NORTH EAST CRICKET ROUND-UP
SOUTH Northumberland have successfully defended their Dukes
ECB North East Premier League title as rain caused chaos around the region.
Second-placed Burnmoor needed to defeat visiting Sunderland to stand any chance of preventing South
North from retaining their crown but the weather caused the game to be abandoned, with the hosts 8-2.
That outcome dampened both sides’ spirits as it means the Ashbrooke outfit were relegated, along with Eppleton.
But there was joy for South North, even as their match with third-placed Hetton Lyons was also a victim of the bad weather.
They managed to post a score of 230-7, with skipper Adam Cragg (58), Solomon Bell (51) and Christopher Hewison (46) all in the runs.
However, the rain prevented the Lyons from replying and the match was called off, leaving the hosts to celebrate back-to-back titles.
The matches between Burnopfield and Whitburn, Chester-le-street and Benwell Hill, and Tynemouth v Eppleton, were all abandoned.
Newcastle’s game at home to Felling did at least see some action, though, and the hosts were going along at 134-4 – before the rain hit.
Home star Jacques du Toit hit an unbeaten 62 from 52 balls but the rain led to another abandonment.
There were mixed emotions when Castle Eden and Blaydon’s clash was called off as the hosts were confirmed as Division One champions but the visiting side were relegated without a ball being bowled.
Castle Eden will be joined in the top tier by Ashington, whose clash at third-placed Shotley Bridge was rained off, leaving the hosts agonisingly short of promotion.
The matches between Philadelphia and Crook, Sacriston and Lanchester, Washington and Seaham Park, Willington and Gateshead Fell were all abandoned due to rain.
Tynedale snatched the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League Division One title on the final day, leapfrogging Newcastle City.
City’s clash at Swalwell fell foul of the rain, meaning the Dale knew victory at Alnmouth and Lesbury would see them take the championship.
The hosts batted first in a match with each side getting 25 overs. Archie Fletcher (2-29) struck two early blows for Tynedale but then Archie Elder (24) and Robert Burnett (27) put on 30 runs for the third wicket.
The hosts then lost two more wickets and slumped to 82-6 before finishing on 107-9, as Sam Peter claimed impressive figures of 3-24 and Thomas Cant chipped in with 2-27.
But when Tynedale’s opening pair – skipper Cant and Daniel Parker – were quickly out, the title hopefuls were in the precarious position of 13-2 after a quarter of their innings.
Tim Raglan and Deon Billington (18), then put on 28 runs for the third wicket, with Euan Stephenson then scoring an important 22 from 19 balls to get them to 81-4, from 16 overs.
Needing 27 runs to win from nine overs, man of the match Raglan made a precious 42 not out from 52 balls, ably assisted with Craig Barber (16no), to claim victory on 109-4 from 20.4 overs.
The other matches between Annfield Plain and Stocksfield, Consett and relegated Tillside, and Morpeth and Percy Main were all abandoned.
Meanwhile, Whickham and Backworth were promoted from Division Two while Bedlington were relegated on a day ruined by the weather.
Bill Quay’s good start in their Readers Durham and North East Cricket League Division Two relegation decider was all for nothing as the weather saw them consigned to the third tier.
Needing a win at home to Ushaw Moor to stay up, they made 158-3 from 34 overs – only for the rain to curtail the match. The result means they will join Murton in Division Three.
The only other game in the league to see any action came in Division One, where Hylton were on 73-1 at Seaham Harbour before the rains came and led to yet another abandonment.