Shields are setting their sights higher
DUKES NORTH EAST REGIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE
SOUTH Shields won their third game of the season with a narrow twowicket success at home to winless Felling - and have set their sights on climbing up the table.
Shields won the toss and decided to field and after skipper Stuart Walker was out first ball the rest of the Felling batting top order just fell away - apart from opener Gary Scott who made 20.
At one point Felling were 10-5 after devastating opening bowling from Matthew Muchall (4-37) and Salman Ahmed (3-23) and did well to reach 54-9, Michael Malthouse scoring 21.
At this point, No 11 batsman Simon Wood came in and belted 46 runs off 47 balls, including seven fours and a six.
With Craig Stephenson contributing 17 not out, they put on 71 for the tenth wicket to at least give themselves something to bowl at - albeit just 125.
In reply, opening bowler Mark Turner charged in and took three early wickets to give them half a chance.
However, skipper Christopher Rainbow dug in for 22 off 51 balls and the middle order eased the South Tynesiders to victory with 127-8 off 47.2 overs.
Shields treasurer Martin Rush said: “The wicket was a little dry and bounced a bit more than normal.
“However, it was the same for both sides and it was a very tight game of cricket - but enjoyable to win it.
“We are aiming to finish as high as we can this season, with a mid-table finish our priority and to give our excellent junior players an avenue to play cricket at a higher level. Sometimes they come in too early but that is cricket these days.
“Some clubs have to blood them early and we are no different.”
South North were held to a thrilling draw at home to Hetton Lyons,the visitors going tantalisingly close to pulling off a shock win.
South North decided to bat first and made 181-8 declared, Rob Peyton hitting the highest score of 46 off 43 balls.
The Lyons bowlers all made inroads with two wickets each for Josh Coughlin, Reece Wood, Robert Talbot and Cameron Grimwood.
Opener Dominic Thomson then made 71 and Chris Martin added 32, to equal South North’s total of 181, with seven wickets down and earn a creditable draw.
Stephen Humble was the pick of the bowling, returning 3-40.
Champions Chester-le-Street had Benwell Hill on 137-9 before rain washed out the remainder of play.
Max Williamson top-scored for the Hill with 29 not out, opening bowler Liam Simpson taking 3-37, and there were two wickets apiece for Stephen Cantwell and Quentin Hughes.
Tynemouth entertained Newcastle and decided to bat first after winning the toss.
However, they were bowled out for a paltry 31 - with three batsman topscoring with five runs to their name!
Opening bowler Callum Harding took 3-11 and first-change bowler Sean Tindale a brilliant 4-11.
In reply, Newcastle scored the runs required with the loss of three wickets, Joshua Phillipe making 14 not out off 7.5 overs.
The Durham Cricket Academy posted 193-3 against Eppleton at the Emirates.
Opener Scott Steel made 81 from 89 balls, including eight fours and a six, with skipper Christopher McBride adding 63 off 69 balls.
Eppleton never threatened to win but batted sensibly for the draw, ending up with 120-4.