1st XI - Morpeth Edged out in Longhirst Run-Fest

Morpeth more than played their part in one the best games seen at Longhirst in recent times. It was not a day to be a bowler, as the ball flew to all parts throughout the day, with the sun beating down on a hard and flat surface.

It was opponents Newcastle City that got first use of the conditions, and they showed their intent early on, flying away at over a run a ball, riding their luck on numerous occasions. Horner took the early wicket of Kashyap, as he played an ugly swipe to a short-ish ball, Jonny Craigs taking an easy catch at mid-off. But the visitors were not to be deterred and continued to through the bat at anything vaguely off target. Other opener Hussain was run out for 40, as Barry Hills’ good work let ‘Palamino’ Paul Elliott take the bails off.

Clean striking and clinical hitting had seen Halalgoon race to 50, when Morpeth’s best bowler Reagan trapped him LBW with an arm ball landing on the No.3’s toe. Finger spinners Elliott and Reagan had been showing good control when Professional Uniyal began to show his class, manipulating the ball to all parts, and some hefty blows down the wicket. Singh gave good sturdy support, until Horner returned to trap him in front for 25. However, Uniyal was stealing the show and reached three figures in emphatic fashion, looking every inch the first class cricketer that he is.

Elliott did end the Indian’s innings, on 117, and also yorked Gogar in a good last spell. Stu Hills took a wicket in the final over as the visitors posted a daunting 332-7 off their 50 overs.

Morpeth openers Reynolds and Jonny Craigs set off at a good rate, building a platform for the barrage that was to follow. The pair were beginning to rocket along when a misunderstanding saw Craigs run out for 22. This bought pinch hitter Stu Hills to the crease but it was Aussie Reynolds that upped the flow of runs. The left-hander blazed the ball to all parts, pulling Uniyal over square leg on numerous occasions and hitting anything full straight for four. On 14, Bhatti had Hills caught behind, bringing brother Barry to the crease. Hills lay anchor as Reynolds graceful yet blistering knock galloped past 50, but with a hundred looking imminent; he skied an Ahmed delivery and was caught by the bowler on 78.

Just when the home side’s hopes looked dashed, Maxted turned the game on its head once more. In a blistering knock, the ‘keeper dispatched all bowling to the boundary, the pacey Uniyal was put to the sword as Maxted hit several sixes over mid-wicket and square-leg. Just as Morpeth began to look like challenging the Newcastle City, experienced campaigner Brar bowled Maxted for a remarkable 51. Reagan batted next, despite a suspected broken thumb, but perished on 6. Horner was next to swing the willow and after some lusty blows, was bowled by Brar for 17.

Meanwhile, Hills was maturely knocking the runs off, cleverly working the bowling around and picking up two’s galore. He fell on 66, caught and bowled sharply by Uniyal. Wailes had a last dart, hitting Uniyal straight for four and pulling him for six and the run rate reached 12 an over. But Brar had him caught in the deep for 18. Palmer and jimmy Craigs were out bravely going for a memorable victory but Morpeth fell short, being bowled out for 305 with 2 overs remaining. An outstanding game will not be easily forgotten, although Morpeth took many positives, a loss was the outcome.

Next week they travel to Swalwell in hope that their batsmen can recreate this sort of performance.
 

Jonny Wailes

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