Stockton Cricket Club | 3rd XI

Sunday 16th July

Stockton's domination of Norton Complete

Stockton 3rd X1 V Norton 3rd X1

Tim Cooper

ON A yet again beautiful and glorious summer day, Stockton 3rds took a blend of youth and experience (well Chris Brennan), to Norton to play the unbeaten early leaders in the 3rd division proper. With the 1st, 2nd and U17 teams all beating Norton this summer the players felt under pressure to perform and keep the fabulous run against our neighbours ticking over.

Having won the toss Stockton asked Norton to field and despite the early loss of both Andy Parr and Marlon Baleci Stockton posted a very competitive total of 235, declaring controversially, in the 44th over.

Tim Cooper played an anchor role and played his way steadily to 88 runs. A less stylish but very aggressive and bludgeoning knock from Rich Tunney also saw him to 88. Both players had time to get their tons but fell an agonizing 12 runs short.

Stockton declared to prevent Norton gaining an extra bonus point and give themselves an extra over to dismiss the opposition.

Norton started well and were 70 / 0 when Ian Cooper struck and dismissed Fawcett for 36. Norton looked to be cruising to the total but a flurry of wickets from Tompkinson and Brennan led to them starting to crumble. Young Thomas cockily remarked that Norton 3rds scored 25o every week. It was not to be this time however as Chris Brennan four for 44 and Rich Tunney two for 29 mopped up the last six wickets in ten overs with a dramatic run out with 8 balls left leading to the full 20 points going our teams way.

In the end a great victory for the lads and the thirds go marching on!!!

Stockton 235- 9 (T Cooper 88, R J E Tunney 88)
Norton 210 (M Thomas 71 , C Brennan 4-44)
Stockton won by 25 runs

Sunday 9th July

Juniors are doing it for the Thirds

Jimmy Ward

Once again the 3rd X1 fielded a young but very strong side to play Tynemouth at home.

A somewhat cooler and cloudier sky greeted the the two teams as Stockton lost the toss and were asked to field. Ian Cooper struggled along with Rich Tunney to break the deadlock and it was left to James Ward, being given a chance to improve his faltering 2nd team form, to get the breakthrough.

Farooq Din then went on to capture five priceless wickets including that of danger man, Tony Lion, for none. Also chipping in with wickets were Michael Rushforth (1), Rich Tunney (2) and Andy Parr (1). After making a very aggressive start Tynemouth were dismissed for 181 in the penultimate over.

Stockton had a huge batting line up for third team cricket and the tail was certainly expected to wag with the like of Ian Cooper and Chris Brennan batting at eight and nine respectively. As it turned out they were not needed as James Ward, with a very mature and confident hundred (105), scored most of the runs with the help of James McCue (44).

Skipper Rich Tunney came in for an aggressive bout of hitting and scored 20 in quick time, to finish the game off. Surely ambitions of glory and success may not be too far wide of the mark for what must be one of the youngest, but most talented, sides in the league.

Scores: Tynemouth 181 (F Din 5-45)
Stockton 182-2 (J Ward 105*, J McCue 44, R J E Tunney 20*)
Stockton won by 8 wkts

Sunday 2nd July

Stockton vs Blaydon
League

After a lengthy spell without cricket a strong 3rd X1 looked forward to a successful league campaign after encouraging signs in the controversial cup competition.

Welcoming Chris Brennan and Farooq Din into the team from the seconds Stockton won the toss and elected to bat. After losing early wickets
RJE Tunney (right) and James McCue both put good scores on the board (65 and 30 respectively). Ian Cooper and Joe Savage kept the innings going superbly and Stockton raced to 221 for seven off 45 overs.

Blaydon started shakily and Stockton grabbed 5 wickets 'early doors'. In hot and humid conditions the change bowlers failed to capitalise on Ian Richards early successes and a mid innings partnership involving the very fortunate Cawthorne (51) saw Blaydon just scrape home to 222 for 7.

A mixed bunch of emotions in the changing room after the game for the tired stockton players. If they continue to score 200+ runs every week they will without doubt finish close to the top of the league. Things could have gone very differently had the lucky Cawthorne been dismissed of a number of inside edges but it was not to be.

A lot of positives can be taken and hopefully the good batting form will roll over into the bowling side of the game.

Stockton 221-9 ( RJE Tunney 65 J McCue 30 J Savage 30)
Blaydon 222-7 (I Richards 4-32)
Blaydon won by 3 wkts

Sunday 25th June

Sunderland vs. Stockton
League

Match Abandoned

Sunday 4th June

Newcastle v Stockton
Banks Cup - Group Stage

Travelling to Newcastle with a very young but enthusiastic third team, skipper Rich Tunney won the toss and put Newcastle into bat.

A brilliant opening attack of James (Glyn) Tompkinson and Rash Zahir had Newcastle 14 for 5. Wilf (Vic) Reeve then came on and in his debut spell took one wicket for one run off four overs. Newcastle's wily skipper steadied their ship and the home team limped and scratched their way to 102 All Out. It was a fantastic display by a Third Team with an average age only just bumped over the 19 mark with the inclusion of Fourth eleven skip John Cherry.

Ben Gibbons, making his debut in Senior cricket, opened with John for Stockton and got plenty of time at the crease. The opening pair paved the way for
Rich Tunney (33) and Danny Phinn (16) to make real inroads into Newcastles total. Wilf Reeve once again showed composure often lacking in the older members of the team (Kitch!) and knocked the runs off superbly with Rob Webster, who in his first game of the season looked very impressive.

A truly remarkable win for Stockton who proved, with a victory against a team full of adults, that if you are good enough you are old enough.

Newcastle 102 (R Zahir 4 -11, J Tompkinson 2 - 9, Wilf Reeve 2 - 17)
Stockton 103 - 6 (R J E Tunney 33, D Phinn 16)
Stockton won by 4 wkts

Sunday 28th May

Stockton v Tynemouth
Banks Cup - Group Stage

Thirds look forward to league success

In only the second game of their season Stockton 3rd X1 won the toss and chose to bat. Lining up against a much older and experienced opposition Marlon Baleci (31) and Grant Worrall (41) led the charge for the home team. After looking like posting a total near 200 Grant Worrall was dismissed with a stupendous caught and bowled and the team fell to 146 All Out.

Ian Cooper struck in the first over for the second game in a row a Ian Richards looked menacing nd Ian Richards (pictured) looked threatening having the opener dropped in successive overs.This was the story of the game for Stockton as they dropped Tynemouths opener, who went on to make 50+ runs, four times. Grant Worrall took wickets in a game which could have been very different if Stockton Thirds hands were not made out of Utterly Butterly.

Although Tynemouth eventually made it home with five wickets to spare. Encouraging signs are evident throughout the team and it was inspiring to see James Tomkinson field magnificently after a couple of bloopers early on in the game.

The thirds now look forward to a league campaign which will hopefully be less affected by weather and more afflicted with success!

Sunday 7th May

Stockton vs. South North
Banks Cup - Group Stage

Match Abandoned without a ball being bowled

Monday 1st May

Blaydon vs. Stockton
Banks Cup - Group Stage

Stockton batted first and after a positive start by openers Andy (tino) Parr and Marlon Baleci the middle order offered little resistance and a low total was on the cards. However James McCue put up a brave fight and batted on throught the pain after recieving a lusty blow in the real soft spot. Aided by Ian Cooper, who top scored with 20, Stockton battled to 118 All Out.

Ian (Steptoe) Cooper took a wicket in his first over but a rain reduced total (92) led to Blaydon easing home with Farooq Din taking a wicket in an unplayable spell.
Other higlights included skipper Rich Tunney being hit for the biggest six Blaydon has ever seen, losing the only match ball he had, after telling his team they would be punished if this poor foresight was brought to light.

Stockton 118 (I Cooper 20)
Blaydon 119-3

Blaydon won by 7 wkts