Final spot too steep for the Hill

BENWELL Hill, who were missing Scotland international Kyle Coetzer, won the toss and chose to bat against Chester-le-street in the first Banks Salver semi-final.

Coetzer, who has opened the batting and bowling in recent weeks, was an obvious miss as Benwell Hill were bowled out for

153 with three balls remaining.

Luke Doneathy, Coetzer’s usual opening partner, top-scored with 32 from 46 balls before he was stumped off the bowling of Quentin Hughes (1/27). Finn Mccreath and Rory Hanley added 23 each, but no one else was able to make much of an impact with the bat.

There were wickets for Brodie Glendinning (2/36), Amaan Ulhaq (2/22) and Liam Burgess (2/30) as an all-around bowling performance helped Chester-le-street to take control at the halfway point.

This collective effort continued when all of their top five contributed to the run chase, with John Coxon (46* from 73) and Quentin Hughes (25* from 40) unbeaten at the end, their partnership worth 67.

Callum Harding was the pick of the Benwell Hill bowlers, taking 1/14 from seven economical overs, but openers Doneathy and Rory Hanley were expensive, and once Chesterle-street got off to a flier they never looked in doubt. They reached their target with three wickets down and with five overs to spare.

In the second semi-final, Ross Greenwell made 72 from 84 balls, including five fours and two sixes, to help Burnmoor to a first-innings total of 187/9 against South North.

He was supported by Ryan

Pringle (29), Kevin Ward (19), and Alex Simpson (16), but none of the three pushed on, and Burnmoor were unable to make it past 200.

They were stopped in part by Oliver Mcgee, who took four wickets (4/36), and there were also two for the dangerous Sean Tindale (2/41). When South Northumberland batted, opening bowler Alex Simpson (2/22) made the early breakthrough for Burnmoor, removing the in-form Simon Birtwisle for a duck in his first over.

Ross Greenwell completed a good day by picking up two early wickets (2/25) to leave South Northumberland in trouble at 23/3.

The middle order showed some resistance with the bat, especially Adam Cragg (54 from 85 balls). Jacques Du Toit (21), Sean Tindale (19), and John Graham (14) all spent time at the crease, but not long enough to cause Burnmoor any real problems, and South North were all out for 145 inside 37 overs.

Burnmoor won by 42 runs to secure a place in next weekend’s final, played at Chester-le-street.