Backworth dodge the showers to reign in rain

NORTHUMBERLAND CRICKET LEAGUE

BACKWORTH extended their Premier Division lead with a ninewicket success at Corbridge.

The hosts were put into bat first in the sunshine, but struggled for runs before finally being bowled out, limping to 62 off 37 overs.

Change bowlers Mark Minto and Terry Finchen took 4-7 and 3-6 respectively, ending Corbridge’s innings.

During the tea break, rain started to fall but stopped in time for Backworth to start their run chase. With the weather continually threatening, Backworth quickly chased down their target, requiring only 10 overs to reach 63-1.

Youngster Cory Dover took a return catch to dismiss Ben Sutton for 11, but fellow opener Alan Robson quickly reached 40 not out, with Mick Nicholson contributing three, to take maximum points.

The expected heavy rain soon came, but only after the visitors secured their fourth straight win to open up a 27-point lead at the top after other matches were called off.

GEM’s beat Cramlington at Chopwell by 24 runs, despite a century by Cramlington opener Paul Smiles.

Electing to bat first, GEM’s posted 253-7, with all-rounder Zhoaib Shahid top scoring with 65.

Omer Hussain scored 49 while Jawed Qureshi finished unbeaten on 45. Joseph Ingram claimed 5-55 for Cramlington.

The visitors lost wickets regularly, but were always within reach of their target thanks to opener Paul Smiles, who smashed 19 boundaries in his 118.

Smiles’ wicket left them on 196-8, after 35 overs, but despite 20 not out by tailender Ian Black, Cramlington fell short, all out after 46 overs for 229. Zhoaib Shahid the pick the bowlers with 3-33.

Rain caused a late start at Blyth, but they managed to maintain their unbeaten home record with a fivewicket victory over Stobswood.

Blyth won the toss and not surprisingly put their visitors into bat, and they totalled 106-8 from their 30 overs. Karl Dullaghan hit two fours and four sixes in his late-innings 40. David Ebdale finished with 4-23.

Blyth opener Chandra Purma and Gary Cotterill both scored 28 to help the hosts to 109-5 after 20 overs.

The matches between secondplaced Blagdon Park and Ashington Rugby, third-placed Blue Flames at Berwick and Warkworth’s home match with Whickham, all fell victims to the weather.

In Division One, Whitley Bay suffered a second successive defeat, losing by 107 runs at Whickham Second XI.

The hosts were put into bat, a decision that backfired after rain delayed the start and reduced the match to 42 overs.

Ian McIntyre made 85 and Peter Ruddick 72 helped Whickham post 248-5.

In reply, only three batsmen reached double figures, opener Mark Harris scoring 33, Craig Sample 22 and Jack Jeffrey making 34 as Whitley Bay were bowled out after 32 overs for only 141. Daniel Davison claimed 5-29.

The bad start for Kirkley continued as they lot at home to bottom side Blagdon Park 2nd XI by 60 runs.

The match was reduced to 35 overs, and Kirkley bowled 43 wides, helping the visitors to finish on 139-9 after being put into bat. Blagdon Park then bowled Kirkley out for 79 to earn their first win of the season.

Clara Vale won at home against Warenford by seven wickets. The visitors managed 83-7 in a match reduced to 25 overs. Clara Vale needed only 10 overs to reach 84-3.

Monkseaton’s home match against Ulgham got a start but lasted only eight overs, before rain ended proceedings, the hosts on 26-1.

The weather beat the top two unbeaten sides as Bomarsund’s match at home to Hebburn and Backworth Seconds’ match with Civil Service, were both off.