Consett II 135-8 lost to Alnwick II 136-8 by two wicketsSaturday, September 1
ALNWICK II finished their difficult season on a high on Saturday with a hard-fought win at Consett.
What made the victory particularly satisfying
was the fact that it was the younger players who produced the match-winning performance.
Batting first, Consett struggled to overcome the combination of a difficult wicket and some lively opening bowling from Robertson and Bell. It was man-of-the-match Robertson who made the early breakthroughs, dismissing the two Consett openers.
He then took two excellent catches at second slip off the bowling of D Graham to put the home side under pressure.
Maughan, Tapp and Woods kept the batters thinking, and Consett's total of 135 owed a great deal to a hard-hitting, unbeaten 65 from Jones, who made the most of a couple of dropped catches.
Armin had a superb debut behind the stumps, taking four sharp catches and one stumping.
Chasing a total that was at least 20 higher than it needed to have been, Alnwick were given an early boost by some no balls and wides, but the home side fought back.
When the determined A Graham was dismissed, the visitors were struggling at 47 for four.
Robertson, completing a fine individual performance, smashed 33 in just 41 balls, but despite useful support from Tapp, who hit 18 in 19 balls, Scott and D Graham, Alnwick were 36 short of their target when they lost their eighth wicket.
However, cometh the hour, with the exception of one or two manic moments, Woods and Bell displayed considerable nerve and grit to keep the score ticking over, the former hitting the winning run with just three deliveries to spare.
Many more finishes like this and some of the older members of the team will be reaching for their pills.
Many thanks are due to Consett for their part in a highly competitive game played in by the best spirits.
ScorecardConsett IID Bridge c Armin b Robertson 4
D Wilkinson c Sub b Robertson 3
M Jones not out 65
J Hobbs c Robertson b D Graham 8
R Winn c Robertson b D Graham 9
P Hunstman c Armin b Maughan 5
A Waters c Armin b Tapp 0
S Kelly c Armin b Maughan 7
T Wilkinson s Armin b Maughan 7
Extras 29
Total (8wkts) 135
Bowling: T Robertson 2-42; P Bell 0-11; D Graham 2-16; B Maughan 3-33; J Tapp 1-17; C Woods 0-13.
Alnwick IIJ Eeles c Williamson b Hunstman 4
A Armin b Waters 6
A Graham b Dixon 6
B Maughan c Jones b Waters 0
T Robertson c Kelly b Bridge 33
J Tapp s Wilkinson b Bridge 18
A Scott c Winn b Huntsman 11
D Graham c Winn b Huntsman 10
C Woods not out 23
P Bell not out 14
Extras 11
Total (8wkts) 136
Bowling: M Dixon 1-50; P Huntsman 3-34; A Waters 2-26; D Bridge 1-23.
The full article contains 528 words and appears in Northumberland Gazette newspaper.
