NEPL Round Up: Week 1

By Amy Hearn

There were some high totals and good chases as the North East Premier League teams were back in action for the first time in 2021.

Club cricket returned to the North East this weekend with the start of the North East Premier League.

South North started their season with a win at Hetton Lyons. Their 229/10 (50) was anchored by a 70-ball 71 from Michael Richardson, who was eventually bowled by Christopher Ralston (3-56). Karl Turner (13) and Ben McKinney (21) started well, but their dismissals caused a collapse, and Hetton Lyons were bowled out for 86, nine of the ten wickets falling to spinners Lee Crozier (5-19) and Ollie McGee (4-19).

Chester-le-Street (326/9) made the highest score of the day against Whitburn. Andrew Smith scored an impressive 145 (93), including 16 fours and 7 sixes. Sam Harris (55) was solid, but the Whitburn run chase never really got going, and they were all out for 181. There were 3 wickets each for Brodie Glendinning (3-62) and John Harrison (3-20).

Kyle Coetzer made the difference as Benwell Hill (288/3) beat Burnopfield (212/10) by 77 runs. He made 107 (105) and took 3-27, including the wicket of John Oswell, who made 55.
James Thompson contributed 77* as Washington made 182 against Felling, but a 119-run partnership between opening batsmen Joe Cracknell (87) and Arun Phogat (38) propelled the visitors to an 8-wicket victory.

Eppleton's bowlers shared the wickets as they bowled Sacriston out for 215, before Ryan Downes made 76 from 74 balls to lead them to a 3-wicket victory with 10 overs to spare.

Burnmoor set Tynemouth a target of 209 thanks to a 102-ball 101 from Ryan Pringle, which included 11 fours and 2 sixes. Tynemouth's run chase started well, with a 78-run stand between Ben Debnam (54) and Barry Stewart (31), but an excellent spell from Graeme Bridge (6/22) handed Burnmoor a 3-run victory.

In Division 1, Jack Jessop finished 97* as Ashington chased 209 to beat Crook by 7 wickets, and Shahid Khan took 7-24 as Philadelphia beat Gateshead Fell by 18 runs.

At Parklands, Bilawal Iqbal’s 6-18 contributed to Castle Eden’s 179-run victory over Boldon, who were bowled out for 105.

There were some impressive individual performances: Chris McBride made a match-winning 126 (103) for Newcastle (233/4) against Lanchester (230/10) which included 21 fours and 2 sixes, and Jake Louth scored 115 (103) as Willington chased 237 to beat Sunderland by 7 wickets.

Blaydon reached their target of 150 in only 15.2 overs to beat Shotley Bridge by 8 wickets, with runs for Graham Clark (80*) and Ross Nicholson (39*).

Where next?

NEPL Round Up: Week 2 The second weekend of NEPL fixtures saw some exciting run chases, disciplined bowling, and appearances from some of Durham and England's best.
LMC Statement: 2021 Season The LMC is issuing the following statement regarding the 2021 season.

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