were reeling at 94 for seven.
Bob Grange joined Watson at the crease and this pair dug in and batted sensibly in adding 24 runs as Clara threw everything at them in the final overs. The Bay's innings closed on 118-7 with Watson 13 not out and Grange eight not out. Greener bowled a marvellous spell of slow bowling to finish with figures of five for 29 with good support from his fellow bowlers.
Although disappointed with their total the state of the wicket meant Whitley had a chance to win the game if they could get early wickets in an attempt to gain the early breakthrough skipper Watson turned to slow left armer James Morton to open the attack. He bowled beautifully and extracted turn and lift and had the prolific John McIntyre in trouble, however, his opening partner Survic Bannerjee showed his class and the former Indian first class cricketer played a memorable innings of 85 not out to win the game single handedly for Clara Vale.
The winning runs came in the 34th over with Bannerjee manipulated the strike throughout this marvellous innings. Whitley had Clara in trouble throughout as wickets fell regularly at the other end. Watson bowled a great spell claiming four for 17 including a truly incredible one handed diving catch by Mark Farrington. But on the day Clara deservedly claimed the spoils as Bannerjee undoubtedly played one of the finest innings the Northumberland League has ever seen.
The Bay now gather themselves for the visit of DSS on Saturday and the trip to Morpeth on Sunday to play Longhirst. A number of players are available for these important games with the club welcoming Sproat, Thomas, Pawley, Benns and Harrison back into the fray.

 

29/08/2002