Whitburn are riding high as title bid gathers pace
DUKES NORTH EAST PREMIER LG
PAUL Shields claims Whitburn are “enjoying the ride” as they continue to keep the pressure on Premier Division leaders South Northumberland, writes TONY HODGSON.
Saturday’s five-wicket win over Newcastle leaves the South Tynesiders flying high in second place - 29 points behind the reigning champions.
Captain Shields admits his team is performing better than expected - and hopes it can maintain its encouraging form in the second half of the summer.
He said: “We have had an excellent start to the season, one which has been way beyond our expectations to be honest.
“The lads are full of confidence and happy with the way things are going.
“To be second in the table at this stage of the season is fantastic and we are just enjoying the ride. Hopefully we can keep on doing so.”
Whitburn put Newcastle into bat and restricted them to 172 all out - Craig Smith (left) taking 4-65 and Matthew Muchall 3-43.
Lee Henderson and Chris McBride each made 37 and Shields 33 not out as the title challengers replied with 173-5.
Shields added: “It was a really tough game at Jesmond, a ground where we had never previously won a league match.
“We ground out a result in the end and I was delighted to contribute to the bat. It was an excellent day for us again.”
The victory extended Whitburn’s run to just one defeat in 11 league games - and Shields put their success down to teamwork.
He said: “Our opening bowlers Kieran Waterson and Craig Smith already have 50 wickets between them this season. “They have been backed up well by Matt Muchall, Mark Elliott and Chris Stewart who have put us into winning positions in games.
“Our batting has been great too - Phil Bell hit a brilliant century against Chester-le-Street recently and others have contributed when it mattered. It has been a real team effort.”
South North, however, remain the team to beat - and they are the only to-flight side still undefeated after seeing off Eppleton by 43 runs.
The Gosforth outfit totalled 186 all out batting first, opener Simon Birtwistle contributing 71 and Dean Musther claiming 3-43 and Joseph Coyne 3-31.
The visitors started brightly, Luke Henderson hitting 48 and Marcus Brown 29 - but Lee Crozier took 4-23 and Michael Craigs 3-20 as the Hetton outfit was bowled out for 143.
Hetton Lyons stay in the title frame in third after overcoming Sacriston by five wickets.
Sacriston amassed 189-9, Reece Carr scoring 56 and Graeme Bridge 34 not out, while Jonathan Malkin returned figures of 4-45.
The Lyons replied with 190-5, thanks mainly to Stuart Walker (65) and Chris Martin (55) who put on 50 for the third wicket.
Chester-le-Street are also up in fourth after ight wickets - the Hill by eight wickets.