Alnwick II lost to Morepth II by 65 runs.

ALNWICK II gave an improved all-round performance against Morpeth II but, as at Benwell and Warbottle two weeks ago, they came off second best.

After winning the toss, Morpeth batted first on a firm but fairly slow-paced wicket. Openers Elliott and Kelmsley made steady progress for the first 15 overs, but they then began to accelerate, taking the score into three figures. With 20 overs still to go, a score well over 200 seemed likely.

However, the home side's bowlers kept plugging away, and as a result Morpeth batters never quite took total control.

Ally Graham bowled a teasing spell of leg spin, gaining the prize wicket of Kelmsley, who had been threatening to run riot.

Scott bowled his in-swingers well but with little luck, suffering from a couple of dropped catches. Woods settled down after a shaky start, his final four overs cost just 10 runs.

Pick of the bunch, though was young Andi Allan, who conceded just 13 runs in six overs of exceptionally accurate left arm bowling.

The fact that none of his overs were maidens makes his figures even more impressive. Andi's hard work in the nets has obviously paid dividends. Chasing a target of 194, Alnwick stayed positive despite the early loss of Armin.

Eeles and Scott moved the score into the 40s before Elliott had the former caught behind and then Bateman played aggressively, at one point hitting a remarkable flat six over mid-on.

Unfortunately, once Scott and Bateman had departed, Alnwick couldn't keep the momentum going. Graham batted sensibly and Hunter once again defied time and his hamstrings to help gain his side a second batting point.

SCORECARD

Morpeth II

M Elliott run out 42
P Kelmsley b Graham 63
J Clark not out 16
R Jones b Roxburgh 31
P Wonders not out 22

Extras 19
Total (3wkts) 193

Bowling: M Roxburgh 1-55; A Armin 0-30; A Scott 0-27; C Woods 0-30; A Graham 1-27; A Allan 0-13.

Alnwick II

J Eeles c Clow b Elliott 24
A Armin c Embley b Jones 1
A Scott lbw b Maxted 23
M Bateman b Elliott 27
C Woods lbw b Elliott 3
A Graham not out 9
M Roxburgh c Jones b Embley 8
J Cowan run out 5
R Green b Jones 2
A Allan b Jones 1
J Hunter not out 8

Extras 11
Total (9wkts) 128

Bowling: B Jones 3-18; P Nyland 0-25; M Elliott 3-48; C Maxted 1-10; R Embley 1-8; J Clark 0-9.

Morpeth II beat Alnwick II by 65 runs.