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Roy makes Hay at Stables' expense!

Roy made merry hay against High Stables at Beamish in the Cup when he was one of six batsmen who showed their strength. Alan won the toss and sent in his usual pairing of Chris Robson and James Davison. Davo hit a 4 and a 6 in his 12 before being caught out. Archie blocked a few and was then caught without scoring. In came Roy and the runs flowed up to a total of 48 when Appleby bowled Chris after several of his missiles had failed to land in safe hands. He hit a rapid 27 including 2 sixes and 2 fours. Eddie then came out of oblivion to repeatedly send the ball back to where he had come from, especially that bludgeoned horizontal six over point that smacked against the pavilion wall! The Eddie and Roy show was a joy to watch, With the score promoted to 103, Eddie was comically run out for 38 (4 sixes and 2 fours) when Roy's drive hit the opposite stumps and the alert fielder took a stump out of the ground. Richie kept up the momentum with 14 not out (2 fours) and Roy was eventually out caught for a MoM 52 (his second for Rowlands)(7 fours and the biggest six of the night over the far tall trees). Guy hit a single and kept his end up in the final over. 172-6 off 16 overs was a big ask for the Stable boys. The slower of their bowlers, John Appleby and David Day both recorded 4-0-33-2.

The Stables' reply was well contained by the aggressive and accurate bowling of Andy Robson 3-0-12-1 and Richie 4-0-24-2 (aided by a catch from Davo) who ensured that the target was well out of reach. Don 4-0-15-1 and Eddie 2-0-14-1 followed up with further tight spells, although Davids Lombard 21 not out and Dey 18 not out began a stubborn resistance. Davo bowled 2 overs for 11 and Alan permitted himself a well controlled over for only 3 runs. The Stable's door closed on this year's cup with 84-5. Archie had kept well, as usual, and especially considering the variable pitch and variety of bowlers used!

Rowlands Enflamed and lose for second match in a row.

Rowlands continued their losing start to the 2010 campaign and look to be staring down the barrell at relegation.

On a good batting wicket at Ulgham prepared by our Groundsman of the Year, Colin, Blue Flames took full advantage. There was a depth to their batting which they exploited to the full. Rob Walker 39 (missed off Davo before scoring), K Thangavelu 19, C Wright 30, Richard Chapman 16, M Bashford 25 and finally Andy Horner 15 not out in an over took Flames to 167-7 off 14 overs. Davo took 2-30 off 3 overs with good catches by Colin and James Slater, Chris Robson 0-15 off 2. Don was tried for only an over which went for 21 including 3 sixes to the short boundary. Roy was called up into the breach and helped to stabilise the attack somewhat with 1-49 off 4 thanks to a second Colin Tait catch but was unlucky with some difficult chances and balls just clearing mid on. Richie Munro did best again with 3-37 off 4 overs at great pace and most accuracy. At least Alan managed to run out Keith Brown for only 1.

Rowlands were always struggling to match this score but openers Davo and Chris put on 51 for the first wicket in good time. Davo fell caught for 14 (1 four) off Brown after accurate bowling by Bashford (18 off 3) and the more varied 0-21 off 2 from Eannar. Chris survived a few appeals and made a MoM 31 (5 fours) before Purvis removed a stump. Brown had Roy stumped for 2 and Craig Turnbull managed a boundary 4 before being caught off Purvis (2-21 off 3). Colin and Phil put a stand together and at least secured a batting point. Colin achieved 13 all in singles and Phil was also all singles apart from a characteristic 6 into the wheat for his 16. Andy Horner came on to be the innings final destroyer with 2-0-5-3 claiming these two and also James Slater who was stumped. Richie got to 5 not out (1 four) after playing runner for Phil who had had a crack on the knee 'for the team badge' whilst fielding in the deep and Adam was run out off the last ball for a duck. Umpires Alan and Don did not get out of their white coats. Rowlands made only 104-8, a second defeat from two games.

Last Ball Loss Hits Rowlands in Season opener.

In the season opener at Heaton against a strong YAARS XI, Rowlands elected to bat and did well for the first 10 overs of 14. Davo and Chris Robson piled on 103 for the first wicket. Sajjad and Mark Little had no joy. However, the fifth bowler, M Saqib was introduced to good effect. He had Davo caught for 45 (6 fours and a six) and next ball Chris was bowled for 48 (5 fours and a six). Roy somehow avoided the hat-trick and went on to make a useful 11 before being bowled by Bilal Haider. James Welch fell c&b to Bilal for only 1. Gary Hall was Hajji's third victim (4-0-13-3), caught behind for a single. Richie Munro showed determination and made a quick 11 not out (1 four) and Matt faced only one ball, scored 2 but failed in his self sacrifice bid for a third run. Rowlands posted 129-6 but knew it was going to be close.

The YAARS reply had to contend with some superb bowling from Richie who took out Naveed Iqbal, former Pakistan U19 player, clean bowled for a duck. However, H Hussain 30 and Hajji 43 scored at a good rate against Chris Hearn (2-0-23-0) and Davo who lost his bearings when one over went for 16 including three wides and several byes. Richie bowled out with 4-0-24-1. On came Chris Robson to eliminate Hussain with 2-0-22-1 and Don who sorted Hajji with a plumb LBW. Runs were now even more crucial but Rowlands insisted on some fumbles and generous, unnecessary overthrows to aid the YAARS run chase. Don bowled Omar Ahmed for 16 and S Raza for 2 for a Man of the Match awarding 3-0-15-3 in the circumstances. After James Welch had dismissed Bilal for 10 with a fantastic catch by Chris Hearn on the deep mid on boundary Rowlands were only 5 ahead with a James over remaining. It went to the wire and YAARS claimed victory with their 6th single off the last ball and with 4 wickets to spare. James Welsh finishing with good figures of 2-0-13-1.

Yes, every run does count in these games!

Rowlands Prepare for the 2010 Season

Our award winning groundsman Colin Tait is already working on the square for 2010 lift off when Rowlands look forward to welcoming their Division I visitors to Ulgham. The main home night will be a Wednesday but with the occasional Monday when other commitments clash. Don Catley will arrange the fixtures and be responsible for the communication with the opposition. Lynette Roberts at the office will be the focal point for team selection via email: lynette.roberts@rowlandsaccountants.co.uk and telephone: 411 2468.

Big Ben strikes again!

In the final game of the season at Swalwell, against the Nine Pins, Rowlands were first into bat. Ben and Shaun (remember him?!) opened up and put on 143 for the first wicket. Ben reached 86 before being caught in the deep off Tom Nichol after hitting 4 sixes and 8 fours with some style. Shaun for once was the quieter member of the pairing but he accelerated and made 79 before Paul Smith bowled him off the last ball of the game with Shaun so far down the pitch he was almost looking to be hand fed! Shaun hit 11 fours. Meanwhile Davo hit one four and 9 singles in his 5 over visit to the middle. Rowlands amassed 189-2 off 15 overs with all the Nine Pins bowlers taking punishment.

The Pins reply began aggressively against the opening attack of Jeff Thomson and Gary Hall. Gary had the short boundary and went for 24 off his 2 overs whilst Jeff's occasional leg side balls were chased by Ben who almost needed a passport to go and collect them. Skipper Alan persevered with Jeff who improved his line and had Ben claim the wickets of Tom Nichol and Michael Armstrong from skiers to record 4-0-38-2. Don replaced Gary and recorded 4-0-35-2 by bowling out Andy Gibson and another having not received any umpiring acknowledgement of any lbw successes. Roy made up for being padded up for 15 overs by bowling a useful 4 overs and taking 1-19. Capitano Alan bowled a cameo over which went for 16 with no wickets, despite an impressive attempt by Davo on the short boundary, Pins were down at 133-5 having not been able to maintain the early run rate. Guy kept the byes down behind the wicket as the 10 man field did its best to cover the gaps over the strongly biased field.