Sunday 3rd September

Final success for Walker

Matthew Oswald Cup Final
Stockon vs. Hetton Lyons
at Durham City

STOCKTON captain Alan Walker rounded off a glittering Stockton career by leading his team to victory over Hetton Lyons in the Matthew Oswald Cup final.

Batting first on a slow damp Durham City pitch Stockton accumulated 159 for seven in their allotted overs. Richard Waite making 62 and Walker contributing an unbeaten 22.

Having lost the talismanic Stuart Walker for one, Hetton Lyons were always going to struggle. After their skipper Sean Birbeck was brilliantly caught by Walker off the bowling the bowling Kevin Ward it was left to Richard Waite to cap a fantastic all round performance by returning figures of five for 20 as Lyons were dismissed for 136.

Scores: Stockton 159-7 (R P Waite 62)
Hetton Lyons 136 (S Birbeck 43, R P Waite 5-20, A Walker 2-10, K L Ward 2-26)
Stockton won by 23 runs

---

 

Wednesday 30th August

 

Semi Final Success for Stockton

Stockton vs. South Shields

STOCKTON reached the final of the Matthew Oswald with a win over South Shields in the gathering gloom at Grangefield. The win means that Stockton take on Hetton Lyons at Durham City on Sunday 3rd September.

---

Monday 28th August

Walker bows out with Four for Fourteen

Stockton vs Chester le Street

ALAN WALKER produced a magnificent spell of seam bowling to destroy Chester le Street's title hopes at Grangefield on Bank Holiday. Walker in his last league game for Stockton returned figures of four for fourteen from fifteen overs eight of which were maidens. Visitors, Chester le Street were all out for 68 a total which stockton openers James Lowe and Guy Darwin passed in the tenth over.

Saturday's game at South North produced a different result as Stockton were bowled out for 182 in reply to the home side's 220 for nine. All rounder Chris Hooker produced a good performance taking four for 48 and scoring 45. James Lowe (above) top scored for the visitors with 66

Scores: South North 220-9 (M Hall 32, S Humble 78, C J Hooker 4-48)
Stockton 182 (J A Lowe 66, C J Hooker 45, L Crozier 6-47)
South North won by 38 runs

---

Saturday 19th August

Rain thwarts certain victory

Stockton v Newcastle

DESPITE having Newcastle on the rack for the majority of the game Stockton had to settle for a winning draw at Grangefield.

Chris Parr made his initial 1st XI fifty in a total of 163 all out on a difficult Stockton pitch. Whilst the inform Ross McLaren claimed six Stockton wickets for 69. A downpour between innings meant that Stockton lost an all important 12 overs and had to settle for a winning draw with Newcastle hanging on at 95 for nine at the close. Kevin Ward (above) took three for 51 and former Stockton player James Davidson top scored for the visitors with 32.

Scores: Stockton 163 (C Parr 54, R McLaren 6-69)
Newcastle 95-9 (J Davidson 32, K L Ward 3-51)
Match Drawn - Stockton 13pts Newcastle 8pts

Saturday 12th August

Tynemouth vs. Stockton

Mighty Quinn foils Firsts

TYNEMOUTH seamer Nick Quinn took a hat trick as Stockton slipped to a seven wicket defeat at Preston Avenue. Batting first Stockton were dismissed for 131 with only James Lowe (28) and Dean Williams (26 not out) making any real impression. Despite an early success when Chris Hooker bowled opener Ian Purdy for eight, Tynemouth always looked in control as first Paul Muchall and David Barrick consolidated the position and then Muchall together with skipper Hallam saw them home. Muchall finishing undefeated on 67 despite some hostile bowling from Kevin Ward who returned figures of two for 24 (see below).

Scores: Stockton 131 (N Quinn 3-20, J Callaghan 3-25)
Tynemouth 132-3 (P Muchall 67*, K L Ward 2-24)
Tynemouth won by 7 wkts - Stockton 2pts Tynemouth 26pts

---

Saturday 5th August

Blaydon grind out bore draw

Stockton vs. Blaydon

VISITORS Blaydon blocked their way to a losing draw at the Grangefield Ground.

The home side posted a total of 248 for seven in 60 overs. Openers Guy Darwin (56) and Grant Worrall (pictured above) (36) got then innings of to a steady start before Waite and Williams fell cheaply. Richard Thomas added a valuable 36 but it was Chris Hooker with another half century and skipper Alan Walker (29 not out) who gave the innings the impetus it needed.

Blaydon never threatened and it wasn't until Stockton old boy Peter Howells and Steven Smith arrived at the wicket that any form of attacking batting was on view. Howells helped by some occasional bowlers finished undefeated on 50 whilst Smith was needlessly run out to give Stockton their fifteenth point.

Scores: Stockton 248-7 (G Darwin 56, C J Hooker 52, R J Thomas 36,
A Walker 29*, S Gale 4-49)
Blaydon 189-6 (P R Howells 50*, S Smith 48, R P Waite 3-47)
Match Drawn - Stockton 15pts Blaydon 9pts

---

Saturday 29th July

Valuable win for Firsts

A FINE all round performance from vice captain Richard Waite (right) together with 73 valuable runs from Guy Dawin earned the first team a victory over Hetton Lyons. Batting first Stockton were all out for 213 with Waite closing unbeaten on 55. League newcomers, Hetton never really threatened Stockton's total but looked likely to hang on for a draw but Waite completed a good performance taking five for 41 including the all important wicket of Sean Birbeck (63) to win the game with the visitors still 71 runs adrift. Chris Hooker and Kevin Ward also picked two wickets apiece.

Scores: Stockton 213 (G Darwin 73, R P Waite 55*, I Male 5-58)
Hetton Lyons 142 (S Birbeck 63, R P Waite 5-41)
Stockton won by 71 runs
Stockton 23pts Hetton Lyons 6pts

---

Saturday 22nd July

Firsts Fail Academy Exam

A POOR batting display let Stockton down in their NEPL encounter against Durham Academy at the Racecourse. Only Chris Hooker (44), Richard Thomas (26) and Dean Williams (24) offered any real resistance as Stockton were dismissed for 137. Durham youngsters had little difficulty in reaching their target with Andrew Smith (44) and Richard Coughtrie (31) making the major contributions. Richard Waite claimed two wickets for the visitors.

---

Tuesday 18th July

Comfortable win for Firsts

STOCKTON progressed into the next round of the Matthew Oswald with a comfortable win over NYSD league outfit Hartlepool at Grangefield.

---

Saturday 15th July

Dean's ton puts Stockton in command

Gateshead Fell vs. Stockton

AN UNBEATEN century from wicket-keeper batsman Dean Williams helped Stockton recover from 40 for four to 261 for six in their North East Premier League match at Gateshead Fell. Williams aided by the ever improving Kevin Ward (53), Chris Hooker (40) and Tom Armstrong (21 not out) enabled skipper Alan Walker to declare after 60 overs.

Following Stockton's recovery the home side never threatened and were 180 for seven at stumps giving Stockton the winning draw. Fell skipper Nick Phillips was undeafeted on 42 whilst the proflic scoring South African Martin Bekker made 50. Richard Waite was the pick of the Stockton bowlers taking four for 36.

Scores: Stockton 261-6 (D R Williams 102*, K L Ward 53, C J Hooker 40,
C Smith 3-66)
Gateshead Fell 180-7 (M Bekker 50, N Phillips 42*, R P Waite 4-36)
Match Drawn - Stockton 15pts Gateshead Fell 9pts

---

Saturday 8th July

All Round Alan hits Sunderland for Six

Stockton vs Sunderland

VETERAN skipper Alan Walker (above) produced a suberb all round performance to lift Stockton out of the bottom two.

Durham contracted player James Lowe (41),
Richard Thomas (57) and Grant Worrall (38) all made useful contributions. But its was a determined tenth wicket stand between Walker (29) and Aussie Stewart Kimpton (left) (22 not out) that helped Stockton post a respectable 226 all out.

In response Sunderland lost wickets at regular intervals but thanks a valuable innings of 67 from skipper Alan Mustard and with Craig Symington going well they looked in control needing 78 to win off the last 18 overs with five wickets in hand. Walker claimed three of the last five wickets and although Symington was left unbeaten on 72, the visitors were eventually bowled out 16 runs short in the last over.
Alan Walker returning excellent figures of six for 55 from 20 overs.

Scores: Stockton 226 (R J Thomas 57, G T Worrall 38, M J Symington 3-27,
M Dillon 3-48)
Sunderland 210 (C Symington 72*, A Mustard 67, A Walker 6-55)
Stockton won by 16 runs - Stockton 24pts Sunderland 8pts

---

Monday 3rd July

Extras make it easy for Esh to Win

Captain Ramsden Shield

Esh Winning vs Stockton

DESPITE setting an imposing target of 168 thanks to some impressive strokeplay from Kevin Ward (49 not out), Chris Parr (33 not out) and Richard Waite (30) Stockton crashed out of the Captain Ramsden Shield at the first attempt.

After setting what should have been a defendable total inaccurate bowling which yielded 30 wides and a quickfire half century from Watson supported by Pakistani professional Farouk Iqbal saw Esh Winning home with three balls to spare.

---

Saturday 1st July

South North send Stockton West

Stockton vs South North

AFTER the euphoria of last week's victory over neighbours Norton, Stockton came back down to earth bump as they crashed to a 57 run defeat against South North at Grangefield.

Despite an early struggle the reigning NEPL champions declared at 208 for eight at the end of 60 overs. The main contributors were former Durham and Notts batsman Chris Hewison who top scored with 79 and Dave Clark recently promoted from the seconds who made 37. Alan Walker with two for 11 was the pick of the Stockton attack.

Stockton were always on the back foot after losing James Lowe, Richard Thomas and a large part of the middle order cheaply. Some determined batting from Kevin Ward (24) and Michael Wood (19) salvaged the possibility of draw but the homeside eventually capitulated to 147 all out.

Scores: South North 204-8 (C Hewison 79, D Clark 34, A Walker 2-11)
Stockton 147 (S Humble 3-54, L Crozier 3-25)
South won by 57 runs - South North 27pts Stockton 5pts

 

 

---

Saturday 24th June

Guy's worth the Waite

Stockton vs. South North

GUY DARWIN'S (above) long awaited return from injury began with a magnificent innings of 121 which set up the 1st XI’s first win of the season.

Darwin’s return and James Lowe’s consecutive hundreds for Durham 2nds in midweek contributed to air of confidence around Grangefield. Unfortunately Lowe continues to struggle to find form in the league and was dismissed without scoring. Nevertheless, Darwin’s century together with contributions from Kevin Ward (35) and Richard Waite (29) allowed Stockton to declare on 245 for eight after 60 overs.

Whilst a defeat never looked on the cards, recent form suggested that Stockton would struggle to bowl the visitors out. Norton began well with the opening partnership between Jonathan Rickard (29) and John Watson (55) yielding 52 runs. Although wickets fell regularly a draw looked odds on until with two overs to go and the score on 135 for seven the game changed. Stockton's vice skipper Richard Waite produced a memorable four ball spell taking three Norton wickets, the last with a brilliant return catch to seal a maximum 30 point victory.

Scores: Stockton 245-8 (G Darwin 121, K L Ward 35, P Armstrong 4-48)
Norton 135 (J Watson 55, R P Waite 6-32)
Stockton won by 110 runs - Stockton 30pts Norton 5pts

---

Saturday 17th June

Hooker stays in control

CHRIS HOOKER (right) scored his second hundred of the season as the first team  managed to hang on for draw against table toppers Chester le Street at Ropery Lane on Saturday.

The Cestrians top four batsman all made over 50 as they amassed 306 for three before declaring. In reply only Hooker (110 not out), James Lowe (31) and Dean Williams (26) offered any real resistance as the visitors struggled to stave off defeat closing on 227 for nine.

Scores: Chester le Street 306-3 (D G Shurben 86, J Coxon 73*, Q J Hughes 59,
W Ritzema 52)
Stockton 227-9 (C J Hooker 110*, J Lowe 31)
Match Drawn - Chester le Street 16pts Stockton 7pts

---

Saturday 10th June

Close encounters of the First Kind

THE FIRSTS narrowly missed completing their first league victory of the season when Benwell Hill were left reeling at 168 for nine as Richard Waite (pictured left) took eight for 28 in a remarkable spell of off spin bowling.

Chris Hooker (53) and Grant Worrall (41 not out) were the top performers in a Stockton innings that yielded 228 for nine. The visitors started well with David Myers making 34 in partnership with Simon Birtwistle (58). However, the introduction of vice captain Richard Waite into the attack sparked a dramatic turnaround. Waite bowled seven of his eight victims with the other being stumped by keeper Dean Williams.

Scores: Stockton 228-9 (C J Hooker 53, G T Worrall 41*, D R Williams 39,
Y Ali 3-60)
Benwell Hill 168-9 (S J Birtwistle 58, D N G Myers 34, R P Waite 8-28)
Match Drawn - Stockton 14pts Benwell Hill 8pts

---

Friday 9th June

Holders "in it to win it"

Justsport Trophy
Swalwell v Stockton

STOCKTON the holders of the Jusport Trophy began their defence with a seven wicket victory over Swallwell.

All rounders Kevin Ward and Chris Hooker finished unbeaten as Stockton overhauled a total of 133 with the penultimate ball of the game. Stockton & Cumberland wicket keeper Dean Williams (left) completed his first fifty for the club.

 

---

 

Saturday 3rd June

Waite turns on the heat

Newcastle v Stockton

On the first day of summer Richard Waite finally came out of hibernation and the top order scored runs.  Skipper Alan Walker won the toss and elected to bat. James Lowe scored an impressive 39 before needlessly charging Jonathan Bailey and being stumped with the score on 74 for 1 after 28 overs.  There followed an 80 run partnership between Pierre Jason (44 off 58 balls) and Richard Waite, scored in a further 21 overs. Then came the onslaught  - Chris Hooker arrival was  to a rapturous welcome  from ex Stocktonian - James Davidson who, unfortunately for him had just come on to bowl - his 2 overs were despatched to all parts of  the ground and nearby streets by a typically belligerent Chris Hooker and cost 38 runs. Davison was, of course to have the last laugh. Richard Waite finished unbeaten on a magnificent 117 when the declaration came at 262 for 4 off 60 overs.

Newcastle wickets fell at regular intervals and at 73 for 6 with 23 overs to go, Stockton's first win of the season seemed a distinct probability. Unfortunately the aforementioned James Davison stuck to his task (despite the obvious torments about his bowling, his change of clubs, his parentage etc…) making 68 out of a Newcastle total of 134 for 7 at the close.

Scores: Stockton 262-4 (R P Waite 117*, P Jason 44, C J Hooker 28)
Newcastle 134-7 (J Davidson 68, A Walker 2-13)
Match Drawn – Stockton 15pts Newcastle 6pts

---

Saturday 25th & Monday 27th May

Bleak Bank Holiday for Firsts

 

Going into the bank holiday weekend, Blaydon were the 1st opponents on the Saturday. The game didn’t go according to plan. After a good start and very tight bowling from all Stockton’s bowlers, Mark Drake and Geoff Stewart showed good resistance, scoring 51 and 48 to get them to a respectable 171 for 8. Pick of the bowlers were Chris Hooker (3-51) and Kevin Ward (2-6) with the rest of the bowlers bowling well without much reward. In the reply the opening pair got us off to a good start with Stewart Kimpton (right) scoring quickly for his (26) and James Lowe with his (19) but we were unable to capitalise on our hard work with the ball and were bowled out for 133.



Blaydon 171 for 8 Stockton 133 all out
Blaydon 21 pts Stockton 5pts

On Bank Holiday Monday Tynemouth were the opponents at home and Alan Walker won the toss and elected to bat first and we didn’t get off to the best of starts with Stewart Kimpton going early. Richard Waite anchored the innings and played well for a steady 52 with the middle order batting around him, before Chris Hooker played a cameo innings at the end for 43 off 32 balls and Stockton ended up 209 for 9 after a revised 63 overs. The Tynemouth innings didn’t get off to the best of starts either with two of the top order going cheaply, Chris Hooker with an opening spell of (2-17) off his 7 overs. In spite of some tight bowling by Alan Walker two large partnerships saw the visitors home with a 7 wicket to spare. David Barrick with a well played (58) and the two not out batsman were Barry Stewart (43) and Paul Muchall with an excellent (93).

Stockton 209 for 9 Tynemouth 212 for 3.
Stockton 4pts Tynemouth 22pts

---

Saturday 21st May

Firsts on top at the Hill

On a day when all play in Cleveland was prevented by rain we were surprised to be asked to travel let alone start almost on time. Winning the toss Alan Walker asked Benwell to bat first which should not have been easy. And so it proved. Benwell had reached 89 for 3 when rain stopped play after 35 overs. This also reduced their overs allocation to 49 . Their final total of 141 for 7 was restricted by tight bowling from Alan Walker (3 for 30) and Stuart Kimpton (2 for 21).

Stockton had 40 overs to reach the target but the lack of runs from the top order once again proved our undoing. At 11 for 3 it was left to Chris Hooker (38) and Kevin Ward (40) to provide an outside chance of a win. After securing the winning draw it was a shame that neither could go on to win the game and once again it was left to the tail to survive for a draw.

Benwell Hill 141-7 (M Dale 46, A Walker 3-30, S Kimpton 2-21)
Stockton 128-9 (K L Ward 40, C J Hooker 38, M Pollard 5-34)
Match Drawn: Benwell Hill 8pts Stockton 11pts

---

Sunday 14th May

Bad Day as Scarborough rock Firsts

Stockton were dumped out of the Cockspur Cup by Scarborough at North Marine Drive on Sunday. Having lost toss and being invited to bat Stockton were reeling at 14 for 4 with Dean Williams (4), James Ward (6), Richard Waite (0) and Chris Hooker (0) (see right) all back in the pavillion. Pierre Jason (5) soon followed and despite some resistance from Kevin Ward (29), Simon Davison (17) and Mark Fletcher (10) they crumbled to a meagre 85 all out. Alan Walker managed to grab an early wicket but the final result was never in doubt as the home side cruised to eight wicket win inside 20 overs.

Stockton 85 (K L Ward 29, M Lawson 4-21)
Scarborough 90-2 (D Harland 40*)
Scarborough won by 8 wkts

---

Saturday 6th May

Stockton vs. Gateshead Fell

Stockton lose narrowly in Thriller

Winning the toss and deciding to bat on a day when rain was expected around tea time , Stockton had an early reversal when James Lowe was caught behind for 1. This was followed by a steady partnership between Dean Williams and Richard Waite taking the score to 68 before Williams was caught and bowled for 33. Wickets fell quickly and when Waite was out for 47 Stockton were in trouble. Once again Kevin Ward proved the saviour hitting a very good 63 not out and along with Alan Walker and latterly Simon Davison got the score up to a creditable 214 for 8 after 60 overs.

Stockton took wickets at regular intervals although "Boris" Bekker made an impressive 100. The game was still in the melting pot when the rain belatedly arrived. Luckily it was not heavy enough to prevent a very entertaining match drawing to an exciting conclusion as Waite took 2 wickets with successive balls to have Fell at 208 for 9. Unfortunately the last pair produced the required runs and Stockton were beaten by 1 wicket. Fourteen year old debutant Farouq Din finished with figures of two for 34.

Stockton 214-8 dec (K L Ward 63*, R P Waite 47, D Williams 33)
Gateshead Fell 215-9 (M Bekker 100, R P Waite 4-49, K L Ward 2-59,
F Din 2-34)
Gateshead Fell won by 1wkt - Gateshead Fell 24 points Stockton 8 points.

---

Sunday 30th April

Stockton vs. Blaydon
Banks Salver - 1st Round

Hooker's hundred dumps Blaydon out of Salver

A magnificent 85 ball 100 from Chris Hooker rescued Stockton in the first round of the Banks Salver. Ably supported by Kevin Ward who completed his first 1st team fifty, Hooker enabled Stockton to reach a respectable 225 for 8 after they had struggled to reach 70 for six aganst some accurate Blaydon bowling. Some excellent fielding all round and tight bowling from Kevin Ward (2 for 9), James Lowe (2 for 26) and Tom Armstrong whose nine overs included three maidens and only cost 22 runs left Blaydon 76 runs short of their revised target.

Stockton 225-7 (C J Hooker 101, K L Ward 59*, C Simpson 5-36)
Blaydon 110-7 (K L Ward 2-9, J Lowe 2-26) - Revised Target 186
Stockton won by 76 runs

 

---

Saturday 29th April

Sunderland vs. Stockton

A solid half century from James Lowe and a gutsy 24 from Tom Armstrong helped Stockton secure a draw against a strong Sunderland side. Stockton were 179 for 9 at stumps in reply to Sunderland's 233 for 4 dec getting their league campaign off to a reasonable start with seven points.

Sunderland 233-4 (G Applegarth 77*, S J Old 69, A Mustard 31)
Stockton 179-9 (J Lowe 65, I Shah 3-25)
Match Drawn - Stockton 7pts Sunderland 15pts

---