Rowlands Chartered Accountants (formerly A.H.Accountants) News

Three in a Row lands more points at Ulgham!

Alan lost the toss on a glorious evening at Ulgham with Gary holding the fort in the absence of Colin and rolling off the covers after heavy overnight rains to reveal a firm pitch. Genetics elected to bat and were soon having second thoughts. Ian Pratt bowled well and tightly while at the other end Don in his first over had Jonny Bennett caught by Richie at third slip, attempting a second reverse sweep. Ian's third over claimed 2 wickets with a catch by Roy and a removal of stumps. There was also a smart run out by the Craig-Alan combination. Genetics were reeling but worse was to follow for them. Not to be outdone, Don claimed a double wicket maiden bowling Mike Gardner and prompting a second catch by Richie, still at third slip. Ian completed with an impressive 4-0-9-2 and then Don finished his devastating spell with 2 more wickets in his final over by bowling Jonty Tarbuck and trapping Andy Goulding plumb lbw for a MoM 4-1-9-5! Genetics were 19-7 off 8 overs. Roy then bowled 3-0-20-0 getting good movement off the lively pitch. Ralph bowled a more generous 2-0-21-0 and Ben finished off with 1-0-8-0. Nick Brown managed 35 not out as Genetics held on for an improved 77-8 off the 14 overs. Alan had stood up well behind the stumps but when Ben got good turn in the final over some byes contributed to the score.

The Rowlands response was clinical with Ben 50 not out ( 4 fours and 5 sixes) and Chris 27 not out (3 fours and 1 six) taking the game in 7.1 overs with a final huge six over the pavilion by Ben. The first over from Brian Taylor had produced only 1 run but thereafter the eyes were in and no mistakes were made. Rowlands took 9 points from the game.

Rowlands beat the Pins and the rain!

With the weather threatening and the Pins down in numbers, skipper for the night Richie asked our visitors to bat first. Ian and Don led the assault with only 14 runs coming off the first 6 overs and three Pins were already down. Pratty bowled 3-0-8-2 and Don 3-2-2-1 with catches for Pratty by Chase and Ralph whereas Don knocked the woodwork over. Meanwhile Craig had decided to make more of a game of it by declining a few chances! Richie changed it and brought Chase and Ralph into the attack. The score moved on somewhat with Chase at pace bowling 2 overs for 17 and Ralph's variation causing 16 off his 2 overs. Richie could not resist the temptation further and joined the attack to have Rob Grand caught for 16 by Ralph in his 2-0-10-1. Chris Robson completed the 14 overs with 17 runs coming off his 2 and claiming the wicket of Steve Coleman for 26, caught by Fenwick, Adam Tait, that well known travelling pro, was allowed to guest for the Pins and help their numbers. He played some good correct shots and impressed with 15 not out in the total of 84-5.

The heavy clouds were gathering as Fenwick and Ben took to the crease. Fenwick was clearly in need of a decent quality bat when, after hitting a boundary, he was out caught for 6 - by that man Adam! Ben and Chris then went beserk and hit the required runs in only 5 overs, just as the heavens were opening. Pins were most sporting in ensuring the correct ending to a very one sided game. Ben earned MoM for his good keeping and very rapid 57 not out with 6 fours and 4 sixes, supported by Chris with 12 not out and 2 fours. We all got soaked going to the cars! Well done to Colin for getting the covers back on to close a successful night for Rowlands. Eight points were the reward for beating the downpour but only 3 made it to the Widdrington!

First League Win of the Season!

Alan lost the toss out at Stocksfield against Genetics in this catch up league fixture. In a 14 overs game, the opening strike pair of Ian Pratt and Richie Munro each bowled tight 3 over spells for 17 runs with Pratt claiming the wicket of Davison bowled for 10. Jonny Bennett was joined by Anul Sandhu who was clinically stumped for 10 by keeper Archie as change bowler Don moved one away. Don then had Bennett caught at the wicket by Archie for 31 and Genetics were in trouble. Bob Wilson then had Airey caught by Ben who pushed three others away with a big shout of Ben's! Don built some pressure which provoked a suicidal run out at his bowler's end of Jon Robinson for 12. Don then took MoM with the dismissals of Shaun Slaley lbw for 17 and with the last ball bowled J Slaley to record 4-0-24-4. Bob bowled 4-0-31-1 and Genetics recorded 95-7.

The Rowlands reply wasted no time as Fenwick hit 49 not out (8 fours) with Ben 34 (3 fours and 2 sixes) before being caught off Sid Mitcheson. James Welch made 1 not out but could not help Fenwick to his 50 before the target was reached in only the 7th over. The remainder of the prolific batting line up (Dinak, Ralphy, ... )were not required on this occasion! Rowlands took 9 points from the game and moved out of the relegation places.

Another Flaming Defeat!

Against Blue Flames, Matt won the toss and Rowlands batted first. An immediate setback was James Welch caught in the slips for a duck. Fenwick Friskin had only made 6 when he was caught also off Kieron. Matt and Roy then lasted for a while until the more adventurous Roy was caught off Andy Horner for 9 (1 four). Phil Hornsey set about the bowling in typical style and made 22 with a four and a six before being caught and bowled Horner. Dinak Rawlley struggled to make an impact and was 4 not out whilst Matt eventually fell caught for a MoM 34 (2 fours). Bob Dodds made a quick duck and Richie faced one ball without scoring. 89-6 in16 overs was well short of a decent target to defend.

However, Richie Munro and Ian Pratt bowled tightly and each recorded 4-0-16-2, Richie bowling two and Pratty enjoyed catches by James Welch and Roy, keeping well. At 8 overs only 40 was on the board and Rowlands had a chance. However Dick Chapman had other ideas and hit 28 not out in control of the Flames reply. Bob Wilson bowled 3 overs for 32 while Don claimed 2-22 off 2.1 with catches from Matt and Fenwick as Flames cruised home in the 14th over. Rowlands losing streak continues; 8 league games played and lost. It was a good gme played in a good spirit, especially for the Flames!

Close Call with YAARS

The weather looked like closing in at Ulgham where Rowlands hosted YAARS. Sure enough it started to rain soon after Davo won the toss and elected to open with new boy Richie Straughan. He and father gary had stood in at the last minute to replace the unavailable Brian Dickenson and Adam Tait. Richie showed promise and pushed DAvo to run quick singles but was unfortunate to play on for only 1 with the score on 17. Davo was inspired and hitting good boundaries. He was joined by Roy and they pushed on to 58 when Davo was bowled Mirza for 48 (5 fours and 2 sixes). Roy was caught for 29 (3 fours) to see Ralph and craig at the wicket. Ralph made a big 58 with 4 huge sixes and 4 fours before being bowled and Craig ended not out on 14 (2 fours) with Phil Hornsey 2 not out. The score of 176-4 off 14 overs in steady rain but with the pitch staying firm was a terrific total. This should have been enough to win a game at last?

YAARS lost Shaz Alvi bowled Richie Munro second ball and Richie took a second for 3-0-43-2 as YAARS went for the runs. Davo bowled tighter overs at the other end with 3.1-0-44-1 thanks to a catch by Craig. YAARS were keeping up with the run rate and exceeded it with Ian Pratt 2-0-41-0, with a dropped chance by Don on the fine leg boundary, and Don 2-0-37-0 as Billy Ahmed took control. He was dropped early on and survived a very strong lbw appeal off Don when on about 60, well supported by keeper Roy but not the YAARS umpire. Gary managed an over for 13 at the death as Ahmed went on to 110 not out and Bilal Ahmed 29 not out. Victory by 7 wickets with 1.7 overs to spare for YAARS on a wet night. Seven out of seven lost by Rowlands and next up is Blue Flames, there on Thursday.