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Rowlands take the League Title!

After the long wet summer an 11th hour trip to Seaton Burn secured the title. Needing one more point than Fenham from final week games, Alan put in the Burn to face a strong Rowlands bowling attack. Pratty was on fire and knocked over the stumps of opener Jason Brown for only 2. He was then unlucky with spilled chances and a possible stumping to record 3-0-23-1 as second top Rowlands wicket taker for the season. Mike Phillips bowled well from the other end with only 18 runs coming off his 3 overs and two wickets taken thanks to a fine catch from Ben and he bowled top scorer Andrew White for 26 with a real swinger. The Burn had little more to offer and Ian Younger enjoyed a tight spell of 2-0-10-1 thanks to another fine catch in the deep by Ben which dismissed opener Redpath for 19. Richie Walker took over from Mike and bowled well at the tail to boost the bonus points. He had two good takes by Matt Hynd, a bowled and a caught behind by Mike Steven to record an impressive 2.7-0-13-4 as welcome relief to the onslaught suffered on Monday! Don was granted a late over and conceded only 4 runs, bowling one out having loosened up well with jogs to and from fine leg! The Burn posted a mere 70 off their 12 overs and Rowlands debated whether they could achieve maximum points with victory within 7 overs.

Out strode Ben and Mike Phillips to take on the task. Chris Weldon bowled well for the Burn recording 3-0-18-1 and this included Mike Phillips who was caught off a skyer going for the points after an impressive 15 including a four and a six. Ben meanwhile was selecting his shots and pushing the score on well. Matt came in at number three and found it more difficult to force runs off the soft wicket. He made 13 including a 4 and some family typical shots past gully for some 2s. Thanks to some good running and Ben to the boundary shots the result was not in doubt but the 7 over marker was fast approaching. After Matt's well taken skyer, it was time for big Phil. Six or out was unfortunately out for a duck and the chance of maximum points eroded. Ian Younger held up his end for 0 not out as Ben finished the business smartly with the first 2 balls of the 8th over to end on a Man of the Match (his 6th of the season) 37 not out with 3 fours. Ten points to Rowlands! Even better when the call came in that Whitley Bay had beaten Fenham to confirm Rowlands reinstated as champs after previous titles in 2004 and 2005 and not so close in the interim!

Well done everyone and thanks as ever to our sponsor Rowlands Chartered Accountants, arranged by Alan. Thanks also to Roy for scoring and we hope the knee mends well over the winter.

Hopefully a good number of us can turn out at the League Presentation Meeting to receive our Cup and individual medals on Friday night 7th September at Blue Flames. 7:30 start and a free hot and cold buffet!

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