Champions finish off in style

Aug 22 2007 by Tony Hodgson, Evening Chronicle

CHAMPIONS Blaydon rounded off their season with style with an impressive eight-wicket win over Shotley Bridge.

It was the Shotley lads who made first use of the betting track to record 112-7.

Philip Miller claimed 4-20 but Joseph Reynolds snapped up 2-17 and then struck an impressive 40 not out to see Blaydon home, with Ross Nicholson carrying his bat for 46.

The impressive duo put on 70 for that third wicket after Andrew Stokoe had picked up two early wickets for Shotley.

More than 400 runs were scored when Lintz topped the highest total of the campaign against Crookhall.

Lintz lost only two wickets on their way to 244 from their 20-over stint at the wicket.

Chris Gray fell for 77, but Tim Hughes remained unbeaten on 88 after the deadly duo piled up 138 for the second wicket.

Robbie Hockaday looked like helping to pull off a major shock when he smashed 66 and Geoff Fletcher showed his qualities before falling just six runs sort of what would have been a deserved half-century as Crookhall ended up on 168-5.

Runs were also the order of the day at Greenside, where Glen Scott was in devastating form against Lanchester.

The classy opener looked well on his way to a century before falling on 94 as Greenside totalled 138-7, Andy Hughes snapping up four of those wickets at a cost of 41 runs.

Lanchester then topped the century mark as they ended on 103-8 after struggling against the accuracy of Dominic Henderson, who claimed an impressive 4-11.

Ryton ended up with a win after their total of 161-4 proved too much for Consett, who battled their way to 90-7.

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GEOFF Fletcher’s stunning display with the bat was not enough to see Crookhall to victory when they came up against free-scoring Lanchester in the WILLIS ELLIOTT CUP.

Hayden Petch struck an excellent 87 as the Kitswell Road side scored 180-3.

While Petch was on the winning side, however, he was still overshadowed by Fletcher, who made 83 as Crookhall hit back with 148-4 – with half of those wickets snapped up by Kevin Douglas.

In their recent league encounter, John Meadows and Dan Owen had turned on the style with the ball to see Chopwell to victory against Tantobie.

This time they reversed their roles and became match-winners with the bat after Geoff Dawson’s unbeaten 43 had taken Tantobie to 125-6.

After Chris Fellows had gone for 32, it required a much-needed partnership from Meadows and Owen, and they duly responded.

Meadows was left unbeaten on 38 and Owen carried his bat for 32 as Chopwell recorded an eight-wicket win.