New boy makes impact on debut
NEW signing Paul Leonard certainly made an impact on his NEPL debut, taking an incredible 10-24, off 9.4 overs, to give Felling hope of a survival escape with a much needed win, at home to Stockton.
The home side won the toss and decided to have a bat, scoring just 86 all out, with Joe Carroll top scoring with 16 not out.
Brett Roberts led the way on the bowling front, taking 4-37 and Hassan Raza returned 3-2.
Raza with the bat made 18 not out, batting at number nine and Joe Hewison scored 18, in a score of 58 all out, but there was no stopping Leonard and from his ten-wicket haul, three were LBW and six were clean bowled, with the other one caught behind – talk about accuracy.
Marton kept up their excellent NYSD form, by winning at Rectory Lane, Guisborough, who badly needed a result to keep their relegation fears at bay.
However, the visitors lost the toss and were asked to bat first, making 101 all out.
Ben Hutchinson top scored with just 21, while Chris Nicholls (3-38), Neil Russell (3-40) and Shanuka Dissanayake (3-14), were very accurate with the ball.
In reply, The Priorymen made just 58 all out, with Matthew Connelly taking a brilliant 5-16, off his 12 overs, with opener Neil Russell top scoring with 34 and skipper Alex Wardell finishing with 3-15, to wrap up the innings.
CURRENT NTSL Champions Ashington are currently sitting fourth, maintained the pressure on the top three, with a home win over struggling Percy Main. Adam Heather, Benwell Hill opener, at the wicket against Newcastle in the NEPL Premier Division
The home side batted first and scored 170-7, thanks to Jack McCarthy making 36 not out, while Jack Jessop also scored 36 runs. Shaun Tindall sends one down for Newcastle against Benwell Hill in the NEPL Premier Division
Percy Main lost early wickets, but Michael Phillips stood firm with 49 to his name and Phillip Cramman made 37 – but Paul Rutherford with a blistering spell of 4-17, saw his team home.
NCL Leaders Blyth slipped up at home to third placed Blue Flames, who maintain the pressure on the top two teams.
The visitors took first knock and made 135 all out, thanks to Amir Riaz scoring 62. Mark Lawrence (4-33) and Andrew Ebdale (3-28), bowled well to keep the home side’s score in check.
Blyth were then bowled out for just 112, with Balal Baig taking 4-40, Nasir Amin returned 3-16 and Andrew Horner opening blast of 3-32, was enough for them to win the game by 23 runs, despite Craig Smith scoring 33.
Littletown’s hopes of a DCL survival win, were dented when they were defeated at Esh Winning.
The visitors batted first and made just 104 all out, thanks to excellent bowling from Paul Chivers (3-22), Chris Simpson (4-19) and Jamie Robinson (3-19), with Bryan Conlon making an excellent 53 for his team.
Esh soon knocked off the runs required, with opener John Carmedy scoring 42 and Stu Hall 27 not out, to give their chances of promotion, a boost.