1st XI, Northumberland & Tyneside Senior League A1 - Morpeth Show Promise in Defeat

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Morpeth began the season with a challenging tie, playing host to reigning champions Tynedale. It was clear from the outset that their Northumbrian rivals, who have won the league on four of the last five campaigns, would provide stiff opposition.
 
Skipper Chris Reagan won the toss, and on a murky day with slightly green conditions, sent Tynedale into bat. New boy Chris ‘Fruit Corner’ Horner and seasoned pro James Craigs took the new ball and showed promising early signs. Tynedale opener Scott Kay showed positive intent early on, dispatching any loose deliveries to the boundary but his partner Brown soon lost his off-stump to the sharp Yorkshireman Horner for 4. The poodle-like Craigs picked up a wicket that he more than deserved, during an impressive spell of swing and seam, when Kay skied a full ball to deep square leg on 32. Where the
returning Stuart Hills made an awkward catch look elementary.
 
Prudhoe then had a torrid time at the hands of Horner, before Stu Hills was introduced and sent him packing, taking an easy return catch. Miserable pro Graham then turned things around with a steady innings, supported by Joe Barber. Spinners Reagan and ‘Pencil’ Elliott toiled without reward, but Craigs returned and Barber departed for 34 as Maxted’s nifty work had him stumped. Darling then supported Graham who seemed to hit gaps with unerring accuracy, however he departed for 19 after being clean bowled by Reagan, who claimed two more quick wickets with the help of more handy work from Maxted, to end with figures of 3-64. Hills’ reintroduction saw a welcome end to Graham for 89, with Reagan taking the catch at mid-wicket. A late flurry from the energetic Crichton left Tynedale on 259-8 after 50 overs.
 
Foxman and Reynolds opened for Morpeth, with Graham and Darling proving miserly without threatening. Foxman attempted to break the shackles by regularly advancing down the wicket, but his adventure found him caught at point, off Darling, for 12. Reynolds was beginning to look comfortable, easing the ball through the off side frequently and punching anything full down the ground when he was stumped to Armstrong’s off-spin for 34. Skipper Reagan shortly followed for 29, after some attractive square cuts and clips through mid wicket, also stumped to Armstrong. Maxted and Wailes attempted to get things going again, but after some lusty blows the former wholed out to long on, again to Armstrong. The off-spinner wasn’t finished yet, and was on his way to claiming 5-48. After some handsome pull shots and an impressive strike over the bowler’s head, Wailes was luckily caught one handed by a stumbling Craig Barber at deep mid-wicket for 16.
 
Brown was also caught on the boundary and Elliott was run out in one of his more giddy moments, as he appeared to be attempting to lap Barry Hills. Hills played maturely, working the ball into the gaps with the odd hefty blow, ending on 24 not out. Horner finished a promising debut by clouting Twizell, Kay and Armstrong to all parts in an action packed knock of 44. His dismissal brought in Stu Hills who completed the innings with an uncomplicated heave for a maximum over cow corner as Morpeth closed on 184-8.

Morpeth showed for large parts that they can more than compete with this calibre of side, but just let the game slip in vital passages of play. They did leave with 8 valuable bonus points and will look to improve on this away to Benwell and Walbottle next Saturday.
 

Jonny Wailes

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