Match Reports

Saturday 15th June 2002

Newcastle 1st XI vs South Northumberland (Away)

Ritzy hangs up his gloves... After another Friday of torrential rain we where lucky to get a prompt start. Wakey lost the toss and we where requested to field on a day where most people (except Angry) wanted to bat to watch the England match.

Newcastle took the field with Wayne "I got sconned today" Ritzema wearing some new mittens, which looked similar to the oven gloves used at circuit training (Mondays 8pm you lazy lot!). However our fears where allayed when Ritzy took 3 more magnificent snares including a lightening quick stumping off a quicker ball from Johnny B. The day then took a turn for the worse when Captain Gluteus Maximus III injured himself mid over and put himself out of the remainder of the game. The glute hopes to recover in time for the fixture next week at Tynemouth where he hopes to be reunited with Gluteus Minimus, providing Minumus is not too tired from excessive massage and netting. The injury meant an early introduction for Johnny '4 chicks' Bailey to bowl some palm spin. Johnny took his chance and went to work on the South Northumberland top order, removing two of the top 3 with deliveries that were described as "genuine filth".

Hey Kids....this is how to leave a straight one! South North progressed steadily with the help of some exciting and innovative batting from Martin Speight who reverse swept the Filthy Aussie 4 times in one over, the bizarre thing was that happiest man seemed to be The Filthy Aussie who seemed genuinely happy at the shots! Just as South North where getting the upper hand Ritzy turned to Keith "the overs thief" Brown who snared Nurse Seymour in due course. Keith continued to probe and ended up with the impressive figures of 5-49. At the other end Angry was charging down the hill, bowling a great aggressive spell especially against their pro. Angry bowled his 20 overs for little reward for his efforts and a spectator was overheard saying that even from the boundary edge he could see how much Alex cared. South North where eventually bowled out for 219 in 60 overs which was a great effort by the Newcastle bowlers.

Unfortunately the batting wasn't such a good story and we stumbled to 35 for 5 with two more victims for duck corner, and a bemused OAP who forgot what his bat was there for. We eventually reached 85 all out with Brian top scoring before being last out for a wristy 20. The glute did not bat and is now in a race against the clock for next week.

All in all the batting did no live up to expectations but we have a chance to put the record straight when we again meet East-West on Thursday in the National KO.

Newcastle 2nd XI vs South Northumberland (Home)

More changes to the team from last game - Chris Welch gone awol and Danny 'Imran' Carr back into the team to marshall the covers!

With poor weather, early tea, and the England match being major players in this game, we eventually started at 3.45pm, with the game reduced to a 32-26 over match. Again Newcastle won the toss and decided to filed, South North stuttering to 124-8 with James Bailey continuing his good form with the ball and taking a couple of early wickets, and Nick Humble snapping up 4 wickets along the way.

However, once again our batting let us down and from a slow start, we trundled to 95-6, Rowdy getting back to form with 39 and keith 'the snail' Porter batting all the way through for 37 not out - at least we didnt lose!