1st XI - Maxted blasts Morpeth to victory

Morpeth brought their recent run of defeats to a welcome end against a struggling Percy Main side on Saturday. After a disciplined bowling performance, the visitors were indebted to wicket-keeper batsman Ben Maxted after a fluent knock of 69 took Morpeth home.

The day started in slightly surreal circumstances as star Aussie bat Blake Reynolds sustained an eye injury in the pre-match warm up, impairing his vision and looks considerably. With that in mind, skipper Reagan inserted the hosts Percy Main to bat on an even but low track. Jimmy Craigs broke through immediately in the second over as Wailes caught one handed diving low to his right at gully, sending Lindley back to the pavilion without scoring. Craigs and Horner bowled tightly as Ali and Sharp rebuilt.

After more than a touch of luck Sharp departed for 21, caught behind by Maxted from Mikey Craigs left arm seam. Craigs was not finished there as Phillips was bowled without bothering the scorers. 17-year-old Craigs finished a thoroughly impressive spell when he trapped Mirza in front, for 25. He finished with figures of 3-35, and his principal partner in crime was Jack ‘Snakey’ Palmer, who had already had Agarwal caught sharply at slip by Reagan when he removed the commanding Ali for 53. After some graceful stroke play, the overseas professional was beginning to look dangerous when an under-edge was taken by Maxted. He ended up with 3-14 after returning and claiming the final Percy Main wicket.

After Ali’s departure wickets began to tumble, and Reagan got a much deserved reward for the persistent threat, bowling Hammond for 5, then having Nihilraj caught at deep mid on by Stu Hills, who scampered in to take a diving effort. Hills himself had Ainsworth caught in the deep by Jimmy Craigs, and Palmer clean bowled Butler as Percy Main skipper Walker was stranded on 13 not out as the home side were all out for 157.

Morpeth were forced into shuffling their batting order so Maxted opened with Mikey Craigs, and they looked comfortable until Craigs was caught a gully by the juggling Sharp for 8. Reagan joined the ‘keeper and the run rate climbed as the pair set about anything vaguely loose. After several clips through and over the on-side Reagan was caught behind for 18 from Nihilraj’s skiddy left arm bowling. All the while Maxted was kicking on and showing positive intent, with some lusty hitting down the ground, and anything fractionally straight disappearing to the mid-wicket boundary. The one-man onslaught was ended when leg-spinner Mirza bowled Maxted for an astonishing 69.

Morpeth did begin to struggle as Barry Hills was caught by Ali from a swinging Nihilraj delivery for 7. Wailes was joined by Palmer, but the latter soon edged Mirza to a wide slip. With Morpeth only needing 35 more runs, Reynolds appeared and looked as imperious as ever. Wailes pulled and cut Nihilraj to the boundary and hit Mirza for a straight six. With the game almost over, Wailes was given LBW to Mirza but Reynolds hit a straight six and masterful cover-drive to complete a much needed win for Morpeth.

Next Saturday Morpeth host Newcastle City in hope of building some momentum with which they can climb the league after a somewhat faltering start.
 

Jonny Wailes

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