1st XI - Morpeth Stumble at Percy Main

Morpeth travelled to Percy Main on Saturday looking to extend their lead over Percy Main who sat only a point adrift before play. However, it did not go to plan for the league leaders and Percy Main took top spot by the end of the day.

Reagan won the toss and Morpeth batted first on what seemed to be a track that would make life difficult for the bowlers. This was not the case and Morpeth soon realised this as Reynolds was bowled by the slingy Nihalraj without scoring. Leason was digging in at the other end by new man Reagan looked bright until one stayed low from Nihalraj to trap the skipper LBW. Alleway joined Leason and the pair worked hard to build innings' and rescue the visitors.

The going was slow with the pitch helping some good bowling and the breakthrough came when Nihalraj had Leason caught behind for 28 and Alleway soon followed to 's slow left arm, again leg before. When dismissed Maxted cheaply to an iffy LBW Morpeth found themselves 80-5 and struggling. Nick Forster arrived at the crease and looked to be continuing his good form with some good strokes through the off side and the occasional pull shot. Wailes had joined him but on 10 clipped an Ali full toss straight to mid-wicket.

Palmer then came down the track and edged to slip for 1 and when Forster was run up after a mix-up for 20 and Elliott was bowled for 8 by the same bowler Morpeth were on 121-9. Only some smart batting from Jamie Forster and Loz Brown salvaged an extra batting point as Morpeth closed on a disappointing 136-9.

The Morpeth bowlers started well, with a depleted side Jack Palmer provided the only seam option and the hosts found runs hard to come by. Oversees Pro Ali started the day with 4 centuries in as many innings and was always the danger man. Reagan's off-spin saw Agarwal caught one-handed by Alleway at mid-on and when Palmer bowled Phillips Percy Main were rocking. Palmer then claimed another wicket caught behind with the Scoreboard reading 30-3.

Elliott and Alleway bowled well but Percy Main managed to block out from one end while Ali played an array of drives and flicks and took the game beyond doubt. Reagan took another deserved wicket and Elliott could have had Ali stumped and caught on separate occasions, but he ended with an unbeaten 79 as the run chase was completed with 10 overs and 6 wickets to spare.

Jonny Wailes

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