However, progress is being made winning 5 fixtures last year. These were Seaton Burn twice, Alnwick once, Kirkley once and last against a strong Morpeth team. This took us up to 3rd from bottom of B2, two places higher than last season. The matches against Kirkley (home) and Morpeth (away) when we fielded strong sides and proves we can hold our own with many teams in the league.

The batting has improved this season after a shaky start. Several games we have scored 180 or 200 runs which gave us the chance of winning games. Phil Ottaway was the player who dominated the batting scoring 682 runs for an average of 62. Only 1 player scored more in the league. Valuable contributions were made by Matt Darwood (274), Keith Crerar (199) as well as Andy Denyer, John Ferrier and Richard Jennings all scoring more than 100 runs each.

As with last year the bowling was the problem. Too many 4 balls, not bowling at the stumps and too many short deliveries giving the batsmen a free hit meant we were always chasing the game. The main wicket taker was Keith Crerar (23) who bowled well on numerous occasions without any reward. We lost Chris (14) and Mike Barlow to back injuries for the second half of the season and just when Ben Tanner hit form with 6-12 vs Seaton Burn, he left us to go to teach Classics in the Midlands. Then Richard Hopper (10) picked up an injury and quite often I only had Keith to open the bowling. Andy Denyer returned in July, re-invented as a spin bowler. He took 12 wickets with his 5-46 against Morpeth winning us the game.

Next season if Matt Darwood, Andy Graves and Neil Pinnock amongst others are available more regularly and we have a settled team, we will be able to compete. I wish next season's captain the best of luck and I am sure he will get the support I have had over the last few years.

G.Appleby
2nd Team Captain