Saturday, June 27 2009

ALNWICK found Newcastle City too strong on Saturday, going down by 55 runs due to a combination of some missed chances in the field and poor batting in reply to a large total.

Bateman and O'Hara returned the best figures while Daniel Graham with 24 and a ninth wicket stand of 50 between skipper Stewart and O'Hara made the finals score more respectable.

On a damp and dull day Stewart won the toss and invited the home side to take first knock, a decision that appeared to be first class as Bateman bowled Kashyap with the first delivery and in his second over had Mohammed lbw leaving Newcastle reeling on eight for two.

Jennison and Ahmed added 38 before Peberdy took a good catch down the leg side to dismiss Jennison off the bowling of O'Hara.

Ahmed and Jappie added 50 until Jappie was out to a good catch by Wright.

Haider and Ahmed took the score to 126 when Ahmed was caught by Wright off Bateman for a fine 53, with 19 overs left the home side with Haider, in particular, increasing the scoring rate and although wickets fell at regular intervals Alnwick were unable to stem the scoring rate as the home side added 75 runs in the last 15 overs but losing the rest of their wickets with Haider remaining undefeated at the end with 65.

Alnwick opened against the bowling of Sachien Brar and Jolly, with Brewis and Scott taking the attack to the bowlers. Scott was first to leave. He was caught at mid-on when attempting to pull Jolly.

Brewis who had opened aggressively was next to leave, caught at mid-off, leaving visitors at 27 for two.

Haider replaced Brar and had immediate success bowling Peberdy and trapping Wasmuth lbw.

Daniel Graham and Wright appeared to be rescuing the cause adding 30 before Wright edge Jappie to slip followed identically by Hammond.

Matthewson was caught at 77 and Graham was out for a good 24, leaving Alnwick at 93 for eight.

O'Hara and Stewart then proceeded to show the earlier batsmen how, with patience and good technique, runs could been scored and they eventually took the score to 150 off 50 overs, gaining three bonus points on the way.

This was not one of Alnwick's better days, losing to fellow strugglers who moved above them in the league and unless more application is shown in the second half of the season it will become a struggle to get out of the relegation zone.