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CCC snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

Last night a 10-man CCC came about as close as you can get to beating the runaway league leaders Fenham. Put into bat first, Fenham scored a plucky 100 for 5 from their 12 allotted overs. It would have been a good deal less than that save the three consequetive sixes taken from middle stump off the bowling of Hall! So, chasing a difficult target to win, CCC had a cavalier start with Rian batting the only way he can - sixes and fours everywhere! Rian went on to make 54 from not many balls. Then came the collapse. Planchant, Woodman, Reed and Graham all fell in quick succession. However with 4 overs to go, only 16 were needed for victory. With 3 overs to go, 12 were needed for victory. With two overs to go, 3 were needed for victory. Then we ran out of batsmen. Marshall, French and Hall had barely troubled the scorers and CCC were left wondering what might have been.

CCC were (in order of appearance): Rian, Tom, Matt, Simon W, John, Dave, Andy, Derek, Roger and Tim

Directions to Clara Vale.

In order to give people a bearing, Clara Vale is effectively opposite Close House on the other side of the river. The nearest bridge is at Wylam, but I would suggest the easiest route is to go via the Scotswood bridge if you are travelling from the North side.

Map 1 Take the Blaydon exit off the Scotswood bridge (i.e. straight on, which passes back under bridge). Go to end of dual carriageway and take A695 (straight on) (- Alt route B6317 thru Ryton).

Map 2 Just after third roundabout (after joining A695 from dual carriageway), take right into Crawcrook. Keep going through traffic lights and down the hill. After about 800 yards there is a road right sign posted to Clara Vale - (if you miss this turn off you will go round a left 90 degree bend in the road and probably end up in Wylam!). I have ringed the cricket pitch which is at the end of a track.

Map 3 Aerial Photo - may or may not help!

Hope that helps !

News Update

CCC lost to Sage by 6 runs at Close House. Difficult batting conditions (large outfield, long grass, slow wicket, bad visibility) made chasing 89 to win more difficult than it should have been and CCC finished on 81-6. A very disappointing result against a team whose league position is somewhat perplexing, with a worrying injury to Derek thrown in.

CCC: Rian, Steve, Tom, Simon E, Matt, Simon W (w/k), Dave, Andy, Derek, Cliff, Tim

CCC Defeat Aletasters

CCC defeated Aletasters in glorious sunshine at Cochrane Park last night. Both teams had turned up to Heaton MS due to a mix up in pitch allocations. CCC won the toss and put the opposition in to bat on a strange wicket, one end of which featured exagerrated bounce off a puffy surface. Derek exploited this superbly, taking 2 for 6 from his 4 overs. Dave and Matt took 3 each and Rian 1 as Aletasters made 73-9 off 14 overs. CCC always looked in control of their target and banished the memories of their terrible collapse against the same opposition just three weeks ago. Rian hit 49 not out and Ratti stroked a cultured 25 as the target was achieved in the 11th over.

This was the strongest batting and fielding side CCC have fielded for some time and a crucial 8 points was gained.

CCC: Rian, Ratti, Simon E, Steve, Matt, Simon W, Dave, Alan (w/k), Keith H, Derek, Tim

Giles The Hero In England Win

"150 WICKETS IS REALISTIC": WARNE

Ashley Giles took career best figures of 9-210 in England's 1st Test win over the West indies at Lords this week.

"It was nice to bowl on a responsive pitch," says Giles, "the ball turned and at times bamboozled the batsmen. I'll be looking to keep this up."

At 32 Giles has at least three more years of test cricket ahead of him, and accordnig to one revered spin wizard, his Lords performance could just be the beginning. "I see no reason why Giles shouldn't go on to take 150 test wickets," says Shane Warne. "The talent is there, and so is the application."

Giles himself was more modest, and speaks of the revolutionary changes in his method that enabled him to bowl such a devastating spell. These include:

+ spinning the ball
+ flighting the ball

"The two innovations - spinning the ball and flighting the ball - did the trick," he says. "I also have the equivalent to Murali's doosra, which is when I manage to combine the two elements - spin and flight - into one delivery, which is sometimes unplayable."

Giles is named in the team for the second test, which starts this week.