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WEEK 10: CCC TIE WITH GATESHEAD FELL CAVALIERS

CCC managed a creditable tie in hazy conditions away to Gateshead Fell last night.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat in very warm conditions and took advantage of a fast outfield and some occasionally hesitant fielding to amass 122-4 off 14 overs (Smith 43). CCC can actually be pleased with themselves for keeping the score less than the 140 that seemed par in such conditions, especially with several Fell first teamers at the crease.

The weather changed as the match progressed, with a mist gathering and a distinct chill in the air greeting the CCC innings. This got off to the worst possible start with Rian lbw to the very first ball. Nick (31) and Greg (39) batted well, however, and put CCC within sight of their target, before they, along with Matt, went in a short space of time. Mudassar and Simon E were left needing 26 from 2 overs, but both fell just before the end. it was left to John and Peter to scamper through for the tie off the last ball. Taylor took 5-23 for Fell.

A creditable performance against one of the better sides in the league, though the feeling remains that CCC could and should be clear at the top.

Team: Rian, Nick, Greg, Matt, Simon E, Mudassar, Peter, John, Andy, Mark, Guy

WEEK 9: CCC BEAT CIVIL SERVICE

One of CCC's more complete all round performances resulted in victory at a muggy but moist Heaton last night.

Civil Service won the toss and elected to bat, only for Guy to knock over both openers in the first over, one to an amazing one-handed boundary catch by Mudassar at fine leg, the other a sharp caught and bowled. With Matt bowling a hostile but wicketless spell from the other end, Civils never really got going. Derek bowled well till a side strain saw Mudassar take over. At 69-5 off 12 overs a CCC win looked a foregone conclusion, but 37 from the last two overs, with Dejeger hitting Rian for 22 in the final over set CCC a more challenging 107 to win. Special mention for Peter, who took another two fine catches.

Despite the early loss of Rian, and a pitch with variable pace and bounce, CCC were never really in any trouble.. All the subsequent batsmen contributed double figures, with Nick (31) and Mudassar (20 not out) top scoring. The target was achieved with 6 balls remaining.

Team: Rian, Nick, Simon E, Matt, Mudassar, Greg, Simon W, Peter, Andy, Guy, Derek

WEEK 8: CCC BEAT KINGSTONIAN

Kingstonians 91-4 from 14 overs, Matt 3 wickets CCC 92-3 from 12.3 overs, Rian 53*

2 batting points, 1 bowling point.


Match Reports welcome!

Team: Rian, Nick, Mudassar, Greg, Simon W, Peter, Matt, Andy, John, Derek, Guy

MID-TERM REPORT (ALMOST)

With one game to go before the midpoint of the season CCC find themselves in the lower reaches of the Division 2 table in an almost identical position to the 2005 season, having won 2 games and lost 4. Yet the preformances have generally been much better than the 2005 season indicating a stronger league, but also an inability to kill off opponents. CCC's batting has been excellent so far with 11 out of 12 bonus points and 140+ against Kirkwood in the cup. The only let-down so far a sluggish run chase at Monkseaton. The bowling has for the most part been excellent, but it is clear that an in-form fourth bowler is essential in order to keep the runs down at crucial stages, and to break partnerships. There are several who have the ability to fill that role, including Tim, Nick, Guy, Cliff aand Steve, and all are getting/can expect to get the opportunity to impress. The fielding was poor at the season's start and probably cost us at least one match, but is now improving.

Finally, it is worth noting that the four games lost have been tight: by 3 wickets with 6 balls to go, by 2 runs, by 7 runs, by 2 wickets from the last ball. It is possible to identify single incidents in most of these games where the game had been lost. Yet, it is not a great intellectual leap to envisage a situation where we could have been top of the table with 6 wins out of 6.

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WEEK 7: GENETICS BEAT CCC

LAST BALL FRUSTRATION FOR CCC

CCC lost to the final ball of yet another exciting game against table-topping Genetics at Heaton last night. The home side won the toss and chose to bat on a warm, sunny evening, but made a slow start. The impetus was eventually picked up by Nick (52) and Simon E (46) who played sensibly against Chris Mee and Brian Taylor, and then expansively against the back up seam attack. A challenging total of 124-5 was set in 14 overs.

It has been characteristic of CCC this season to play well for 75% of a match and like a drain for 25%. It was the same scenario again as Gardner and Jeffrey pumelled 41 runs from the first three overs. Rian, suffering from a bad back, had to be brought on and took 2-18 in four overs as CCC dragged themselves back into the frame. Genetics suffered a collapse and were left needing 25 from 2 overs, then 12 from one. With the match tied and one ball to come the field was brought in and a four was struck to leave the visitors on 128-8 off 14 overs - and still top of the table.

Team: Rian, Nick, Greg, Simon E, Matt, Steve, Peter, Mudassar, Derek, Guy, Tim