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WEEK 4: CCC BEAT COQUET

CCC CRUISE TO FIRST LEAGUE VICTORY

CCC won their first league game of the season at Heaton last night. The visitors were put into bat by the home side to allow their late arrivals to turn up in time to field, but struggled to 76-5 off 14 overs. CCC's fielding was at times a little rusty, however, the bowling from Tim, Matt, Derek and Rian was outstanding. Todd scored 46 not out for the visitors, thus becoming the third opposition opener in consecutive matches to remain undefeated.

CCC cruised to the target in just 8.6 overs for the loss of Greg. Rian continued his good form with 44 not out.

Team: Rian, Greg, Mudassar, Peter, Matt, Simon E, Simon W, John, Derek, Guy, Tim

WEEK 3: CCC BEAT HUMSHAUGH IN CUP

CCC secured a strange and hard-fought victory on a glorious evening in the country. The hosts won the toss and batted first, making a par 106-7 off 14 overs. Derek, Mat and Nick took two wickets apiece, and there were decent spells from Guy and John. Williamson (47 not out) scored most of Humshaugh's runs.

CCC responded badly with Nick dismissed first ball. After 3 overs, they were 3-4 with Greg, Mudassar and Peter also back in the hutch. Rian (59) and Mat (31 not out) batted with panache and skill, however, and CCC eventually won by 4 wickets with 2 overs to spare.

This was a strange game. There seemed to be a little complacency in the field (and gormlessness, as the skipper forgot the leg-side fielding rule!). Meanwhile batting has never been easy at this venue with no pace in the pitch or from the local bowling atack. Historically only Rian and Mat have scored sizeable runs here, and this was the case again. Rian's was quite possibly his best innings for the club, with Mat a perfect foil. Despite the annual batting collapse here CCC have now won their last three visits, and progress to play first division Kirkwood in round 2.

Team: Nick, Rian, Greg, Peter, Mudassar, Mat, Simon E, Alan, John, Derek, Guy

WEEK 2: GATESHEAD FELL BEAT CCC

CCC lost their first home game to Gateshead Fell Cavaliers by 2 runs at Heaton. Gateshead batted first and scored 111-6, Derek taking two wickets. The bulk of their runs were scored by Middlemiss (46) and Smith (45). CCC's reply suffered from a barren spell mid-innings and they finished just short on 109-4. Nick made 32 and Greg 25.

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

WEEK 1: CIVIL SERVICE BEAT CCC

CCC slipped to defeat in a tight and keenly contested fixture at Blue Flames last night.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first CCC made 105-4 off 14 overs (Nick 36, Simon 43). The hosts got home with 6 balls to spare, scoring 106-7 to win by 3 wickets. Nick took 3 wickets, Matt 2, Derek and Rian 1 each.

There was disappointment at this result as CCC could and should have won the game. A little fine-tuning is required in each discipline - the score was 10 runs to few, and 5 catches were put down.

A final word on the ground. Despite basic pavilion facilities the quality of the wicket and outfield was high, especially for the time of year. It might well be worth considering this ground as a future home.

CCC: Nick, Rian, Simon E, Peter, Matt, Greg, Steve, John, Keith H, Derek, Guy

GILLESPIE BANNED FROM FAST BOWLERS' UNION

AUSSIE "A DISGRACE TO HIS PROFESSION"

Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie, 32, has been branded "a disgrace to his profession" and slung out of the Fast Bowlers' Union (FBU).

The action comes a few days after Gillespie hit an astonishing 201 not out in the Second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

Chairman of the FBU Bob Willis immediately convened an EGM to discuss Gillespie's actions and today released the following statement to the press: "Following discussion with my members and in considerance of the facts placed before us, it is the opinion of the FBU that Jason Gillespie has acted in a manner unbecoming of a fast bowler. Indeed, he may be said to have betrayed all that fast bowling stands for. In short, he is a disgrace to his profession and has let himself, his colleagues, and the FBU down. I have no hesitation but to withhold Mr Gillespie's membership of the union. His outstanding membership fees will be transferred to a fast bowlers' rehabilitation unit in Chittangong."

It is also believed that Gillespie is facing a lock out at the Nightwatchmens' Union (NWU), where Chairman Matthew Hoggard has cited a breach of Rule 12b sub-clause 13 "A nightwatchman must show due obduracy and inability at the crease in the event of batting order elevation".

Gillespie was unavailable for comment.

PA