MONDAY 31ST AUGUST

FREDDIE'S THE STAR

ALL ROUNDER Karl "Freddie" Turner producing a devasting performance to guarentee Stockton remain in the North East Premier League next season whilst at the same time plunging near neighbours and old rivals Norton deep into the relegation mire. Turner and his new found opening partner Kevin Ward plundered the Norton attack scoring 37 off the first three overs, the majority of which came from the bowling of young Paddy Mitchell who Ward hit for 26 in one over. Whilst the scoring rate slowed against some steady bolwing from Kean (5-103) Turner still reached his hundred from 104 balls and Stockton ammassed 280 for eight in 54 overs before skipper Chris Hooker called a halt.

Norton on the other hand found the going far more difficult as Freddie turned his hand to bowling and claimed six for 34 in 14 overs to send Norton back for only 130. Gajanayake was the other successful bowler taking three for 37.

Stockton 280-8 (K Turner 129, J Rickard 37, J J Kean 5-103)
Norton 130 (K Turner 6-34, M D Gajanayake 3-37)
Stockton won by 150 runs
Stockton 30pts Norton 5pts

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SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST

WARD TON SINKS MARINERS

FOLLOWING on from his 85 against Gateshead Fell the previous week Kevin Ward blasted 136 in 157 balls at Tynemouth's Preston Avenue ground. A century opening stand with Karl Turner (56) set up another Stockton run fest with the skipper eventually declaring on 259 for three after 55 overs. Despite 49 from opener Iain Purdy, Tynemouth never looked comfortable and slumped from 69 for no wicket to 178 all out with Malintha Gajanayake continuing his good from with ball by taking five for 34 in 17 overs whilst fellow spinner Johnathan Rickard claimed 3-41 at the opposite end. The win all but ensures Stockton's premier league status.

Stockton 259-3 (K L Ward 136, K Turner 56, J Rickard 33)
Tynemouth 178 (I Purdy 49, M D Gajanayake 5-34, J Rickard 3-41)
Stockton won by 81 runs
Stockton 30pts Tynemouth 3pts

SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST

RECORD PARTNERSHIP FELLS GATESHEAD

A CLUB record first wicket stand of 226 between Kevin Ward (above) and Karl Turner helped secure Stockton a vital win against Gateshead Fell at Grangefield. The victory by 57 runs lifted Stockton out of the relegation zone and gives them every chance of survival. In addition to Ward (85) and Turner (134), overseas player Gajanayake made 32 as Stockton made Gateshead toil in the field whilst the amassed 274 for six in only 55 overs.

Sri Lankan Geeth Alwis made 117 in the visitors reply as Karl Turner continued his fine all round form by despatching four Gateshead batsman for 49 runs in 13.5 overs whilst Gajanayake and Andrew Parr contributed two wickets a piece as "The Fell" tumbled from 178 for four to 217 all out.

Stockton 274-6 (K Turner 134, K L Ward 85, M D Gajanayake 32, M Dicks 4-90)
Gateshead Fell 217 (G Alwis 117, R Smith 45, K Turner 4-49)
Stockton won by 57 runs
Stockton 30pts Gateshead Fell 7pts

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FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST

STOCKTON CRASH TO ESH IN OSWALD SEMI

DESPITE an opening stand of 84 between Kevin Ward and Maintha Gajanayake (above) who hit a quick fire 62 from 47 balls some sucidal running between the wickets meant that Stockton only reached 121 for eight from their 20 overs in the Matthew Oswald Cup Semi Final against Esh Winning at Grangefield. The visitors never looked in any difficulty and coasted home with seven wickets in hand.

Stockton 121-8 (M D Gajanayake 62, Y Murtaza 3-17)
Esh Winning 124-3 (Y Murtaza 33, M D Gajanayake 2-15)
Esh Winning won by seven wickets

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SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST

KARL TURNS IT ON

A SEVEN wicket haul from Durham contracted play Karl Turner ensured a six wicket victory over South Shields at Wood Terrace. Despite a half century opening stand between Dan Shurben (30) and Paul Muchall (20) Shields slumped to 152 all out with Turner taking seven for 43 and Malintha Gajanayake two for 36. Andrew Parr followed up his five wickets against South North by bowling nine overs for only 13 runs. Stockton had little difficulty in passing their opponents score with Jonathan Rickard making 77.

South Shields 152 (D G Shurben 30, C Dorothy 32, K Turner 7-43)
Stockton 153-4 (J Rickard 77, K L Ward 33)
Stockton won by 6 wickets
Stockton 22pts South Shields 4pts

SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST

SORRY STOCKTON OVERWHELMED

DEPLETED by bans and unavailability a severely understrength Stockton team were completely overwhelmed by title contenders Chester le Street at Grangefield. The visitors scored a quickly to reach 249 for six before declaring after 55 overs. Coxon with 112 and Smith (47) were the main protaganists sharing a second wicket stand of 104. In response Stockton reached 43 without loss before Rickard was bowled by Tye for 21. Fellow opener John Watson reached 36 but other than fifteen year old David Seymour with an unbeaten 22 none of the other Stockton batsman offered any resistance as former Stockton skipper Richard Waite claimed seven for 13 in twelve overs, eight of which were maidens.

Chester le Street 249-6 (J Coxon 112, A Smith 47)
Stockton 123 (J Watson 36, R P Waite 7-13)
Chester le Street beat Stockton by 126 runs
Chester le Street 30pts Stockton 4 pts

SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST

PARR FIVE

A MAGNIFICENT return of five for 27 from 10 overs by Andy Parr (below left) helped secure a well earned draw against South North in a rain affected game at Grangefield. Play didn't start until 3.30pm leaving the visitors 33 overs to bat. After Chris Hooker removed John Graham in the first over South North never threatened to post a big score.Four of Parr's five wickets were bowled and the fifth, Stephen Humble was caught by John Rickard.

Stockton lost Watson early on and despite a battling 28 from Rickard were never really in the hunt. Chris Hooker's dismissal sensibly signalled the end of any attempt to win leaving Shiv Talsania to resolutely bat out time.

South North 117 (A Heather 47, A J Parr 5-27, C J Hooker 2-26)
Stockton 73-5 (J Rickard 28, S Humble 2-17)
Match Drawn
Stockton 8pts South North 9pts

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FRIDAY 31ST JULY

SUPER GAJANAYAKE SINKS GUISBOROUGH

AN UNBELIEVABLE 102 out of 122 from Malintha Gajanayake ensured Stockton defeated Guisborough at Fountains Garth to reach the semi-final of the Matthew Oswald Trophy. Gajanayake's knock wasn't even overshadowed by Leroy Phillips' Stockton debut. Phillips who "claimed" to appeared for the West Indies Under 20s as well as Buckinghamshire trapped the Guisborough pro LBW with his first ball before preceeding to ball another twelve balls in his one and only over for Stockton. The comedy of errors continued when Phillips strode to the wicket wearing his thigh pad on the wrong leg! Needless to say Leroy has not been seen or heard of since but will no doubt inflict himself on some other unsuspecting club telling them that he once played for Stockton 1st XI - Well at least that bit is true.

SATURDAY 25TH JULY

AT LAST!

AFTER nine defeats and four draws Stockton finally managed to put a mark in the won column of the North East Premier League First Division table. Anecdotal evidence suggested that it was a confident bunch that left Grangefield for Jesmond on Saturday morning and their performance proved that.

Having won the toss Newcastle opted to bat but made slow progress as Andy Parr and Karl Turner bowled a tight line and length. The introduction of Malintha Gajanayake first change continued to restrict their scoring opportunities and although Nick Tomlinson and Will Allen both made 30 it was left to West Indian Rondal Lake and skipper Ross McLaren to boost the score. McLaren finally declared at the fall of the ninth wicket with the score on 198. Gajanayake finished with figures of three for 41 from 20 overs nine of which were maidens.

Turner and Rickard began confidently scoring above the required rate until Turner was caught and bowled by McLaren for 19. Chris Parr, struggling with a rib injury continued to keep Stockton in control and together with Rickard took the score to 71 before Rickard was caught off the bowling of Irvine-Fortescue. Parr, Watson and Hiles soon followed to leave Stockton teetering on the brink at 100 for five. Skipper for the day Kevin Ward and pro Gajanayake took the score to 125 before Ward was bowled by Saxton just after the tea interval. Tom Armstrong never looked comfortable and fell to McLaren for a single. Stockton had slumped from 70 for one to 135 for seven but Gajanayake looked solid and the arrival of Chris Oliver at the wicket changed the complexion of the game. Gajanayake (above) continued to drive and cut with impunity whilst his partner played a more circumspect role at the other end. Once Oliver was established and Gajanyake passed fifty the outcome was beyond doubt and Stockton passed their target with fourteen overs to spare and three wickets in hand.

Newcastle 198-9 dec (W H Allen 33, R D McLaren 33, N Tomlinson 31,
M D Gajanayake 3-41)
Stockton 201-7 (M D Gajanayake 72*, J Rickard 27, C M Oliver 26*, C E Parr 25,
J Irvine-Fortescue 3-38, R D McLaren 3-44)
Stockton won by 3 wkts
Stockton 27 pts Newcastle 6pts

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FRIDAY 24TH JULY

SORRY STOCKTON CRASH IN SHIELD FINAL

A POOR batting display combined with some nonsensical bowling changes condemned Stockton to an ignominious defeat by Richmondshire in the final of the Captain Ramsden Shield. Batting first on a slow Sedgefield pitch Stockton could only muster 85 in their 20 overs, 42 of which came from the bat of Jon Rickard (above). Despite losing their pro in the first over of the game Richmondshire always appeared in control and had little difficulty in passing Stockton's score.

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MONDAY 20TH JULY

FIRSTS REACH RAMSDEN FINAL

STOCKTON booked their place in this Friday's Capt Ramsden Shield Final at Sedgefield with a fairly straightforward win over Hylton CW in the semi final at Grangefield. Skipper Chris Hooker and his vice captain Kevin Ward combined to put Stockton in the frame but four consecutive fours from Malintha Gajanayake (above) put the result beyond doubt.

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SUNDAY 19TH JULY

STOCKTON SLIP UP IN SALVER SEMI

A SERIES of dropped catches led to a Stockton losing out on in a spot in this season's Banks Salver Final.

Put in to bat on a slow damp wicket Stockton managed to accumulate 140 before being all out in the 41st over. In reply, the visitors, Blaydon lost Allan Worthy for 2 in the first over and continued to struggle before Graeme Bridge (24) and Peter Howells (29) put on 64 for the fifth wicket to bring them within sight of victory.

Stockton 140 (C J Hooker 31, C E Knox 3-34)
Blaydon 141-6 (K Turner 3-24)
Blaydon won by 4 wickets

SATURDAY 18TH JULY

FOLLOWING Friday's torrential rain all matches were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

SATURDAY 11TH JULY

CRAIG KNOX OUT FIRSTS

A FINE all round performance from Blaydon's Craig Knox condemned the first team to yet another defeat at Denefield. Knox reached a century off 128 balls hitting 4 sixes and 9 fours in the process before claiming three for 21 to help dismiss Stockton for 174.

Although five Stockton batsman reached 2, none when on to make a big score in a game that was marred by a controversial run out decision involving Karl Turner.

Blaydon 236-8 dec (C E Knox 101, A Worthy 72, M D Gajanayake 3-63)
Stockton 174 (C E Knox 3-21, G D Bridge 3-41)
Blaydon won by 62 runs

SATURDAY 4TH JULY

DROPPED CATCHES DEBACLE DAMPENS SPIRITS

SEVEN dropped catches cost Stockton their first win of the season on Saturday. At 136 for seven, Benwell Hill looked down and out but a series of missed chances and two late stands saw the visitors home to a narrow two wicket win in a pulsating encounter at Grangefield.

Stockton, having won the toss and batted, found themselves 1 for one with Turner back in the pavilion at the end of the first over. Nevertheless a 135 run second wicket stand between Jonathan Rickard and Chris Parr (above) which straddled the lunch interval saw the home side regain control and eventually declare on 243 for five. In spite of useful runs from Mark Dale (41) and Zohaib Khan (48), "The Hill" slumped before firstly Graeme Race and Glenn Robertson put on 47 runs for the eight wicket and then Race and Cant added a club record 64 undefeated runs for the ninth wicket to clinch victory. Hill's undoubted hero was Race who finished the game unbeaten on 70 which he scored from only 69 balls and which included two consecutive sixes and six fours.

The loss leaves Stockton 25 points adrift at the halfway stage facing an a trip away to Blaydon before entertaining Chester le Street, Sunderland and South Northumberland at Grangefield.

Stockton 243-5 dec (J Rickard 83, C E Parr 59)
Benwell Hill 247-8 (G Race 70*, Z Khan 48, M Dale 41)
Stockton lost by 2 wkts
Benwell Hill 26pts Stockton 8pts

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SATURDAY 27TH JUNE

BOUNCED OUT

DESPITE having had Durham Academy reeling at 112 for eight Stockton slipped to their seventh defeat of the season at Maiden Castle on Saturday.

Nine out of the ten Stockton wickets to fall were caught and of those Karl Turner, Malintha Gajanayake, Chris Parr, Kevin Ward, Jimmy Ward and Wilf Reeve were all out failing to negotiate short pitched balls from the Academy’s paceman Mark Wood who claimed the six wickets for only 25 runs. Reeve, alone might be exonerated as he failed to avoid a vicious bouncer. Although Gajanayake may well have been the victim of a retaliatory umpiring decision following the controversy surrounding Michael Turns’ dismissal in the Academy innings, his shot selection was far from exemplary. As for the rest they were almost to man caught in the ring trying to pull or hook balls that could easily have been avoided especially baring in mind the required run rate.

Turner and Gajanayake claimed three wickets apiece as the home side collapsed before Mark Davies (46) and Ross Kirtley (29 not out) took them to a respectable 193 for nine declared in 60 overs. 

The defeat leaves Stockton marooned at the bottom of the table 26 points adrift of their nearest rivals Newcastle.

Durham Academy 193-9 dec (M Davies 46, R Singh 34, B Raine 31,  M D Gajanayake 3-63, K Turner 3-51, W Reeve 2-13)
Stockton 158 (J Rickard 41, C E Parr 33, M Wood 6-25)
Durham Academy won by 35 runs
Stockton 6pts Durham Academy 27 pts

Bottom Five

	Pld	Won	Drawn	Lost	Pts
Norton	10	2	3	5	97
Durham Academy	10	2	4	4	93
Tynemouth	10	2	3	5	90
Newcastle	10	1	4	5	85
Stockton	10	0	3	7	59

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MONDAY 22ND JUNE

FIRSTS WIDE OF THE MARK

Justsport Trophy

A FOURTH wicket stand of 99 by Chris Hooker (55) and Chris Parr (35 not out) brought some respectability to Stockton’s score after being 1 for two at the end of the first over. It wasn’t however enough to get them through to the next round of the Justsport Trophy as they lost by five wickets to Durham Senior League leaders, Boldon at Grangefield.

Boldon’s former South Shields’ paceman Johnny Wightman ripped out Jonathan Rickard first ball of the game, followed by Kevin Ward three balls later before Hooker and Parr (pictured above) restored respectability. Some hard hitting by skipper Chris Ellison aided by SIXTEEN wides from a wayward Stockton attack enabled the visitors to progress with five wickets and four balls to spare. 

Stockton 140-4 (C J Hooker 55, C E Parr 35*, M D Gajanayake 20, J Wightman 2-29)
Boldon 141-5 (C Ellison 54, J Coyne 21, C Hooker 2-24)
Boldon won by 5 wickets

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SATURDAY 20TH JUNE

RAIN SPOILS FAMILY PARTY

WITH only 22 overs play possible the eagerly awaited local derby against Norton was almost a non-event. Having lost the toss and been asked to bat first in the damp conditions, Stockton slipped to 10 for two before Jonathan Rickard (22) and Malintha Gajanyake (66*) staged a recovery adding 63 for the third wicket. The frequent rain showers that punctuated the day’s proceeding made it difficult for either side to establish any rhythm and Chris Hooker (5) and Kevin Ward (1) soon followed Rickard’s dismissal. When the final downpour arrived at around 4.00pm Stockton were precariously placed at 114 for five.

An interesting addendum to the day was the family flavour that pervaded through both teams. The Norton team were led by veteran all rounder David Kennedy whose son Joe is was in the line up as were brothers, Matty and Nick Thomas whilst the Stockton team included the Parr brothers, Chris and Andrew along with the three Ward siblings Michael, Kevin and James together with their cousin Lee Mason (see picture above).

Stockton 114-5 (M D Gajanayake 66*, H Linton 2-9)
Match Abandoned
Stockton 5pts Norton 7pts

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FRIDAY 19TH JUNE

Stockton fail Academy examination

NEEDING a win to have any chance of qualifying for the Twenty20 finals day and chasing an Academy score of 156, Stockton looked home and dry at 83 for no wicket after 6 overs. However they managed once again to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Kevin Ward and Karl Turner began well, scoring freely at a rate in excess of 12 runs per over, until Ward skied a catch to Sampson-Barnes in the deep. Whether the Academy fielder simply misjudged it or lost it in the sun is unclear, what is clear is that Sampson-Barnes fell to the ground unconscious having been hit in the face. The accident and the ensuing twenty minutes delay during which Sampson-Barnes received treatment and eventually left the ground in an ambulance caused both Ward and Turner to lose momentum. Ward’s dismissal combined with the Academy coach John Window's arrival on the field to replace Sampson-Barnes changed the course of the game. Windows marshalled his forces, altering his young charges from a team in disarray into one with belief in themselves as Stockton slipped from 83 for no wicket to 148 for eight to lose the game by eight runs. Only Jimmy Ward (above) with 20 showed any real aptitude as the scoring rate plummeted from nearly 14 runs an over down to less than five, as one after another Stockton batsman committed “Hara-kiri”. Perhaps the most outrageous example of this collective suicide was Chris Parr who was comprehensively bowled by Ryan Pringle whilst trying to execute a reverse sweep off middle stump.

Barring a miracle Stockton’s Twenty20 jamboree concludes at Ropery Lane, Chester le Street on Friday evening. Almost certainly a public relations and financial success for the clu, it may well have been a triumph on the field too had it not been for the naivety of the players at Gateshead Fell last week and at Grangefield tonight.

Durham Academy 156-9 (B Raine 36, L Coates 36, R Pringle 27, C Hooker 2-50, K Turner 2-29, M D Gajanayake 2-20, J Rickard 2-25)
Stockton 148-8 (K Turner 40, K L Ward 48, J Ward 18, J Watson 12*, R Kirtley 3-20, R Pringle 3-20, B Raine 2-31)chasing an Academy score of 156,

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SATURDAY 13TH JUNE

MAL IN THE GROOVE

AN ELEGANT unbeaten 121 by Stockton's Sri Lankan professional, Malintha Gajanayake was the undoubted highlight of Saturday's winning draw against Tynemouth. The Sri Lankan who has struggled to find form took command of a Tynemouth attack lacking in penetration and by lunchtime had undoubtedly grown sufficiently in confidence to enable some of those fortunate to witness the subsequent afternoon session to comment on the commonality between Gajananayake "in nick" and Sanjay Manjrekar. An accolade indeed and one which was richly deserved as Gajanayake completed his century with a flurry of sublime sweeps and blistering drives. Additonal runs from Jonathan Rickard (47) and Kevin Ward enabled Stockton declare on 237 for six after 60 overs. Tynemouth's reply hinged on Scott Borthwick and Iain Purdy both whom threatened the home side but fine performances by Gajanyake who took four for 17 and Rickard (four for 53) put the home side not only firmly in the driving seat but also able to claim the winning draw with the visitors finishing on 167 for eight.

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FRIDAY 12TH JUNE

KARL TURNS IT ON AGAIN

A THIRD successive hundred for Karl Turner basically clubbed Norton into submission in the Twenty20 derby match at Grangefield. Turner who reached his century with a four from the last ball of innings was again in fine touch treating the large crowd to fine array of well struck drives and pulls as well some deft reverse sweeps and glances. Stockton's captain and vice captain, Chris Hooker (40) and Kevin Ward (41) gave valuable support as the home side reached 202 for three in their 20 overs. Without Kenny Gresham who was injured fielding and faced with scoring at 10 runs an over Norton began brightly. Opener Joe Kennedy top scored with 31 but the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and were finally all out for 105. Gajanayake being the pick of the home bowlers with four for nine from 3.1 overs.

Stockton 202-2 (K Turner 100*, K L Ward 41, C J Hooker 40, A Fawcett 2-38)
Norton 105 (J Kennedy 31, M D Gajanayake 4-9, J Rickard 2-24)
Stockton won by 97 runs

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THURSDAY 11TH JUNE

FIRSTS PIPPED AT THE POST

AFTER an appalling start in a match reduced to 12 overs a side Stockton lost by one run in the NEPL Twenty20 competition at Gateshead Fell.

Gateshead Fell posted a respectable 95 for nine in their twelve overs. Stockton began with an early order collapse of cataclysmic proportions as Chris Hooker, Chris Parr, Jimmy Ward and Malintha Gajanayake all returned to the pavillion before the end of the second over reducing the score to 3 for four. A well timed half century from Lee Mason not only steadied the ship but put Stockton back in the hunt. Left needing six from the last ball they could only manage four to finish up losing by one run.

Gateshead Fell 95-6 (J Foster 25, M Smith 21, M D Gajanayake 3-13)
Stockton 94-9 (L W Mason 52, M Smith 2-15, P Towner 2-15)
Gateshead Fell won by 1 run

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TUESDAY 9TH JUNE

FIRSTS PROGRESS IN RAMSDEN

THE 1st XI defeated Boldon by 3 wickets in the 1st Round of Captain Ramsden Shield. Off spinning all rounder Jonathan Rickard was the pick of the bowlers with three for 13 from his four overs.

Boldon 131-7 (C Ellison 26, G Houmark 24, J Coyne 20, J Rickard 3-13)
Stockton 132-7 (J Rickard 26, M Gajanayake 22, L W Mason 20*,
P Shakespeare 2-8, S Martin 2-33)
Stockton won by 3 wickets

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ATURDAY 6TH JUNE

FIRSTS FELLED

DESPITE a second consecutive unbeaten 100 for Karl Turner (above) the 1st XI suffered their sixth defeat in seven games in Saturday's must win encounter against Gateshead Fell at Eastwood Gardens.

In a rain delayed start Stockton won the toss and elected to bat and were soon struggling at 42 for three with Jonathan Rickard (4), John Watson (2) and Malintha Gajanayake (12) all back in the pavillion. A fourth wicket stand of 112 between Karl Turner and Chris Parr (40) put them back in the game and enabled skipper Chris Hooker to declare at 211 for five with Turner unbeaten on 115.

Inevitably, Fell's dangerman was Will Gidman who was put down on 13 and went on to make a match winning 117 not out, supported firstly by Jonny Foster (35) and latterly by Mark Smith who also finished unbeaten on 23. The home side's six wicket victory moves them up the table but leaves Stockton stranded in bottom place 21 points adrift of their nearest rivals Tynemouth who visit Grangefield this Saturday in what has turned into another absolutely must win game for Stockton.

Stockton 211-5 (K Turner 115*, C E Parr 40, W Gidman 3-64, G Alwis 2-43)
Gateshead Fell 215-4 (W Gidman 117*, J Foster 35, T D Armstrong 2-29)
Stockton lost to Gateshead Fell by six wickets
Gateshead Fell 27pts Stockton 6pts

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SUNDAY 31ST MAY

SPECIAL Ks

ALTHOUGH the bottle green of Stockton’s coloured kit might be a few shades darker than the Lincoln green worn by that merry band of renegades who plundered the Sheriff of Nottingham from the relative safety of Sherwood Forest, Sunday’s Banks Salver Quarter Final result at Ropery Lane was certainly a case of robbing the rich.

It is not easy to find the correct superlatives to describe Karl Turner’s knock which brought about the nine wicket victory nor is it possible to overstate the parts played by his opening partner Jonathan Rickard or indeed vice captain Kevin Ward.

There is no question that Turner took full advantage of a placid pitch and the absence of Luke Evans, Chester’s Durham contracted player to flay a distinctly lack lustre attack to all parts of Ropery Lane. Nonetheless he never looked in any difficulty and at around 80 for no wicket the body language of some of Quentin Hughes’ highly paid charges suggested that they knew he was in no difficulty. Turner’s unbeaten 124, scored at a run a ball was ably supported by Jonathan Rickard’s 69 and together the pair made huge strides not only to laying the ghost of  last weekend’s humiliating league defeat but also to putting Stockton’s off kilter season back on a more even keel.

Overhauling a score of 222 for the loss of only one wicket with eight overs to spare would suggest a titanic performance by the batsman and whilst that is true, we should not forget that Kevin Ward dismissed five Chester le Street batsmen for only 47 runs on a benign batting pitch.

The comment of “Enjoy it in the Senior League!” might come back to haunt the Cestrian who said it if by September their substantial investment fails to yield either the National Knockout  or the League Championship flag they so desperately seek.
Stockton’s performance might not rank alongside Norway’s 2-1 defeat of Ron Greenwood’s England in Bjorn Lillelien’s eyes but….

‘Quentin Hughes! Russell Inglis! Jackie Keeler! Wasim Raja! George Bull! Norman Allison! Peter Bates! Keith Robson - can you hear me, Keith Robson! Your boys took one hell of a beating! Your boys took one hell of a beating!'

Chester le Street 222 (A Mustard 83, K L Ward 5-47, J Rickard 2-22)
Stockton 223-1 (K Turner 124*, J Rickard 69)
Stockton won by 9 wickets

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SATURDAY 30TH MAY

ABJECT BATTING LEADS TO ANOTHER DEFEAT

A MIDDLE order collapse of catastrophic proportions led to Stockton's third successive league defeat at home to South Shields on Saturday.

Despite having South Shields reeling at 111 for six at lunch and completing the task after the break by dismissing them for 162, Stockton were unable to capitalise on their position. A positive start by Karl Turner and Jonathan Rickard enabled the home team to reach 59 without loss in the first hour. However, the next hour brought about a monumental swing in fortunes as thanks to some abject batting Stockton lost eight wickets for only 56 runs. A brave attempt at a rearguard action firstly by Andy Parr and Wilf Reeve and then by Reeve and Tom Coulthard (pictured above) was also doomed to failure with the Shields bowlers now firmly in the driving seat. Stockton were eventually all out for 140, only 23 runs but a million miles short of their target.

South Shields 162 (O Steadman 36, C J Hooker 3-32, K Turner 3-36,
M D Gajanayake 3-56)
Stockton 140 (K Turner 43, N Quinn 3-20, K McShane 3-33)
South Shields won by 22 runs
Stockton 6pts South Shields 22pts

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FRIDAY 29TH MAY

BUMPER TWENTY20 CROWD SOAK UP THE SUNSHINE

AN EXCELLENT crowd enjoyed an entertaining opener to the Twenty20 season as Stockton took on Sunderland in the evening sunshine at Grangefield.

Some indifferent Stockton fielding allowed Sunderland to reach 178 for six in their 20 overs. Ex Academy batsman Stuart Walker top scoring with 47 and Ashley Thorpe finishing unbeaten on 39. Karl Turner claimed four for 27 for the home side.

A second wicket stand of 38 between Chris Hooker and Kevin Ward got Stockton back on track after losing Karl Turner with the score on 17. When Gajanayake, who briefly threatened to continue the onslaught was caught by Walker at deep mid off, the writing was on the wall. A valiant 47 by Hooker wasn't enough and Stockton finished 31 runs short having been over half way towards their target at the turn.

Sunderland 178-6 (S Walker 47, A Thorpe 39*, K Turner 4-27)
Stockton 147-8 (C J Hooker 47, R Shahazad 2-29, I Stephenson 2-27, J Singh 2-24)
Sunderland won by 31 runs

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THURSDAY 28TH MAY

JIMMY STARTS THE BALL ROLLING

A BOWLING return of four for 16 from Jimmy Ward earned the 1st XI their first competitive win of the season at Sacriston in the Justsport Trophy.

Stockton 130 (J Rickard 33,C J Hooker 22, C Robertson 3-8, M M Betts 2-17)
Sacriston 89 (B Hall 23, M M Betts 22, J Ward 4-16, K L Ward 2-26)
Stockton won by 41 runs

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SATURDAY 23RD MAY

COMPLETE CAPITULATION AT CHESTER

GIVEN our early season form even the most fervent Stockton supporter would have dared to believe a victory was possible in Saturday's encounter with Chester le Street however few anticipated that we would lose by such a convincing margin.

Having won the toss and decided to bat the home side bristling with experience and reputedly costing nearly as much as Chelsea's 1st team squad posted 242 before declaring with nine wickets down after 58 overs. The highlight, from a Stockton viewpoint, was Wilf Reeve's two for 7 which included the in form ex Stockton skipper Richard Waite for 18.

The response was dismal only Karl Turner showed any real aptitude or defiance against a Chester attack which was led by Waite. From the sidelines it seemed as though the sole objective from some of the Stockton batsman was to despatch Waite into the next county. The remainder appeared mesmerised and when Kevin Ward holded out to Simon Birtwistle off Quentin Hughes the misery was over and the debacle complete with Stockton back in the pavillion for 131 and 20 overs of the match still remaining.

South Shields are this weekend's visitors to Grangefield with Stockton still seeking their first victory of the seaon and more poignantly their first double figure points haul.

Chester le Street 242-9 (A Smith 75, Q J Hughes 37, A Tye 47, C J Hooker 3-80,
M D Gajanayake 3-63, W Reeve 2-7)
Stockton 131 (K Turner 51, R P Waite 7-22)
Stockton lost to Chester le Street by 111 runs

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SATURDAY 16TH MAY

BROOK THRIVES ON STOCKTON'S SLEEPING SICKNESS

A FINE opening spell from Andy Parr which left South North reeling at 36 for three was insufficient to prevent the first XI from slipping to their third league defeat of the season at Roseworth Terrace on Saturday.

Having won the toss and decided to bat, South North lost skipper John Graham, Adam Cragg and dangerman Chris Hewison to an inspired Parr. However, a fourth wicket stand of 189 between Adam Heather (81) and Brendon Ford who finished unbeaten on 103 enabled them to declare at 245 for four after just 55 overs.

Missing Karl Turner who was on fielding duty at the Riverside and Chris Oliver who bizarrely missed the meet time due to a bout of narcolepsy Stockton were unlikely to threaten the home side's total. The loss of Shiv Talsania without scoring and Jonathan Rickard for nine compounded their plight and although overseas pro' Malintha Gajanayake (above) managed a half century no one in the middle order managed to stay with him long enough to stave off an inevitable defeat. Although it could be argued that Stockton at least deserved a draw, the innings finally closed with the score on 166 when Wilf Reeve was bowled by Richard Brook for 2 giving the South North spinner an excellent return of five for 24 from his nine overs.

With a trip to Ropery Lane next up, Stockton need to build confidence before the visits of Tynemouth and Norton in June.

South North 245-4 (B Ford 103*, A T Heather 81, A J Parr 3-47)
Stockton 166 (M D Gajanayake 50, R Brook 5-24, S Humble 3-55)
Stockton lost to South North by 79 runs
Stockton 4pts South North 30pts

| FULL SCORECARD |

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SATURDAY 9TH MAY

STOCKTON SKIPPER SECURES STALEMATE

A BATTLING unbeaten fifty from Chris Hooker ensured Stockton held out for a draw against Newcastle at Grangefield on Saturday.

Having won the toss and invited Newcastle to bat, Hooker must have wondered if he'd made the right decision as openers Richie Evans and James Irvine-Fortescue took the visitors to 100 without loss. Newcastle skipper Evans was the first to fall for 47 caught at the wicket by stand in keeper Lee Mason off the bowling of Karl Turner, Irvine-Fortescue (48) soon followed given out leg before to the same bowler. Indeed, Turner also claimed the wickets of Carr and Davidson to reduce Newcastle to 131 for four before a stand of 69 between Anguillan all rounder Rondal Lake (27) and Joe Austin (56) put them back in the driving seat after a long interuption due to rain. The innings closed on 231 for seven with Turner claiming five for 69 from his sixteen overs.

Stockton were soon in difficulty with the score on 31 for three and Turner, Gajanayake and Mason all back in the pavillion. However, a resolute Jonathan Rickard (above) completed his second consecutive leage fifty and together with Jimmy Ward steadied the ship before he fell LBW to the off spin of Austin. Jimmy Ward, the next to fall, was soon followed by his brother Kevin, before Hooker took charge to secure the draw ending unbeaten on 51.

Stockton face the perennial champions South North at Roseworth Terrace on Satuday desperately needing some points to lift them away form the foot of the table.

Newcastle 231-7 (J Austin 56, J Irvine-Fortescue 48, R Evans 47, K Turner 5-69)
Stockton 137-7 (C J Hooker 51*, J Rickard 50, R McLaren 3-30)
Match Drawn
Stockton 7pts Newcastle 13pts

Match Photos | Full Scorecard |

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SUNDAY 3RD MAY

BULLS' STRENGTH SHOWS THROUGH

SUNDAY’S defeat in the 1st round of the ECB National Club Championship was not totally unexpected but at least, South North the current giants of English club cricket were made to fight for their victory.

Stockton were struggling at 63 for five after 22 overs when skipper Chris Hooker was joined by keeper Harry Anderson together the pair added 55 for the sixth wicket before Anderson was adjudged LBW to Stephen Humble. Hooker then combined with Jimmy Ward to add a further 51 before he too was out caught by Hewison off the bowling of Ford. His 68 took 71 balls and included two fours and three sixes. Stockton closed on a competitive 175 for six with Ward unbeaten on 20.

When South North captain, John Graham was bowled by Hooker in third over, the impossible, momentarily appeared to be within reach. Regrettably, the arrival of Chris Hewison at the crease soon put paid to any real hope as he and Adam Heather gathered rather than amassed runs. There was another brief glimpse of salvation when Ford and Miller quickly followed Heather’s dismissal to leave the Bulls 112 for four having been 102 for one. The mini collapse was soon addressed by Humble who belligerently struck Kevin Ward for consecutive boundaries to put South North within reach of their goal. When Hewison (above) pulled Karl Turner through mid wicket for four the end was close but in one last twist Humble lofted a catch to Hooker off Jimmy Ward before Seymour secured victory for the visitors. Hewison ended undefeated three short of a deserved century. His runs came at a little over a run a ball and included eleven boundaries. Off spinner, Jonathon Rickard was the pick of the Stockton bowlers claiming two for 39 in his nine overs.

Stockton 175-6 (C J Hooker 68, H E Anderson 23, J Ward 20*, J A Graham 2-16)
South North 178-5 (C J Hewison 97*, A T Heather 28, S Humble 24, J Rickard 2-39)
South North won by five wickets

MATCH PHOTOS | FULL SCORECARD |

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SATURDAY 2ND MAY

BATTING COLLAPSE LEADS TO WEARSIDE DEFEAT

CHEERED by the arrival of overseas professional Malintha Gajanayake (above) Stockton made the trip to Sunderland.

However, despite an opening stand of 97 between Jonathan Rickard and Karl Turner, Stockton could only manage 193 all out on a good batting track at Ashbrooke. Whilst, it may have appeared a competitive enough when Sunderland slipped to 10 for two and then 45 for three, realistically it was never enough runs and Ashley Thorpe and Rameez Shahzad added 97 for the fourth wicket to put Sunderland in command. Thorpe was the first of the pair to fall caught by Chris Parr off the bowling of Karl Turner. Shahzad followed up his three wickets in the Stockton innings by continuing to pick off their bowlers and together with Chris Youldon saw Sunderland to within sight of victory before he too fell bowled by Kevin Ward, leaving Chris Rushworth to hoist Gajanayake into the adjoining flats and finish the game with a six.

Stockton 193 (J Rickard 61, K Turner 41,J Watson 28, R Shahzad 3-33)
Sunderland 196-5 ( R Shahzad 69, A Thorpe 63, K Turner 2-47)
Sunderland won by 5 wickets
Stockton 6pts Sunderland 28pts

MATCH PHOTOS | FULL SCORECARD |

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SATURDAY 25TH APRIL

STOCKTON BEGIN ON THE BACK FOOT

THANKS to the procrastination of British High Commission in Colombo coupled with the ludriciously lengthy protocol and machinations of the new managed migration system Stockton began their first league game on the back foot. Consquently, when at just after 7.00pm on Saturday 25th April, Andrew Parr shouldered arms to a delivery from Gary Stewart which bowled him they were condemned to a 143 run defeat in their first competitive match of the 2009 season.

Ostensibly such a heavy defeat would suggest as the Northern Echo phrased it “…a mauling”, however there were several positives in Saturday’s defeat. Firstly, the batsman battled, almost to a man they dug in and attempted to salvage at least a losing draw from the game. An admirable trait which has often been lacking in previous seasons. The bowlers, although lacking penetration consistently bowled the right line and length on a good pitch, with newcomer, Jonathan Rickard being the pick with his off spinners. The fielding, despite a dropped catch and few misfields was generally good and whilst the whole performance must appear poor on paper, it wasn’t.

Having said that the arrival of Malintha Gajanayake on Thursday must act as fillip to the team otherwise it will be all too easy to slip into the perennial backs to the wall battle to avoid relegation. Blaydon, on the other hand, looked very much a top three outfit and although it is unlikely they will challenge South North or Chelsea-le-Street for the title they may well finish in third spot a long way clear of the team in fourth, a position which it is just possible Stockton could fill by the end of the season. That is if they perform to their ability of course!

Blaydon 257-5 dec (S Gale 55, G D Bridge 57*, G Stewart 46, M T Drake 33,
P R Howells 30, K Turner 2-37)
Stockton 114 (Gary Stewart 3-15, J Malkin 3-31, G D Bridge 2-16)
Stockton (2pts) lost to Blaydon (30pts) by 143 runs

Match Photos | FULL SCORECARD |

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SUNDAY 19TH APRIL

JIMMY'S THE JEWEL

AFTER last weekend's victory over Thornaby the 1st XI completed their pre season preparations with a home fixture against Newcastle University. Batting first the visitors made a highly creditable 205 before succumming to the Stockton attack with two overs remaining from their initial forty. Teenager Wilf Reeve was the pick of the home side's bowlers claiming four for 18, whilst Tom Armstrong continued his successful return from a long term injury by taking three for 22.
In repyl, Stockton skipper Chris Hooker (above) blasted a quick fire 72 whilst his vice captain, Kevin Ward made 26 but it was a well timed unbeaten 38 from Jimmy Ward (right) ably supported by Wilf Reeve who saved the day by scoring seven off the last over to ensure a well fought and entertaining game of cricket ended in a tie.

Newcastle University 205 (J. Irvine-Fortescue 55, A Barrowman 59*, T D Armstrong 3-22, W Reeve 4-18)
Stockton 205-9 (C J Hooker 72, J Ward 38*, K L Ward 26)
Match Tied

| Match Photos |

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SUNDAY 12TH APRIL

STOCKTON ON TOP AT MANDALE BOTTOMS

STOCKTON got their 2009 campaign off to a solid start with a comfortable 58 run victory over NYSD premier newcomers Thornaby.

On a typical early season wicket Chris Hooker won the toss chose to bat to give the team a good test on a bowler friendly wicket, new recruits John Rickard, and John Watson both went about their work efficiently giving a glimpse of what we have to look forward to this year progressing to 60 without loss before Rickard was adjudged LBW to Metcalfe. Chris Parr came and went smashing the ball back to former Stockton player Chris Harrison. Watson followed, bowled for a well made 33, bringing Chris Hooker and Kevin Ward together at the crease. The tempo of the innings duly increased, with Ward smashing the ball to all parts in an aggressive innings that didn’t include much running. When Ward was bowled by another former Stockton player Beaumont, Hooker carried on to make 36. The Stockton innings closed at 160.

Thornaby got off to a terrible start when John Watson (above left) providing the Stockton following with what can only be described as ‘top class’ fielding, stopped a well hit drive with a dive to the left and ran out the none striker without even facing a ball this set the standard for the rest of the innings.  Thornaby looked like they were heading for victory with the wicket drying out until Hooker turned to spin, Tom Armstrong and John Rickard taking 5 wickets between them and both bowling extremely well. It was great to see Tom back in the team and hopefully staying fit. The damage was done and the run rate kept on esculating, when Jamie McCue came on to wrap up the tail in his debut for the first team, claiming three for 7 in his 3 overs of medium pace. 

Stockton 160 (C J Hooker 36, J Watson 33, J Rickard 22, K L Ward 22)
Thornaby 102 (T D Armstrong 3-21, J McCue 3-7, J Rickard 2-26)
Stockton won by 58 runs