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WASHED OUT
TORRENTIAL rain played havoc with the weekend's programme. The 1st XI were rocking at 27 for three when the rains came. Pro Brendan Adams and Durham contracted player Karl Turner were removed by Benwell Hill's South African paceman Rob Frylinck whilst skipper Richard Waite was dismissed by wily seamer Martin Pollard to secure the bowling point.
The second team suffered a complete washout as their game at Denton Bank was abandoned without a ball being bowled. A similar fate befell Durham 2nds who were due to play Derbyshire at Grangefield on Monday (see above).
DERBY DAY DEBACLE
DESPITE arriving at Station Road with high hopes Stockton suffered an ignominous defeat at the hands of close neighbours Norton.
Norton's Marc Symington (75) and Gary Park (40) put their side firmly in control during the morning session. However, the lunch had a binding effect as runs suddenly became hard to come by in the afternoon session. Firstly, Norton slipped to 161 all out as Stockton skipper, Richard Waite claimed four for 8. Then Norton's replacement professional Craig Knox and left arm seamer Jonathan Kean used the ample cloud cover to great effect as Stockton plummeted to 0 for two as Karl Turner and Brendan Adams were sent back without troubling the scorers. Their dismissals were closely followed by that of Lee Mason who was adjudged LBW after being hit on the full by Knox. Skipper Richard Waite also fell to the South African paceman, bowled after misjudging a delivery that left him off the pitch (see above). Stockton were now in total disarray and only Chris Hooker (27) and Dean Williams (21) offered any semblance of resistance as they crumbled to 76 all out.
Norton 161 (M J Symington 75, G Park 40, R P Waite 4-8, B Adams 2-15, K Turner 2-65)
Stockton 76 ( C J Hooker 27, D R Williams 21, J J Kean 4-38, M J Symington 3-10,
C Knox 3-26)
Stockton lost by 85 runs
Stockton 5pts Norton 22pts
TWENTY20 FEVER GRIPS GRANGEFIELD
A SUBSTANTIAL crowd witnessed Grangefield’s first sojourn into the realms of Twenty20 cricket. Clad in green Richard Waite’s merry men took on Durham Academy, who along with the umpires wore black for the occasion. Batsmen ran out to the sound of their favourite song whilst a small band of volunteers served up burgers and sausages from underneath the scoreboard. Basking in late evening sunshine the crowd lapped it up and the queue for the bar grew to a size that was reminiscent of the lines of savers seen outside the league sponsors’ high street branches a few months ago.
Stockton elected to bat first and once the umpires had established that the men in black were only allowed eleven on the field the game recommenced. The home side lost pinch hitter Kevin Ward early in the piece. Having survived a simple chance he fell to a good catch at extra cover. Former Academy pupil Karl Turner (above) took up the reins for his new team and with a combination of deft reverse sweeps, angled glances and bludgeoned boundaries he put the home side in the driving seat. Supported firstly by Waite and then by Darwin he accumulated 85 before falling to an excellent catch at mid wicket. His dismissal far from calling halt to the crowd’s entertainment brought about one of the evening’s most abiding memories, Stockton vice-captain Chris Hooker striding out to bat to the sound of the Postman Pat theme tune albeit on this occasion devoid of his black and white cat. Hooker and Darwin saw the innings through to its close with Stockton finishing on 149 for four.
In front of a continually increasing and partisan audience, Stokes and Hopwood began cautiously, assembling rather than amassing runs and when Stokes was stumped by Williams off the bowling of Waite the required rate was up to almost ten runs an over. Academy skipper Smith injected some urgency into his men but despite his valiant attempt the men in green held firm to win by 18 runs.
Despite their win Stockton finished second behind neighbours Norton which potentially brings this seasons’ colourful Friday evening entertainment to an end. However, watch this space since in true “Prize fighting” tradition a purse has been offered and the gauntlet thrown down in front of Norton.
Stockton 149-4 (K Turner 85, G R Darwin 31*)
Durham Academy 131-6
Stockton won by 18 runs
WEEKEND WASHOUT
SATURDAY'S important clash against struggling Gateshead Fell was washed out after Stockton had reached 55 without loss.
Stockton 55-0 (B Adams 36*, K Turner 20*)
Gateshead Fell
Match Abandoned
Stockton 5pts Gateshead Fell 5pts
SIMIILARLY the 2nd XI games at Gateshead Fell in the league and at home to Benwell Hill in the Banks Bowl also fell victim to the weather.
Saturday 14th June
STOCKTON CAN'T BEAT THE RAIN
FOLLOWING last week’s debacle, some semblance of sanity returned to Grangefield when possibly due as much to the skippers pre match team talk revolving round the top order and runs as anything else, the firsts managed a comfortable winning draw against Sunderland.
The opening stand between Brendon Adams (37) and Guy Darwin (64) yielded 64 which coupled with a fine 77 from Richard Waite allowed a typically aggressive Chris Hooker to be promoted up the order and blast a quick unbeaten 38. The transformation in form and the resulting runs meant Stockton could declared after 60 overs on 253 for four having gained maximum batting points.
When the Wearsiders took the crease confidence abounded in the Stockton camp. Early wickets fell to Andrew Parr and Brendon Adams. But alas so did the rain, halting proceedings for firstly four overs then when Sunderland were reduced to 122 for six a further ten overs .
At close of play a dispirited Sunderland team had reached 145 for seven.
Stockton 253 for 4 dec (R P Waite 77, G R Darwin 64, C J Hooker 38*, B C Adams 37)
Sunderland 145 for 7 (S Walker 32 , B Adams 3-19, A Parr 2-21, R P Waite 2- 47)
Match Drawn
Stockton 15pts Sunderland 7pts
Match Photos
Sunday 8th June
STOCKTON BASH BISHOPS
A MUCH improved performance from the previous day saw Stockton progress through to the next round of the Matthew Oswald Cup at the expense of NYSD outfit Bishop Auckland.
On a glorious summer's day Stockton restricted the visitors to less than than five an over with only former Norton skipper Ben Usher (46) causing any problems. Youngster Joel Thwaites contined his considerable improvement this term claiming three Bishops wickets for only 8 runs in his three overs. Having lost pro Brendon Adams first ball for the second day in succession things looked ominous but firstly Kevin Ward (42) following on from where he left off at Norton and then skipper Richard Waite (above) who finished undefeated on 76 and Dean Williams (25 not out) made sure that the victory was secure.
Bishop Auckland 174-7 (B C Usher 46, J Thwaites 3-8, B Adams 2-35)
Stockton 178-4 (R P Waite 76*, K L Ward 42, D R Williams 25*)
Stockton won by 6 wkts
Saturday 7th June
HUMBLED
A NIGHTMARE trip to perennial champions South North saw Stockton completely annihilated by the home side. England Amateur XI all rounder Stephen Humble swung the ball prodigiously to cause Stockton major problems as he claimed six for 21. Only Guy Darwin (11) and Dean Williams (10) managed double figures as Stockton capitulated to 53 all out. Chris Hooker managed to claim three for 15 before the Bulls coasted to a seven wicket win.
Stockton 53 (S Humble 6-21, L Crozier 2-16)
South North 55-3 (C J Hooker 3-15)
Stockton lost by 7 wickets
Stockton 1pt South North 25pts
Friday 6th June
"LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU"
AMIDST the aroma of sizzling sausages and the sounds of Robbie Williams’ “Let me Entertain You” pyjama cricket has finally hit Teesside.
The burgeoning popularity of 20-20 has not been lost on the Northern Rock Premier League and last night thanks to the sponsorship of “Cricket First” the jazzed up version of cup cricket landed at Station Road. Norton’s opponents in the group stages of the competition were near neighbours Stockton who batted first to the drones of their very own “Barmy Army” who turned the Railway End at Norton into something akin to the Sydney Hill.
Stockton’s opening pair Brendon Adams and Kevin Ward, who was promoted up the order to fill the ubiquitous pinch hitter’s role, got the visitors off to good start. However, it was only when skipper Richard Waite joined their South African professional Adams that the tempo increased to match the considerable crowd’s expectations. Following Adams’ dismissal for 73, Chris Hooker joined Waite as they continued to plunder the Norton attack finishing on 180 for two after 20 overs.
Despite the slightly shorter than normal boundaries and the harder pink balls 180 seemed a formidable if not unbeatable score to Norton’s acting chairman Dave Moore who remarked to club stalwart Neil Tait “It’s a good game to win from here”, as the teams prepared for the second innings. But this is 20-20 and anything can happen.
Stockton’s Andy Parr clean bowled Norton’s “pinch hitter” Jonathan Kean in the first over which brought together ex Yorkshire Academy prospect Phil Holdsworth and Norton’s Sri Lankan professional Wijesinghe. Holdsworth pulled Stockton seamer Hooker to the boundary with impunity whilst Wijesinghe began by playing his own brand of wristy pushes and nudges as he accumulated runs at the other end. After Holdsworth was well caught by Jimmy Ward, firstly Brown and then Symington took up the gauntlet as Norton edged ever closer to their goal. Wijesinghe was imperious in attack and treated the crowd to a fine array of expansive cuts and drives whilst partner Symington was more circumspect but calling on all his reserves of experience ensured that the pair put the home side firmly in the box seat. Wijesinghe’s eventual dismissal for 89 gave Stockton a glimpse of victory that was not to be as their old enemies Marc Symington and Ken Gresham steered Norton over the line by taking 11 off the last over to claim the spoils with one ball to spare.
Norton take on Durham Academy at Station Road next Friday with Stockton completing the group stages by entertaining the same opponents at Grangefield on 20th June. The group winners will then compete in a finals day in late July with the eventual North East champions moving on into the National Competition. If this is what the future holds for Friday evenings – BRING IT ON!
Stockton 180-2 (B Adams 73, R P Waite 66)
Norton 184-5 (C Wijesinghe 89, M J Symington 25*, J Thwaites 2-3, A Parr 2-34)
Norton won by 5 wkts
Saturday 31st May
HOME RECORD GOES DOWN TO LE STREET
FORTRESS Grangefield is no more after Stockton lost their unbeaten home record to Chester le Street on Saturday.
In a game where the balance shifted constantly from one team to the other the morning session belonged to Chester le Street who had reached 130 for one at lunch with both openers Birtwistle and Hughes making half centuries. After lunch Stockton turned to the spin of Richard Waite and Brendon Adams, a ploy that for the second consecutive week paid dividends as the Cestrians lost wickets at regular intervals and when the Chester captain Quentin Hughes called a halt to proceedings after sixty overs with the score on 200 for eight, Adams had claimed five for 40 and Waite two for 35.
The beginning of the next session definitely belonged to Chester le Street as Stockton plummeted to 22 for four. Opener Turner fell to a juggling catch at slip by Hopes off the bowling of Luke Evans, Waite was caught at the wicket without scoring after attempting an expansive looking cover drive off Evans and Lee Mason was bowled having been beaten for pace by the same bowler. At the other end pro’ Brendon Adams was bowled for 15 by Bell after attempting to pull a goodish length ball. His dismissal brought together Guy Darwin and Chris Hooker who batted sensibly for the rest of the session to swing the balance back towards Stockton so much so that by tea the home supporters and the NEPL chairman began to believe a Stockton victory was not only possible but very much in the offing.
After tea however, the pendulum swung back towards Chester as firstly Darwin (42) narrowly escaped dismissal as he lofted a ball from leg spinner Hopes over Birtwistle’s head at deep long on and then several balls later fell attempting the same shot only to find the same fielder on the line. Hooker reached 49 prior to being trapped leg before by Evans whilst attempting to clip the ball through midwicket. Dorian Hiles offered some resistance making 17 before being caught behind the wicket off the bowling of Evans who also claimed the wicket of Kevin Ashton (pictured) who was rooted to the crease when he lost his middle and off stumps. Stockton’s last realistic hope disappeared as Kevin Ward chipped an easy catch to Tim Stonnock at cover. However, in one lat twist youngster Joel Thwaites batted with more maturity, application and technique than some of his more experienced team mates to make 27 before he was the last man out adjudged LBW to Hughes, his partner Andy Parr was left unbeaten on 7 as Stockton were dismissed for 170, thirty one runs short of their target.
Chester le Street 200-8 dec (Q J Hughes 59, S J Birtwistle 56, B Adams 5-40,
R P Waite 2-35)
Stockton 170 (C J Hooker 49, G R Darwin 42, L Evans 6-52, A Bell 2-25)
Stockton lost by 30 runs
Stockton 6pts Chester le Street 28pts
Monday 26th May
"A DAM" FINE DISPLAY BY BRENDON
A MUCH improved performance as a whole was founded on an impressive innings by overseas player Brendon Adams. Indeed, one Tynemouth bowler claimed he “…could have bowled at him at all day and still not got him out!”
After having been asked to bat first Stockton lost their compulsory early wicket as Karl Turner shouldered arms to a delivery that clipped his off stump. However, South African Adams set about his task needing his team mates to support him. This they did in regular short shifts and with the score on 248 for eight after 61 overs and Adams having reached 151 not out, the declaration came.
Early wickets by a fearsome Chris Hooker and Andy Parr left the home team at 42 for 3 after 13 overs. A Stockton victory was well with in sight but Tynemouth’s overseas player, Australian Geoff Lindsay and skipper Graeme Hallam firstly rallied the home side and then blasted them to within a whisker of victory. It was only when the irrepressible Adams returned to the attack to dismiss Lindsay and a clever bowling change at the other end saw young Andy Parr claim two wickets that Stockton regained the driving seat. Two more wickets by Stockton off spinner Richard Waite left the home side at 181 for eight when time was called.
Stockton 248-8 dec (B Adams 151*, K L Ward 25, M Iqbal 3-68)
Tynemouth 181-8 (G Lindsay 75, G Hallam 38)
Match Drawn
Stockton 16pts Tynemouth 10pts
Saturday 24th May
FIRSTS FAIL ACADEMY EXAMINATION
HAVING bowled out a very talented batting side for 205 Stockton must have believed that a third league victory was well within their grasp but the travel sickness bug that seems to inflict itself on Stockton struck again.
Durham Academy decided to bat on what appeared to be a pitch made for runs. A catch at the wicket by stand in keeper Lee Mason (first choice at a wedding , second choice injured , third choice at the Ricky Hatton fight) was followed by a stand of 80 for the second wicket which was eventually broken by Joel Thwaites uprooting Singh’s off stump. At lunch, the Durham youngsters were 124 for 3. It was then that Stockton skipper Richard Waite turned successfully to spin with he and Brendon Adams (four for 41) picking up regular wickets as they bowled in tandem.
A target of 206 on a good batting track should have been well within Stockton’s reach but the early loss of Karl Turner who was caught at slip having edged a delivery that bounced more than he expected, signalled the start of a procession back to the Racecourse pavilion. Adams looked in good form playing an exquisite square cut for four before failing to get forward and lofting a simple catch to short extra cover. Darwin and Waite both continued the Academy’s catching practice and it was only Joel Thwaites coming in at nine who showed any real application. Stockton finally capitulated to 118 all out.
Durham Academy 205 (A Smith 75, B Adams 4-41, R P Waite 3-43, J Thwaites 2-17)
Stockton 118 (J Thwaites 26, S Borthwick 5-24)
Stockton lost by 87 runs
DCA 23 pts Stockton 5pts
Sunday 18th May
STOCKTON NOT AT THE RACES
ALL thoughts of a trip to Lords for the Cockspur Cup Final are on hold for another year at least as Stockton crashed out of the competition at Thirsk on Sunday. Aided by a trio of former Guisborough players the home side posted a respectable but not unbeatable 214 for five in their 45 overs. Stockton skipper Richard Waite with three for 48 from nine overs and Durham contracted player Karl with two for 27 from nine overs of which two were maidens were the pick of the visitors' bowlers.
In reply, Guy Darwin (above) got off to his usual electrifying start smashing 28 out of first wicket stand 33 with the far more circumspect Turner, before falling LBW to the experienced Towse. Turner (29), Mason (27) and Dean Williams (22) all made good starts but failed to capitalise and it was left to Harry Anderson with an unbeaten 26 and Andrew Parr who finished undefeated on 22 to bring some respectability.
Thirsk 214-5 (L McKendry 64, G Bolton 38, D Towse 27*, R P Waite 3-48,
K Turner 2-27)
Stockton 204-8 (K Turner 29, G R Darwin 28, D Towse 3-15)
Stockton lost by 10 runs
Saturday 17th May
THWAITES SWINGS THE BALANCE
STOCKTON completed their second league victory in four outings this season with a comfortable seven wicket win over Newcastle at Grangefield.
After Stockton skipper Richard Waite invited Newcastle to make first use of the pitch wickets from Andy Parr (two for 21) and Chris Hooker (three for 32) prevented them amassing a big score. But it was eighteen-year-old left arm swing bowler Joel Thwaites who caused the most problems taking three wickets for a miserly 10 runs as the visitors crumbled to 146 all out, Gordon Muchall with 53 and John McCreddie (25) making their only noteworthy contributions.
Needing to avoid the loss of early wickets Stockton once again pinned their hopes on Guy Darwin and Karl Turner. A swift 29 from Guy Darwin set the pace but he was caught at mid off in the fifth over of the innings begging the question how many runs he could make if he could bat all the allotted overs. Karl Turner was out shortly afterwards which left Stockton on 72 for 2. Pro Brendon Adams was the next to fall, albeit unluckily as he was given out leg before to ball that almost shot along the ground when he had reached 29. Skipper Richard Waite and last week’s second team centurion Lee Mason who came in as a late replacement for Kevin Ashton were left to complete the victory with Waite cracking an unbeaten half century and Mason finishing undefeated on 24.
Newcastle 146 all out (G J Muchall 53, J McCreddie 25, C J Hooker 3 for 32 ,
J Thwaites 3 for 10, A Parr 2 for 21)
Stockton 147 for 3 (R P Waite 51*, G R Darwin 29 , B Adams 29, L W Mason 24*)
Stockton won by 7 wickets
Stockton 21pts Newcastle 2pts
Saturday 10th May
NO FUN AT THE SEASIDE FOR THE FIRSTS
DESPITE the glorious weather there was no fun at the seaside for the firsts as they crashed to an eight wicket defeat at South Shields' Wood Terrace ground. The euphoria of the previous weekend's double victory celebration was soon forgotten as they plunged from 69 for one to 121 all out. Only Karl Turner (48) and Brendon Adams (19) showed any application against Shields' Muchall brothers who claimed nine wickets between them. To add insult to injury Paul Muchall raced to an unbeaten 74 as the Sand dancers reached their target in only 28 overs.
Stockton 122 (K Turner 48, M Muchall 5-31, P Muchall 4-41)
South Shields 123-2 (P Muchall 74*)
Stockton lost by 8 wkts
Stockton 2pts South Shields 26pts
Thursday 8th May
Justsport Trophy 1st Round
Benwell Hill v Stockton
Benwell Hill 171-7 (R Frylinck 98)Stockton 118 (M J Pollard 3-18)
Stockton lost to Benwell Hill by 53 runs
Sunday 4th May
Cockspur Cup
Stockton v Richmondshire
KARL TURNS IT ON AGAIN
CONTINUING where he left off on Saturday, Karl Turner struck a well timed 74 which coupled with a typically belligerent unbeaten 37 from Chris Hooker (above) brought the firsts a six wicket victory over Richmondshire in the Cockspur Cup.
More Photos
Richmondshire 169 (J Clarkson 57, A Parr 3-23, K L Ward 3-30)
Stockton 172-4 (K Turner 74, C J Hooker 37*)
Stockton won by 6 wickets
Saturday 3rd May
HAVE THE FIRSTS 'TURNED' THE CORNER?
DURHAM contracted player Karl Turner (above) stole the show on his home debut as Stockton grabbed a well deserved win over an experienced Blaydon side.
Having won the toss, home skipper Richard Waite invited the visitors to make first use of a damp wicket. This proved the right decision as youngsters Andrew Parr and Joel Thwaites both bowled magnificently returning figures of 6-5-4-0 and 7-5-3-0 respectively. Nevertheless it was Turner who demolished the Blaydon line up ending with five for 34 as the visitors were bowled out for a competitive 141.
Whilst it was never going to be an easy target to reach Stockton could have done without the needless throwing away of wickets which was some much in evidence at Benwell Hill and which appeared to be continuing when opener Guy Darwin was caught with the score on 3. However, the class of Karl Turner and pro Brendon Adams shone through as the pair added 88 for the 2nd wicket. Both were dismissed with the score on 91 and it was left to skipper Richard Waite to steer his side home with four wickets to spare.
PHOTOS from the game
Blaydon 141 (A Worthy 45, K Turner 5-34, G Darwin 2-19)
Stockton 142-6 (K Turner 46, B Adams 33, R P Waite 26*, J Malkin 3-44,
G D Bridge 2-53)
Stockton won by 4 wickets
Stockton 21pts Blaydon 4pts
Saturday 26th April
HILL INSURMOUNTABLE FOR THE FIRSTS
HAVING lost the toss Stockton were asked to make use of a soft green wicket. As the 2008 season began so did the rain. The loss of early wickets, Guy Darwin and Richard Waite left Stockton 23 for two, giving newcomers Karl Turner and Brendon Adams the opportunity to dig in. Unfortunately Turner was caught on the drive for 18 when the score had reached 41 soon to be followed by Harry Anderson and Chris Hooker leaving the visitors reeling at 54 for five. Although the rain abated the fall of wickets didn’t and Adams was brilliantly caught at square leg for a paltry 7. Temporary relief arrived as Kevin Ward (pictured) struck an entertaining 28 runs including 19 off one over from Benwell spinner Tom Cant. Stockton eventually succumbed for 104 which was never enough and Benwell cruised home by seven wickets.
Stockton 104 (K L Ward 28, R Frylinck 4-18, M J Pollard 4-31)
Benwell Hill 105-3 ( D Myers 55*, J Thwaites 1-13, K L Ward 1-16, R P Waite 1-28)
Stockton lost by 7 wickets
Stockton 1pt Benwell Hill 20pts
First XI - 2008
Manager: Mike Thomas
Captain; Richard Waite
Vice Captain: Chris Hooker
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