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Another Game postponed

CCC V Beamish July 4th - postponed - Rain

Game postponed

CCC V Beamish postponed from June 20th again postponed on July 2nd - Rain!

WEEK 6: CUMBERLAND PARTNERS BEAT CCC

CCC will be kicking themselves this morning after missing a great opportunity to claim the scalp of the league leaders at Prior's Park last night.

Whilst much of the country remained under water, Tynemouth basked in sunlight, although the outfield was damp and the wicket turned into a chocolate pudding as the game progressed.

The Partners compiled a studied 84-6 from 14 overs. This was undoubtedly CCC's best bowling performance of the season, with Matt claiming 4-12 and Rian 2-18. The fielding was also good, especially once the conditions and pitch became more familiar, and the field was set appropriately.

CCC realised that despite their decent batting this season this target would not be an easy one. When Nick was given out lbw by Guy after three balls the task was made more difficult. It looked as though Rian, who batted superbly for his 32, and Matt would be able to complete the job, but Matt was needlessly run out, albeit to a very athletic piece of work. Rian soon followed - another lbw decision - after which Partners brought on their quickest bowler: Yoosuf simply destroyed the middle and lower order, taking 6-10 in three fast overs in fading light to leave CCC 75 all out.

CCC were moreorless in control of this game for three quarters of its length. Partners were canny to leave their quickest bowler to the end, especially on such a slow, sticky track and in receding light. In fact Partners were also outstanding in the field, the best seen for a long time. Overall, a creditable if frustrating performance made slightly more bearable by the traditional hot potatoes in the pub afterwards.

CCC 2 Cumberland Partners 9

Team: Nick, Rian, Simon E, Peter, Matt, John, Ian, Guy, Roger, Derek, Tim

CCC TO STICK TO OLD BALLS

CCC will not be trialling a new range of orange cricket balls, it has been announced. Whilst several North East Mid Week clubs have opted for the new high visibility orange ball, CCC will continue to use the familiar ‘Reject’ Ball.

"The Reject Ball is ideal for our needs," said CCC Treasurer and Ball Tsar Roger French. "Its characteristics are a distressed off-red appearance and a mouse-nibbled seam. It's also mis-shapen, and is available in an optional 'puddle-cured' heavyweight version. The Reject is finished to a high standard by being kept in someone's bag or under a hedge for the close season.”

CCC has long been a fan of the Reject range of cricket gear, which includes the single left-hand pad, the greasy communal box, and the 1980s jockstrap with its own ecosystem.

WEEK 5: CCC BEAT ADDERS

CCC achieved one of their most famous victories at cloud-drenched Backworth last night.

With 16 players past and present unavailable, Simon, Roger, Matt and Rian scoured the country in search of an XI for this vital fixture. The team that took the pitch included Roger and Ian (first games of the season), David (first league game for two years) and Simon Featherstone (first game of cricket since 1997 - he even went out and bought new trainers to mark the occasion).

On winning the toss Simon E put the hosts in to bat on the usual beautiful Backworth wicket. Derek and Matt opened with two overs apiece, but found that anything that got past the infield raced away for four, especially down the hill towards the golf course. Rian's friend Kamran was brought onto bowl, and produced a fast, tight spell of four overs from the stately home end. Guy bowled four off the bounce from the other end, bowling the dangerous Wilkin with one out of the back of the hand, and effecting the stumping of Scott for 31 off a wide.

This was one of a number of triumphs for Rian, who took the gloves after a reoccurence of his leg injury. He ran out the hard-hitting Walker with a good throw from Matt and caught Chris Wilkie. With Simon E taking a sharp catch at midwicket the hosts finished on a par 137-5.

When the ball came to the fielders the ground-fielding was good. Special mention should go to Roger and Simon F, whose combined age would warrant a telegram from the queen, but whose fielding was exemplary.

Rian started the reply with a blistering 23. Guy, promoted from number 10 to open acored a skillful 18, but at 50-1 off 7 overs CCC had a mountain to climb. However, Simon E and Matt relished bating on a proper wicket and played good scoring shots without resorting to slogging. When Simon holed out to deep mid-on for 29, Matt was joined by Sunday's hero David Graham. He deliberately (we like to think) left a number of balls to take the game to the wire, before hitting a four through point to tie off the penultimate ball, and then scrambling a single from the last. CCC 138-3 off 14 overs, with Matt MoM for his 32 not out.

This was a fantastic win, as Adders have a couple of Backworth CC players, some nippy bowlers and hard-hitting batsmen. No one let their heads drop when the ball was racing to the boundary, and the batting was patient and calculated. Credit should go to everyone who took part, and who took their opportunity when it came.

CCC 8 Adders 2

Team: Rian, Guy, Simon E, Matt, David, Kamran, Ian, Roger, Derek, Cliff, Simon F