Friendly Matches 2004

Captain's Report

Like the rest of the club the Sunday side had a successful season, winning eight and losing four. The season felt like a rolling tour with just 3 home games during the whole season, two of them in the last 3 games.

The captaincy for the year had to be split, Phil Barlow unable to arrange teams during the week so Chris Barlow took over after 4 games.

The season was meant to start at Stocksfield, but they told us the game was off - after we got there. They then cried off from the game later in the season as well, so we may not see them on the fixture list again. We then struggled with the ball against Genetics as they scored 217-5, a total we failed to match despite a 120 run opening partnership between Alex McLean (72) and Simon Raw, who returned from a year in New Zealand and scored 59 without any practice. Mark Steven also resumed his Ponteland career a year and a half after his first game with 32* in a 33 run defeat.

We beat old rivals Blagdon the following week, John Varley taking 5-40 in a close 2 wicket win. Stuart Taylor with 28 and Mark Steven 22. KSTOB then beat us comfortably at Ponteland, our 149-6 being propped up by 48 in the last 5 overs from Richard Jackson and John Varley.

We then went on an extended road trip with six away games. We drove through pouring rain to reach a damp but playable Eglingham and totalled 230-5, Mark Steven, complete with hang over, scored his maiden fifty for the club before Stuart Taylor hammered 66 of 36 balls and Neil Pinnock 46. John Varley then took 3 wickets as they reached 179-8. After an extremely heavy thunder storm we were able to play against KSTOB, bowling them out for 95, Mark Wheldon, visiting from Northallerton took 4-15 and Stuart Taylor 2-8 but it was junior Andrew Cruikshank who took the 2 vital wickets of their main batsmen. We went from 66-0 to 71-6, before Stuart Taylor scored 28* in the last four overs to win.

The next game saw us travel to East Halsey, near Northallerton, to play Mark Wheldon's new team. On a very warm but windy day we batted first and James Ottaway and Richard Jackson scored 152 in the first 22 overs. Richard was given out for 67 but James went on to a maiden century off 98 deliveries. Stuart Taylor then scored 44 off 19 balls to finish on 262-6. Andy Denyer took 3 early wickets as they replied with 169. The game also saw Jonny Appleby move behind the stumps for the first time, taking 2 catches. Andy Cruikshank provided the funniest moment of the season when he celebrated a catch by throwing the ball up in the air, only for it to drop straight on his head!

After the high scoring match against Victorians last season with over 550 runs scored we travelled to Close House wondering what would happen this year. They were soon 19-5, Chris Barlow 3-10, Richard Hopper 1-9. Andy Cruikshank took 3 further wickets as they were bowled out for 60. We struggled as well losing 6 wickets before reaching their total.

The home game against Genetics was cancelled as the pitch was flooded after a month of rain, but Ovingham filled the void. We bowled them out for 73 with Richard Moller taking 4-10. They asked if they could bowl all their overs (seven of their team made ducks) and we scored 171-2, Simon Raw with a patient 53 and Ian Cooke with a maiden fifty for the club.

We then made a welcome return to Bamburgh who have reformed and faced a strong side that included Northumberland County Captain Phil Nicholson and several other Benwell Hill and Alnwick first team players. Batting first Richard Jackson scored another fifty on a sporty wicket in a total of 143-6. Jonny Appleby took 3-6 in 8 overs, took an outfield catch and then took over keeping duties with 2 catches and 2 stumpings. Despite all this we lost in the final over by 1 wicket.

We finally played at home in September and were able to benefit from the excellent batting surfaces that Geoff Appleby has been able to produce despite the weather, scoring 210-4 in 35 overs against Ulgham. Mark Steven was available for the first time since Eglingham and scored another fifty, Phil Barlow returning to form with 35. Ulgham made 153-3 in reply. The following week saw the visit of the University Staff. They scored 222 in 35 overs, first wickets for the club from Matty Bell 2-35 and Ian Moon 3-43. In reply we chased hard reaching 214-7, Mark Steven with 68* and Phil Barlow 40.

The final game was against new opponents Davipart at Prudhoe. We batted first once more scoring 217-4 in 35 overs. The game started with Richard Jackson chasing James Ottaway for top run scorer for the season, but 85 from Mark Steven, his 4th consecutive fifty, saw Mark end up top. Alex McLean also weighed in with 51* in 34 balls. In reply they were all out for 82 with a further 4 dismissals for Jonny Appleby. Mark Steven then finished the season off with his first wicket, followed by a catch off Alex.

The key to the season this year was the batting. In previous seasons we had relied on 1 or 2 players for all the runs, this year the 12 fifties and 1 hundred were spread between 7 players. 8 people scored over 100 runs, Simon Raw and Richard Jackson passing 200 and James Ottaway and Mark Steven 300. In contrast the bowling attack was less consistent. Chris Barlow with 15 and John Varley 10 the only players to double figures, 7 players taking 5 or more wickets.

The only disappointing side to the season was an absence of juniors to bring into the team, only Ian Moon and Luke Johnson playing all season, the only ones in any senior sides this year. We had a regular core of players, all of whom are around next season. Richard Hopper and John Varley will hopefully be available next season to strengthen the bowling attack.

Phil Barlow stands down as captain after three years in charge due to work commitments but hopes to be available to continue playing.

Chris Barlow
Acting Sunday Captain

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