Jacques has his tyros in top form for Newcastle
JACQUES du Toit knows what it takes to play at the highest level – so Newcastle’s young squad have the mentor they need if they are to follow the South African into the professional game.
The club sit top of the North East Premier League thanks to an unbeaten start, which was extended with an 11-run win over Benwell Hill last Saturday in which former Leicestershire all-rounder Du Toit scored 167 not out and took 5-68.
Du Toit is the leader of the team and is relishing the task of helping the club’s youngsters – such as 22-year-old batsman James Carding – as they seek to win the division and progress into the county game.
“I think they have the talent without a doubt, but the mentality does need some work,” said 36year-old Du Toit.
“These guys have got to learn to cope when things don’t go well, if they get hit to the boundary or whatever, they need to develop a stronger character.
“I believe we have the most talented squad in the league without a doubt and when we get on a run we will be hard to stop.
“I’m the bad cop of the dressing room, but I believe in these players and I think it’s what they need.
“We are yet to put together a full performance with both batting and bowling in full swing, and when it clicks, I can’t see anyone stopping us.”
Du Toit, who averaged 31 in 46 first-class games, belted 13 sixes and 11 fours in his giant innings but admits he suffered early on as his side struggled to get a foothold against a strong Benwell Hill.
“It was all about getting a partnership and we struggled early on when it was a bit damp,” he said.
“Once we got that with myself and James Carding, it was all about managing the innings and getting a good score. I said to the boys ‘we’ve got them here, so let’s bowl well and see it home’ and we started steadily.
“We lost our way a bit but we got over the line. Now we look forward to putting a full performance together.”
Tynemouth, who sit second in the division, kept up the heat on Newcastle as they beat Hetton Lyons by 46 runs.
They go to Benwell Hill tomorrow, while Newcastle face a tough trip to South Shields.
Du Toit wasn’t the only inspired South African across the weekend, as Jandre Coetzee took 7-16 in Finchampstead’s six-wicket win at Great & Litte Tew in the Home Counties.
Up-and-coming all-rounder Felix Organ also carried his side impressively but in the end Hampshire Academy lost to Bashley in Southern Electric.
Organ scored 72 of his side’s disappointing total of 104, leaving Bashley with a simple amount to chase.
Four-time defending champions South Wilts relied on a ninth-wicket stand of 83 between Stephen Booth and Stephen Warner as they held on to draw with Havant.
But, whereas South Wilts were pleased with their draw, Peterborough Town were left frustrated as they lost further ground on Old Northamptonians at the top of Northamptonshire.
Asim Butt’s 93 and Lewis Bruce’s 4-66 were not enough for them to beat Northampton Saints, while Old Northamptonians breezed past Rushden Town by 38 runs.
But while a gap opens at the top of one league, it closes in another after Marske suffered their first defeat of the North Yorkshire & South Durham season against Seaton Carew.
Danny Thomas’ 5-36 inspired the two-wicket win, while Richmondshire closed in with victory against Hartlepool and a draw with Darlington.
Elsewhere, Darren Maddy scored 81 not out and took 3-12 as Birmingham & District leaders Berkswell beat Walmley and Lancashire spinner Simon Kerrigan top scored for Ormskirk in their Liverpool draw with Formby.