1st XI - Morpeth’s Strong Start Continues

Morpeth continued their 100% record so far this term with a comfortable victory at Whickham on Saturday. Reagan lost the toss and it was no shock when the visitors were asked to bat on another green top with overcast conditions. The openers had to work hard against some disciplined bowling early on but Reynolds and Leason looked to be weathering the storm when Reynolds was unluckily adjudged to have nicked a delivery from South-African Parr for 13. Morpeth continued to falter as Reagan was trapped by Moore’s medium pace, leg before on 10.

Leason was showing his experience though and the punchy right-hander was joined by Maxted who looked positive early on against both seamers. Helped by some friendly 1st change seam bowling, Leason began looking more expansive. However on 24, after a cleanly hit straight six Maxted was LBW to May, and Leason followed soon after also LBW for 46, despite what appeared to be an inside edge.

Suddenly looking vulnerable, new recruit from Tynemouth Nick Forster and returning meaty Left-Hander Jonny Craigs laid the foundation for what would be an unreachable target. Forster looked elegant and patient were necessary, while Craigs refused to let any bowlers settle by driving anything over pitched and regularly advanced down the pitch to upset the bowlers’ rhythm.

Craigs had passed fifty with a flurry of straight hits for four and six and Forster looked to be headed for the milestone when they fell in quick succession with only a few overs to go. After a superb back foot punch through mid-off, Forster was caught in the deep by Moore off Thornberry’s bowling for 37, and Parr returned to york Craigs for a masterful 66.

Wailes and Horner both perished caught on the boundary, and Palmer gave Parr his fourth wicket, also losing his off stump. When Paul ‘Palomino’ Elliott was run out in slightly chaotic fashion in the final over, Morpeth were all out for 238.

It always looked like a healthy score on a bowler-friendly pitch and Jimmy Craigs got his customary early wicket in his 2nd over as a leading edge was easily taken by Leason scampering in from Square Leg. Horner had looked dangerous and often beat the bat, and got his reward with an LBW early on. Whickham tried to remain positive and Noble produced some clean hitting during his 40 until he drilled a Jimmy Craigs delivery to cousin Jonny who took an agile catch at mid-off.

Professional Parr showed some clean hits but Palmer was brought on and the wiry in-swing bowler produced a tight spell alongside Reagan’s off-spin. In a 9 over spell, Palmer took a wicket caught behind well by Reynolds, conceding just 20 runs and When Parr was dismissed, having never got to grips with Reagan’s variety and turn, by top edging to Palmer at short fine leg the game was all but over.

The pair ended their spells but Reagan and Palmer soon returned to tie up the innings. Palmer ended up with 3-32 including a notably sharp Yorker and Reagan was sliced to deep cover where Forster took an athletic catch diving forward. He finished with 3-27, clean bowling the last man in as the hosts were bowled out for 162.

Morpeth hope to start in similar fashion in the Twenty20 cup on Wednesday, at home to Alnwick, 6pm start.

Man-of-the-Match: Jonny Craigs

Jonny Wailes

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