2nd XI - Centurion Poxton Leads the Way for Morpeth

Morpeth Seconds continued their excellent start to the season with another victory on Saturday. This time they had far too much for local rivals Alnwick and claimed the maximum 20 point victory. Morpeth scored 212 for six from their allotted overs, with Andrew Poxton carrying his bat for a brilliant 108. In reply Alnwick were dismissed for 128, with the gentle off-spin of Elliott proving far too much for half the Alnwick batting line up, as he returned 5 for 28.

On a warm and humid day underneath grey sky's Morpeth Captain Maxted called correctly and promptly choose to make first use of the wicket, which looked slow and crumbly before a ball had been bowled. Opening pair Cowell and Poxton set off steadily with some watchful batting as the track did prove to be slow and at times low bouncing.

However, in the fifth over Cowell tried to dispatch a wide long hop from Morton, but only succeeded in edging behind where Peberdy took a low catch in front of him, and fell for 5. Tom Wright joined Poxton and began well with a couple of graceful boundaries to take him 8, however before he could make a further impression on the scoreboard he was undone by a full toss outside his off stump. The ball was steered off the outside edge to point where Bell took a diving catch to give Roxbrough his only wicket. This left Morpeth struggling on 29 for 2 in the tenth over.

The experience of Elliott entered the fray at four and he managed to work the ball around well for ones and twos, before unleashing the Elliott 'dabble' to bring up a boundary. However, this was to be the last contribution as Elliott holed out to mid off with a tame chip for 14, giving Shaw his first wicket. Morpeth were continuing to struggle but fortunately things clicked as Goodings came to the crease.

Poxton had been patiently biding his time, and slowly gaining confidence and timing on the wicket, and this started to reap rewards. Both batsmen were cutting and driving well, bringing up regular boundaries as the scoring rate increased dramatically and the Morpeth 100 was reached. The partnership was worth exactly fifty from 9 overs, when disaster struck. As Poxton watched a chip sail towards a fielder he was also jogging down the track, as the fielder dropped the ball Poxton called for the run. This left Goodings struggling to make his ground from a standing start and he was subsequently run out for 18.

The run out did not disturb Poxton's concentration, and he soon brought up his half century with a lovely drive for four. Having made it to fifty, this was the signal for Poxton's scoring rate to increase and he was particularly brutal on Maughan. At the other end Wonders succumbed trying to drive a yorker from Shaw and was clean bowled for 5, however the partnership with Poxton had added 29 and Morpeth were setting their sights on a competitive 200 plus score.

Jones joined Poxton and played some lovely shots in particular a couple of cuts for four. While Poxton was still accumulating runs with well placed shots for ones and twos, and dispatching anything lose for four. But Jones wasn't to last for long, and he fell for 16 caught by Bell at mid off to the bowling of Morton. Maxted came to the crease, with Morpeth on 159 for 6 with 35 overs gone.

Poxton was homing in on a maiden century, and dispatched one Roxbrough over for 14 to take himself onto 95. At the other end Maxted was stealing quick singles to leave Poxton with as much strike as possible, but did find time to crack Morton to the wide long off boundary. It was from the next Morton over that Poxton reached his century, placing a cover driver into the offside and coming back for two, to much applause from his team mates. There was still time for one more boundary from Poxton before Morpeth closed on 212 for 6, with Poxton undefeated on 108 and Maxted 16 not out.

Morpeth began after the tea break with new ball pair Jones and Rose, and while Jones began well beating the bat regularly, Rose struggled for line and length. However, Jones made the breakthrough in the seventh over, having Armin caught at point by Maxted for 6. At the other end Wright replaced Jones and started well finding a much more consistent line and length to compliment Jones.

While the bowling was good, the Alnwick batsmen Peberdy and Young were accumulating runs nicely by punishing any loose deliveries with Peberdy particularly severe on any width outside the off stump. Jones finished his spell well with another maiden for figures of 7 overs, one for 24. At the other end Wright was toiling away with little success, as he had Young dropped by Elliott in the gully, but he was managing to be miserly with the runs.

Maxted replaced Jones at the rugby ground end, and had obviously been watching the England bowlers far too much, as he sprayed it around. However, with Alnwick poised to push on towards the Morpeth total at 80 for 1 in the twenty first over, Maxted made the breakthrough. Peberdy was out to a juggling catch by Poxton at cover for 44. The breakthrough should have brought two, as Wright had Maughan dropped by the wicket keeper in the next over.

However, he wasn't to be denied for long as he eventually got his man plumb LBW for 6 and all of a sudden Alnwick were wobbling on 88 for 3 after 24 overs. Elliott had replaced Maxted at the other end and was causing trouble immediately with his off spin providing flight and drift to deceive the batsmen. But it was Wright who added to his tally by bowling Scott for 8 to round off a very impressive spell with two for 29. It was now time for Elliott to get in on the act and he had Young caught on the long on boundary for 21, where Rose to a good running catch.

In Elliott's next over Shaw was caught by Poxton, who hung on to a sharp chance at mid wicket, for 12. All of a sudden Alnwick were staring at defeat on 110 for 6, and Morpeth were eager to push home their advantage and claim victory quickly. Elliott made sure that was going to happen as Morton was clean bowled attempting a horrible cross batted heave, and in the same over Woods chipped back a return catch. All that was left was for Elliott to claim his five fer, which was achieved in his next over when Clow stumped Roxbrough for 3.

The innings was all wrapped up when Embley clean bowled the Alnwick skipper for 4, and they were all out for 128 in the 38th over. Morpeth took the maximum points and continue their excellent start to the season, next week they entertain Ponteland at Longhirst Hall.

Chris Maxted

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