Tuesday 25th July

Under 17s step up to take Plate

STOCKTON Under 17s defeated Normanby Hall by 28 runs in the North Yorkshire & South Durham Junior Plate Final

Stockton won the toss on a hot and humid evening and chose to bat. The opening exchanges went the way of the opponents as Stockton limped to 39-4 as the top 4 batsmen were in the pavillion. Danny Phinn and Chris Wright set about a comeback until Phinn was run out in bizarre fashion backing up at the non strikers end. Wickets continued to tumble until 14 year olds Ben Gibbons and Phil Appleton managed to get Stockton to a respectable 105-9, Gibbons finishing unbeaten on 21 and Appleton a vital 6 not out.

Normanby's response was dealt a blow early on as Joel Thwaites had Burke caught by slip Jimmy Ward. Wickets fell at regular intervals and at 42-5 Stockton looked to have the upper hand. This proved conclusive as spells from Rashid Zahir (3-18) and Jimmy Ward (2-10) saw Normanby bowled out for 77. A great effort by all involved, especially in the field.

Scores: Stockton 105-9 (B. Gibbons 21*)
Normanby 77 All Out (R. Zahir 3-18; J. Ward 2-10)
Stockton won by 28 runs

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Tuesday 4th July

Stockton vs. Norton
Junior Plate Semi Final

The semi finals of the Junior Plate against the old enemy heralded a dramatic contest. Stockton batting first made good progress reaching 50 as the first wicket fell, that of Joel Thwaites (right) for 30. Jimmy Ward batted on to reach 50 before being bowled by O'Brien. The only other knock came from Marlon Baleci who reached 14. Stockton finished on 105-6.

In reply Norton were pegged back from the off, losing Jonathon Rickard without scoring, bowled by Din. Wickets fell at regular intervals restricting Nortons scoring. Useful knocks down the order from Shepard (23) and Riordan (32*) were not enough and Stockton ran out eventual winners.

Stockton 105-6 (J. Ward 50; J. Thwaites 30)
Norton 90-6 (F. Din 2-9; J. Thwaites 2-7)
Stockton won by 15 runs

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Monday 3rd July

Stockton vs. Hartlepool
League

Only Stocktons second league game of the season saw them face Hartlepool at Grangefield. Batting first, Stockton were on the back foot from the second over losing Marlon Baleci for just 1. Wickets continued to fall and only posted a respectable score thanks to 21 from Joel Thwaites and 13 not out from James Tompkinson. Stockton finished 70 all out.

With such a modest total Stockton showed the fighting qualities required. Entering the 8th over Hartlepool were 47-0 looking totally in control. The breakthrough came from Marlon Baleci as he had Tebbett caught for 18. The charge continued as Rashid Zahir took 4 wickets in just 7 balls and Joel Thwaites returning with 2 wickets. Hartlepool reached the target with only one wicket to spare.

Stockton 70 All Out (J. Thwaites 21; J. Tompkinson 13*)
Hartlepool 71-9 (R. Zahir 4-2; J. Thwaites 2-25)
Hartlepool won by 1 wkt

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Mon 19th June

Stockton vs Great Ayton
Junior Plate

Stockton's cup run saw them face Great Ayton in the 2nd round of the Junior Plate. Stockton won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Jimmy Ward and Joel Thwaites (12) got the team off to a reasonable start as the first wicket fell for 35. The skipper went on to score 66 not out, yet again continuing on his fine run of form. Vital knocks from Danny Phinn (11) and Marlon Baleci (19) (pictured left) saw Stockton to 137-5.

In reply Great Ayton got off to a good start with Henry Blackett scoring 44. But some tight bowling from Marlon Baleci (2-10) and J. Thwaites (1-10) saw Stockton home, winning by 10 runs

Stockton 137-5 (J. Ward 66*; M. Baleci 19)
Great Ayton 127-7 (M. Baleci 2-10; J. Thwaites 1-10)
Stockton won by 10 runs

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Mon 5th June

Seaton Carew vs. Stockton
Junior Plate

After defeat to Richmond, Stockton were drawn against Seaton in the Junior Plate. Stockton batted first and looked to be in trouble early on losing Joel Thwaites and Marlon Baleci for ducks in the first over of the game. Jimmy Ward (right) continued his good run of form, dispatching the Seaton attack to all parts on his way on his way to a fine 97 not out. Rashid Zahir also weighed in with 22 not out.

In reply Seaton looked to be on top as they reached 74-1 after 10 overs. However, some tight bowling from Chris Wright and Rashid Zahir saw Stockton home comfortably as Seaton reached 119-7 after their 20 overs.

Stockton 141-3 (J Ward 97*, R Zahir 22*)
Seaton 119-7 (R Zahir 2-18, C Wright 2-21)
Stockton won by 21 runs

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Tues 30th May

Richmond vs. Stockton
NYSD Under 17 Cup

The juniors first game of the season saw them travelling to Richmond in the Junior Cup. Due to a lack of transport a local taxi firm had to be called in and the match was reduced to 15 overs a side. Fielding first, Stockton tried their best to keep the score down on a fast scoring pitch but couldn't stop Richmond amassing 138.
As Stockton began their reply storm clouds gathered. The opening pair Jimmy Ward and Marlon Baleci got off to a good start until at 55-0 the heavens opened and the match was washed out.

However, according to 'league rules' the match must continue from where it had left off. So a week later we returned to richmond requiring 84 off 7.5 overs.
Typically, Jimmy Ward returning on 33 smashed a further 36 runs to finish on 69 when he was bowled. Marlon continued to hit out until in the penultimate over was run out for 40.

Stockton eventually finished on 131 - 8 runs short.

Richmond 138-1 (R Zahir 1-30)
Stockton 131-2 (J Ward 69, M Baleci 40)
Richmond won by 7 runs

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