Omar, it is a first victory of the season for City!
GO NORTH EAST NTH/LAND AND TYNESIDE SENIOR LG
NEWCASTLE City won their first match of the season at home to fellow strugglers Ponteland.
Pont are now rooted to the bottom of the table, whereas City climb out of the bottom two after earning 20 points from the match.
The home side were asked to bat first and made 166-7 off their allocated 30 overs.
Although six of the top seven batsmen reached double figures, neither of them could push on - apart from No 8, Omar Ahmed who scored an aggressive 49 not out.
When Ponteland batted, it was a similar story with five of the top eight batsmen getting into double figures but not managing to push on to a higher score.
Early wickets did help City’s cause and Palav Kumar (2-31) and Ian Stubbs (2-16) bowled well to support Inzuamam Ulhaq with 4-30 - and in the end this excellent bowling proved too much for Ponteland.
They made just 116 all out in their reply to lose by 50 runs - Sadiq Amin top-scoring on 22.
City’s Abid Mukhtar said: “We are absolutely delighted to win our first game, particularly against one of our closest rivals in the league.
“It was quite an exciting game of cricket but we were comfortable winners in the end.
“Our aim is to finish mid-table if we can this season but we will have to play well every week to achieve that.”
Elsewhere in Division A1, Ashington enjoyed a seven-wicket win at Ryton, restricting the hosts to 144-6 and then makng 145-3 in response.
Shotley Bridge bowled out Lanchester for just 74 - M Allen with 5-50 and Stuart Graham 4-23 - but then struggled to 75-6.
Guy Saxton claimed 5-22 and Nicky Phillips 3-21 as Swalwell bowled out Percy Main for only 72 and then romped to a 10-wicket success.
The matches between Consett and Tynedale and Leadgate and Lintz failed to finish due to rain.