Latest News

Nets installed by Exclusive Leisure they were completed mid March, they look fantastic members cannot wait to use them, especially the juniors.

A hugh thank you to our grant providers who made this project possible.

We intend on having an opening event and we are waiting for our on a date when everyone is available. 

We held our presentation evening at Ashington Rugby Club on Friday 17^th November which included a race night to raise some funds.

1^st Team

1^st Team finished 2^nd Division 2, and achieved promotion in only our second season in this division a brilliant effort. 12 wins, 4 losses and had 3 abandoned and 3 cancelled due to weather. We took 71 batting bonus points and 71 bowling points. We finished with a total of 421 points, finished 91 points above 3^rd placed team, and the team who won the league they managed to play 2 more games than us in the season.

1^st Team 2021 - Players Player Award – Adam Peacock.

1^st Team 2021 Bowler Award – Mark Lawrence 38 Wkts @ 9.89 average, best figures were 4 wickets for 7 runs, 144.1 overs with 29 maidens. Mark finished 4th in the division for most wickets.

1^st Team 2021 Batsman Award – Adam Peacock 757 Runs (9 more than Wian scored last year) @ 63.08 average (best average in the division), Highest Score 151, with 3 – 100’s, 3 - 50s in 15 innings with 3 not outs. Adam finished 2^nd in our league with most runs scored and he played 2 games less than the player who finished top who was that club’s overseas player.

Special Award goes to Harry Newman for being such a star for our club with his scoring.

2^nd Team

Finished 7^th in Division 4 which is a 1^st team league, following our promotion the season before with 309 points, we won 8 games, lost 6, 6 cancelled weather effected games. We took 39 batting points and 66 bowling bonus points and had 2 points deducted for going over time relating to the Rugby 7s. Fantastic effort playing against 1^st teams, we were the 3^rd highest 2^nd team in our division and we beat the two 2^nd teams above us.

2^nd Team 2022- Players Player Award – Colin Thornton.

2nd Team 2021 Bowler Award – Gary Mordey 32 Wkts @ 12.53 average, 4^th in the division wickets, best figures were 5 for 21, 145.5 overs with 30 maidens. 1 x 5 wicket haul.

2nd Team 2021 Batsman Award – Colin Thornton 387 Runs @ 43.38 average, 8^th in the division. Highest Score of 69 not out, with 4 not outs in 12 innings and 2 x 50s.

Special Award goes to Kelly Bell for being such a great asset to our club with her scoring and helping with the teas.

Midweek Team

Big thank you to Matty Tanney for running this team well done.  Midweek Team finished with 65 points, we won 4, lost 6, 3 cancelled and 1 team conceded against us.

Our Chairman also thanked, All the team captains and scorers, 1^st 2nds, Midweeks.

Our Coaches and helpers with our All Stars and Dynamos/Juniors.

Owen Jarvis running the best BB in Ashington supporting the club allowing Sylvester to stay at his home

Bernie Tanney without his help our groundsmanwould struggle with the ground work, also a big thank you to Bernie’s wife Ros and our groundsmans wife Alison for letting them help out.

‼️ Weekend results round up ‼️

The 1st XI picked up a huge 30 points at promotion rivals Warkworth Cricket Club with a 28 run victory in a fantastic game of cricket.

Batting first, we were on the back foot from the get go with Dent running out both partners Tanney (5) & Peacock (38) in farcical fashion. Dent (36) battled on gamely as wickets fell around him and then himself succumbed to Parnell clean bowled to leave us 94-5. Moore (17) and Jonny Storey (on league debut) rebuilt the innings around a couple of rain breaks. Moore was trapped LBW bringing Cory (23) to the crease and the pair put on 51 for the 7th wicket making hay to the small boundaries. With only a few overs remaining Storey (70) reached his fifty and then launched a number of sixes to push us to a score of 226 all out.

In reply, Warkworth got off to an absolute flyer with openers James and Phillips punishing any and all of the width on offer. At 71-0 the game was firmly with Warkworth. Enter Dean ‘the demon’ Greaves who wasted no time in ripping through the opposition top order, taking 4 wickets in as many overs with a fine spell of swing bowling which included the dangerous Parnell for a 🦆. Phillips (71) and Boyd (50) stole back the momentum with a partnership of 80 before skipper Lawrence finally got a couple to turn, clean bowling both. Opener Milburn was brought back on to pick up the remaining two wickets and the opposition finished 197 all out. Skipper Lawrence finishing with figures of 4-23.

With five games remaining the 1’s sit second in the table 48 points behind leaders Alnwick but 51 points clear of third place.

At ’The Rec’ the 2nd XI hosted a strong Consett Cricket Club side who ran out a ready winner by 58 runs.

Bowling first, we kept it tight and took wickets at regular intervals to help keep Consett in check as they battled on to a competitive score of 153 all out thanks to strong contributions from Barker (38) & Fletcher (33). Ricky Gibson the pick of the home sides bowlers with 3-7 and other notable mentions to Maddison (2-37) & Mason (2-27).

The chase however did not get off to a great start. Stu Graham with skill and quality in abundance removed Jay little, Adamson, Tommy More (golden 🦆) and Mason to leave us four wickets down with only one run on the board!! Skipper Harwood (11) was joined by Scotty Maddison who steadied the ship putting on 40 for the 5th wicket before Harwood fell LBW to Fletcher. Jarvis (25) joined Maddison (34) and he wasted no time in taking the game to the Consett bowlers with a flurry of boundaries including a big six. Short lived it was though as Graham re-entered the attack to remove both batsmen and finish off what he had started.

A disappointing result but one which will make us better starting at Ponteland next week.

Consett 28 points. ARCC 5 points.

#uptheruggaz 🏏

Ashington Rugby CC 1st XI - 222/5 (35) 14 Points

Bates Cottages CC 1st XI - 37/3 (9) 10 Points

The first team travelled to Seaton Delaval to face Bates Cottages for the only time this season, since the home fixture in April was a washout. Fingers were crossed this wasn’t going to go the same way with the clouds building during the warm up. Skipper Lawrence knew the importance of winning the toss, due to the effect a shortened game could have on the side batting first - he failed to do so and we were inserted by Bates.

The innings got off to a good start with M. Tanney clipping a leg stump half volley behind square for 4 first ball of the game. 6 runs came off the 2nd but they were all attributed to the extras column. David Dent got himself off the mark in the 3rd with a 4 of his own, turned off the hip. A couple of runs came off both of the next 2 but unfortunately so did the wicket of Dent, falling LBW to Aussie, Liam Khan on the 2nd last ball of the 5th. Adam Peacock came out for 1.1 overs before the first rain interruption - 19/1 from 6 overs.

Back on and down to 45 overs per side, the first delivery after the break had the same result as the first of the game Khan hit for 4 by Tanney, this time a hard cut shot though point. Peacock got off the mark in the 8th, with a 2 and followed it up with back to back boundaries off Saini. Tanney followed suit with 2 fours in a row in the next over through the point region, albeit one a miscue and then 5 extras in the 10th had us 51/1 off those first 10, a good start.

The home side introduced their change bowlers at this point, Hetherington had replaced Khan. After a couple of deliveries he then missed his length, dropping short on 2 occasions and Peacock duly obliged - whacking both to the midwicket boundary for 4. In his next over he tried to readjust but went too full and Peekers had 2 more boundaries in a row, with lovely drives either side of the fielder at mid off. M.Tan fell for 21 to Ashburn at the end of the next over, bowled by one which nipped in and kept a bit low - 72/2.

In next was a once more ‘tired’ Callum Milburn at number 4, who got home at 4, then hit a 4 off his 4th ball straight back past the bowler. He then needed a replacement bat after smashing yet another piece of wood, something he has made a real habit of over the years. This didn’t deter him as he hit his second boundary in the following over off Ashburn. Peeks added 2 more 4s of his own in the subsequent overs with a cut shot and pull round the corner, before another pair of successive boundaries off what turned out to be Hetherington’s last one. 2 runs came off the 20th and the score was 107/2 at this stage.

The left arm spin of Symmington was brought on but was pumped over the leg side into the trees for 6 by Peacock on just his 2nd delivery. This took Adam to another 50, continuing his excellent form this season.

Another 4 to Milburn in the next was followed up by another for Peacock in Symmington’s 2nd over, he took a 2 but unfortunately the following ball was the end of the road for him as he was dismissed by him with a good low caught and bowled.

Lewis Tanney came to the crease as our number 5 and himself and Callum picked up ones and twos in addition to extras over the next few overs, steadying the ship again after the loss of a wicket. Khan had been brought back on with a change of ends, Lewis whipped him through square leg for 4, we picked up a bye and then Cal hit him for 4 down the ground    This was the last of the action for a while as more rain fell and the players left the field - the score was 147/3 from 28 overs.

A few more overs were lost before the decision was made to take tea, in the hope the sky would clear and save us some time to be able to add to our total. When it finally did clear up enough to return to the field, the game was down to 35 overs per side, leaving us only 7 to bat.

The pair resumed in a positive manner mixed in with some singles and ran byes Milburn slapped Symmington through cover for 4 and then went over the offside for another off Saini prior to hitting him for a flat 6 down the ground. L. Tan added a couple more 4s off Symmington with a well timed guide down to third man before a back foot shot through cover. Advancing down the track, Tanney then hit Saini through square leg for another 4 before being bowled, which was unfortunate as the pair were really starting to tick.

West Indian Sylvester Moore in next, with a chance to add to his good finishing display at Berwick. He and Callum got 2s each before Callum was then caught at long on off Symmington in the next over. He blamed the bat for not clearing the boundary but a couple yards either side of the fielder would have done. Out for a well made 43.

Brother Cory replaced him and got off the mark straight away with a single, before Moore took one to get him back on strike. He launched Symmington over square leg for 6 before hitting him through cover for 4, helped by some poor fielding. Moore then went 4,2,4,2,1, off the returning Khan - the boundaries a flash through point and down the ground wide of mid on and left the last ball to Cory who hit another 6 wide of mid off. A couple of singles and a total of 5 byes came from the 35th and last over.

A fantastic effort from Callum, Lewis, Sylvester and Cory to take 75 off the last 7 and the score to 222/5.

Sylv finished 16* (12) and Cory 18* (6).

With a race against time to get 35 overs in by 8pm (we had around 1 hour 40) the Bates openers took their time to get changed and take their guards. After a maiden from Cory, Greaves wasted no time being back with the new ball as he bowled Symmington with a jaffa which nipped in and hit leg stump 0-1.

Khan was in with Fenwick now and the pair continued to play their shots which suited us as it was to present opportunities for wickets in the small window we had. They did manage to find the fence 3 times each in the next few overs getting up to 31/1 from 6 overs.

Captain Lawrence decided to change things up and bring himself on and struck with his second ball as Fenwick hit in the air and was caught by reliable mid off fielder Lewis Tanney.

Greaves went for 4 at the start of the next before getting the other opener Khan. He chipped it right up in the air just over the standing umpire and Lew had originally put his name on it until Peacock shouted louder when charging in. Not fancying being bulldozed by his teammate, Lewis left it to him and Adam took another good catch on the dive.

Really smelling the chance of a win now with the hosts 37/3, a maiden in the 9th from Lawrence was the final action of the day as the umpires took us off for further rain and play never resumed.

A disappointing end to a game which had a great team batting display in ever changing circumstances and a good start with the ball. We did manage to gain 14 points from the match and remain in 2nd place in the league.

Ashington Rugby Cricket Club 2nd Team Report

Ashington won the toss and elected to put Bomarsund into bat first - bearing in mind that the afternoon weather forecast was not good with thundery weather storms forecast. 

Well initially the storm for the home side was young Adam Gardner who steadily settled making some good shots and forming his partnership with Adam McTaggart.

The Bomar scoreboard showed 63 after 15 overs but shortly afterwards rain interrupted play and the umpires duly and appropriately deducted overs because of the stoppage.

On resumption the Bomar “top guns” lived up to their reputation and piled on the runs. Ashington rotated their strike force but a couple of possible difficult opportunities weren’t fruitful and just before Adam G hit the century marker — his grandfather and Bomar legend John Haig snr, was present to witness his grandson’s efforts — John being an outstanding Bomar batsman in his own right!

Then Adam Mc notched his half century and with appearing no-way to break through and a formidable score being posted. Just before the heavens opened for a second time and the covers on again, Owen Jarvis struck taking the wicket of Adam Mc, who finished on a creditable score or 69! At this point Bomar had reached 194.

This interruption was longer but Bomar still had 4 overs left to bat and pushed their final score to 242! Adam G on 140 not out and Alex Breeze scored 17.

Time for tea and for the Rugby lads to reflect but it was becoming more evident that the weather was going to be the winner and with no sign of improvement the Bomar captain Dan Robinson graciously approached the umpires for the abandonment /agreement!

Perhaps some disappointment in that the game couldn’t be concluded from an advantageous Bomar perspective at that half way point but Ashington were in a similar winning position against Kirkley at the beginning of the season, so as in most sports you have to reflect on what it was and move onto the next game..

Only half a game played but Adam Gardner will take all the “pundits” and has maintained his top spot in the leagues batting honours! Of noticeable Bomar perspective was the good running between the wickets!

Next Saturday sees the Rugby lads away at early league leaders Kirkley while Bomar are at home to Clara Vale - weather permitting again?

Kirkleys fortunes have dipped significantly over the last month whilst Clara Vale have quietly overtaken teams to move into 4th place.

From scoops perspective and excluding todays game, Clara Vale looked a strong side when they won at Ashington and will be our opponents in a few weeks time.

From an overall league status any of the top 8  could end up champions as only 54 points separate teams 1 to 8 and most still have to play each other so neighbours Bomar and the Rugby lads could do each some favours in weeks to come?

Match report from Ashington Rugby.s 2nd team vs. Percy Main by Scoop Mason

In addition to all the other player changes effecting both teams today, a fitness issue saw a quick replacement / backfill for Mr Raine.

Today’s captaincy was in the capable hands of Michael “Midge” Adamson who knew that although Percy Main were at the foot of the league then he had to ensure against any complacency - being a known fact that lower competition can occasionally bring you down your quality to their level!

Electing to field first, Percy’s batting started on a defensive footing whether by planned tactics to frustrate or by the 2nds attack? Their strategy continued and by 18 overs they had only totalled 44 without loss.

Then came the breakthrough with Owen Jarvis taking the first wicket with only 51 on the scoreboard.  As in previous weeks the wickets then started to fall until the all out position after 49 overs was 116!

From Percy’s reflection middle order batter Grace Langley kept the bowlers out with some good blocks and perhaps bringing her in higher up the order may have been of benefit?

Top scorers for Percy were :-

Paul Langley 44

Blyth Duncan junr 24

From the home teams perspective a couple of run out opportunities could have seen the visitors perhaps restricted to a 60/70 total but in cricket “it is what it is”

However of particular note was the fact that 6 catches were taken which is a record from the games I have personally watched with debut boy Johnny Richards taking the first 2 and Matthew Adamson also taking 2 — the first a corker of a diving catch that brought great applause from his team mates - well done!

The bowlers again shared the wickets with Gary Mordey taking 3 but of notable credit was the contributions of Owen Jarvis and Ashok with a brace apiece — good bowling lads!

By coincidence the first team were also chasing 116 at Berwick, so to open the batting with Colin Thornton came in Johnny Richards . Fearless as ever he start to swing the bat with three quick 4s but on 13 he was out when caught with what looked a tremendous catch by Matthew Keenan?  The ball appearing to hit him in the midriff and somehow holding onto it or, was it a too adventurous shot by Johnny - only Johnny can comment which he did when reaching the pavilion.

Then came in captain “Midge” and what a captain's performance hitting a score of 55 not out. Victory achieved with the reliable Colin Thornton hitting 46, with his chances of s half century scuppered by virtue of the game won.

This meant 6 wins on the trot and consolidated a creditable 4th league position.

Although in defeat one has to give credit to the Percy team whose heads never went down and played in the spirit of the cricket game, although perhaps a change of tactics to an attacking format may benefit them in the future?

In their defence and worthy of consideration is that Percy Main are going through a transitional faze having lost 5 first team players and this can create a domino / ripple effect throughout the 2nd teams.

All eyes are now on next Saturday’s match against close rivals Bomar!

Lots of players know each other and with both teams in a rich vein of form, then a tactics and a great game is awaited - weather permitting.

Ashington Rugby CC 1st XI 148 all out

Alnwick CC 1st XI 152/3

This week saw a top of the table clash at The Rec, with the first team hosting leaders Alnwick. Mark won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat first, hoping for more of what we saw last time at home to Warkworth.

Matty Tanney opened with Colin Thornton who had replaced Dent in the team this week, as the former skipper and his thumb came off 2nd best to a Stanley knife.

Alnwick started in a tight fashion with the ball, not giving much away in the first 10 overs. Tanney had picked up a couple of 4s through cover on the couple of occasions he was given any width from Bateman and Thornton’s came off the edge as the ball flew over the slips attempting a big drive himself.

Other opening bowler Burtson strayed onto leg stump twice and both times was whipped through square leg for 4 by Tanney who then took a single and strike at the start of the next over which was to be the last ball he would face this week. Attempting to push a ball from Bateman back down the ground, he over balanced and chipped up to mid on for 27.

Peacock joined Thornton at the crease and got off the mark with a single, however the partnership was short lived as Colin was caught at cover. Last weeks match winner Callum Milburn was the number 4 batsman but became Batemans 3rd wicket in quick succession, LBW for a 2nd ball 🦆, leaving us 36/3 and in a bit of bother.

Younger Tanney brother Lewis and Adam had a bit of rebuilding to do from here. It was slow going at first, with them trying to stem the flow of quick wickets and Alnwick still creating half chances but the pair saw the end of the spells of the opening bowlers. Some early runs were made with use of the legs before both men started finding the fence - Peacock hitting with the spin to go through and over cover. 4 of Lewis’ 5 boundaries were also though the offside between 3rd man and cover, before a sweetly timed on drive down the ground brought him another.

Nearing the 50 partnership, Lewis Tanney snicked off to spin bowler Harrison when playing a defensive shot and was caught behind.

Sylvester Moore was next in at 6 but could only add 2 to the total, before missing a couple of deliveries outside the off stump and it became a case of third time lucky in that over for the bowler Straker as he was also caught by Crooks behind the stumps. Another 2 in relatively quick succession left us 87/5.

Peacocks latest partner at the crease was Cory Milburn. Peacock, having already survived a scare, looked to play a bit more aggressively adding another 4 and a big 6 over mid wicket with a pull shot. He fell shortly after with another shot in the air and was caught for a mostly patient 37.

Andy Matthews replaced Adam out in the middle and pushed the fielders well with Cory who himself hit a straight six which went high and long. Andy’s contribution was 2, before he was bowled by Harrison.

A late cameo from skipper Lawrence was very much needed at 127/7 but he could only face 4 balls before being caught at square leg for a 🦆 - Cory left at the crease and joined by opening bowling partner James Richards. They added 9 together before Cory was given out caught and bowled to what looked suspiciously like a bump ball on 24.

The visitors brought Bateman back into the attack looking to finish the job but he was promptly slapped for 4 by new and final man Greaves. With James battling hard at his end we were hopeful of getting to 150 and beyond so there was something to bowl at. Bateman did get Greaves a couple of balls into the 47th over, meaning we were all out for 148.

The Alnwick reply got under way and we had hoped for early wickets from Cory Milburn and James Richards who had shared 7 between them the week before at Ryton.

Apart from a couple of half chances with balls going over heads and landing safely there wasn’t much to shout about in the field for the home side. The Alnwick openers had put away the 4 balls on offer and not a lot else had challenged the stumps. With some lacklustre running from one of the pair, a run out seemed the most likely method of dismissal, however that didn’t happen for us either. We’d given them a good start as the 50 partnership came up in around 10 overs.

Skipper Lawrence tried to gain more control by introducing himself along with Greaves and the rate did slow down albeit still no wicket. It was Greaves who did get us a breakthrough on 74 when Lobb lobbed up to mid off and was caught by Lewis Tanney.

Looking to be proactive, Lawrence changed Greaves for Andy Matthews looking to extract more turn out of a dry pitch. 12 runs later the trick worked when other opener Harrison was eventually caught by Callum Milburn, who spilled it with 2 but juggled and juggled and juggled before finally getting his right hand under it prior to it hitting the turf. It was to be a short spell for Matthews, bowling 4 overs and picking up 1 for 23.

Cory had a change of ends replacing Mark and picked up the big wicket of Brogden, caught behind by Moore, 87/3 and with 2 new men at the crease we were hoping for a couple more quick wickets to turn the game in our favour. Lawrence rung the changes again with the ball in search of wickets, with Greaves and himself back on hoover away captain Crooks with support from Reeves settled things down and they edged towards their target. They took their time and didn’t give any real chances while still putting away any balls which strayed off line.

Lawrence finished his allotted overs going for 29 without success and the winners eventually came off Greaves.

A disappointing performance in all departments but we go again next week.

Looking to bounce back from only their 2nd league defeat of the season, the 1st XI travelled to Seaton Burn.

Mark won the toss and chose to bat on a wicket where you’re never sure what it will do but runs on the board was the plan due to that.

M. Tanney opened with Dent who was back with his bandage off after looking suspiciously happy the week before, walking round giving everyone a thumbs up.

It was a slow start against slow bowling with a ringed field but both batsmen mustered a couple of boundaries each and ran some off the bat of Dent, before Tanney played down the wrong line and missing the ball to be bowled on 8.

Peacock came in to join Denty and looked to get himself in, not many shots and pushing some early ones to mid off and cover. Dent continued in solid fashion and had himself a start, getting into the 30s by adding boundaries over mid on. Peekers hit a second 4 through point before surviving a big LBW appeal which had pitched outside leg. He was not as lucky next ball as Weldon appealed again and the umpire raised his finger, much to his surprise. Peacock out for 13 with the score now 56/2.

A slightly worse for wear Callum was the next man in after being awoken on the boundary looking to get stuck into the change bowlers with the set Denty.

With a mix of some good balls turning away from the leg spinner and the odd mis-timed shot from Denty in the air but landing safely, maybe Seaton Burn thought they had a chance of getting him out. Not one to hang around, Cal was very much the aggressor between the 2, a couple of good cut shots and a drive through extra cover off the bowling of Blacklock and hitting Choudury down the ground, he seemed into his stride and had got to 20. He was bowled at this point trying to go big again but it was a handy cameo at that stage of the game.

Lewis Tanney replaced Cal in the middle. Much to the dislike of Denty who was already tiring, his runs kicked off with a mix of 1s and 2s as well as a lovely 4 though cover and a big shot over midwicket, also for 4 and both off Blacklock, while not many runs were coming off the leg spin at the other end. David hit his first boundary in nearly 14 overs off the same man as the pair continued to run well to add to the total. Denty had made it to 50 and raised the bat to the appreciative teammates on the sideline.

Only a couple of overs between the 30th and 40th went for less than a run a ball due to many 2s, 5 fours for Lew and a couple for Dent which pushed the score up past 150. With only 3 wickets down at this stage, they looked to get on with it. Lewis himself made it to 50 at the start of the 41st over with a 4 off White who was back on, followed by another 3 balls later. The bookies fancied him to overtake the ever-tiring Dent, who is not as supple as he once claimed to be, however Lew fell for 55 from 61 balls at the start of the next over attempting a big shot down the ground.

Overseas wicket keeper Moore came in with a licence to play a few shots. He was at the crease with Denty for 4 overs which they spent taking ones and twos off White and Blacklock before the reintroduction of leg spin from the bottom end which proved to be his downfall as he top edged one and was duly caught at cover.

201/5 with 3.5 overs remaining, enter Cory Milburn. The fun didn’t start straight away and the legs were still being used to score the runs (well as much as they could be in David’s case) but Jennison who had been given the ball for the odd over from one end was smashed for 2 straight sixes from each of the first 2 balls of the last over, followed by a 4 off the final ball.

We finished on 232 for the loss of 5 wickets with David Dent facing 126 balls for his 85 not out and Cory Milburn finishing 27 not out from just 15.

After his big hitting and big tea, Cory took the new ball as usual and like so often this season got us off to a great start. He had the openers on their toes and after 4 balls to Choudury had his wicket, bowling him leg stump.

The next 3 overs went for 5 a piece but the end of the 4th brought our 2nd wicket from Richards at the other end, again the method of dismissal was bowled and both openers were gone with the score on 17.

Seaton Burn scored 20 off the following 7 overs before there was a first tinker with the bowlers. Dean Greaves came on and James was given a change of ends and the runs really dried up for a few overs. Greavesy got in on the wickets after yet another juggle from Cal at point. He didn’t have as many goes as last week but the ball had gone through his hands, given him a black eye and he made a one handed catch on the way down. Wicket 4 followed in the next over from Jimmy Ricardo, trapping Brown LBW for just 2 - 46/4!

James finished his spell a couple of overs later with figures of 10–4-23-2 and was replaced by the captain.

The patient Kyle and Lyall batted together for a while (Shakespeare couldn’t write that) picking up the odd boundary and eventually saw drinks and the back of Dean who had bowled 7 overs 1 for 26. He had been replaced by Scotty Maddison, fresh from cricketing paternity leave, who had been hit for 4 and 6 by Lyall before getting his wicket when the next in the air was caught by Cory.

A few more overs passed before skipper Lawrence got his first wicket, trapping Blacklock in front LBW after the umpire finally agreed with his 26th appeal of the day. He had his 2nd wicket and leg before of the day a few overs later as the number 8 went the same way.

131/7 and looking to finish the job, Cory was reintroduced down the hill and Maddison bowled a further couple of overs before being removed from the attack, finishing with 1 for 43 from his 7. To much debate as to whether his fitness could get him up the hill, Mark had changed ends, but actually bowled better than he did down the hill with more flight and turn leading to 2 more wickets for him in the 40th over. A catch at cow corner, held onto by James and a 3rd LBW coming 2 balls later.

1 wicket left to take and Cory did just that by bowling White in the 43rd, Seaton Burn all out for 154 and sealing a 78 run win.

Cory bowled 9.4 overs, 2 maidens and 2 wickets for 26 runs.

Lawrence finished with 4 for 26 from 9 with 2 maidens as well.

Great to get back to winning ways after last weekend.

30 points claimed for the ruggaz and back to winning ways.

Saturday’s Ashington Rugby 2nd team was the derby game against neighbours Stobswood 1st team

On paper and league positions this looked like the visitors were favourites but with three victories on the bounce and the 2nds relentless spirit then a hard game was expected.

Stobswood elected to bat and they opened cautiously with only 11 runs on the board into the 5th over. Gradually they opened up and reached 38 before Ricky Gibson captured the first wicket. 

The Ashington lads seemed quiet in the field but this may have been because of the dance music that “bellowed” across the field from or from the aroma of the fish & chip van from the ongoing annual Rugby 7s day?

Ashington then seemed to get into a commanding position as the visitors dipped to 119 for 5 then took the initiative and got to 137 for 7

Then a fine partnership pushed the scoring onto 182 for 8 before Stobswood carded a final score of 187 for 9 which looked formidable.

Tops for Stobswood were:-

Dale Townsley 36

Michael Beverley 24 

David Colam 22

The seconds perhaps thinking that some untaken catch opportunities and the overall extras total might go against them?

Like the previous weeks the wickets were shared with Gary Mordey boogied his way to 4 for 29.

Pleasing for Kristen Patel to back up and support the bowling attack with 8 overs achieving a 4.63 economy rate!

After tea the 2nds replaced normal opener Colin Thornton with Thomas Luke — Colin having sustained a leg ailment.

Chris Harwood therefore kept one end tight as Thomas Luke adopted Ben Stokes theory of attack and a series of 4s got him to a quick & valuable 29 runs before he was out.

Ashington then lost out to another quick wicket loss which put the ascendancy in Stobswood’s favour. More so when batting hero of previous weeks saw Tommy More dismissed for nought. Stobswood looking on top now!

In came Jay Little who adopted Thomas’ s approach and on the very last ball before the drinks break he was dismissed on 22. A this point the 2nds were on only 97 and the anticipations being that if the Harwood & Little partnership got the team to a mark of a round 130 then the pressure might have been removed.

In came Owen Mason who had previously taken 2-wickets in the Stobswood innings and again he adopted the attack theory.

From just 15 deliveries he scored 31 runs which included a 6. He was replaced by Ricky Gibson who added another quick 16 from 18 deliveries which at 173 for 6 put victory insight.

Then in came the injured Colin Thornton who is a stalwart at the crease and he anchored himself to one end to protect against further losses and in turn to allow for Chris Harwood to add the finishing touches to seal victory.

Batting throughout the innings with an excellent unbeaten 70 he most likely warranted himself man of the match.  Again this was a solid resolute team performance against a quality Stobswood team who retained their number 2 spot in the league.

Next fixture is away to Blaydon 2nds who until yesterday hadn’t won a game but hammered Swalwell when scoring 327 (one player hitting 198) This shows you just how difficult and unpredictably tough League 4 is!

Keep your weekends free for Saturday 8th July when derby neighbours Bomarsund are the visitors. The first 11 are on an away day to sunny Berwick — providing again its not the only place in the UK effected by rain that day?

After last Saturdays grinding first win of the season away at Consett the lads were hoping that this would kick start results for future games, more so as three games had already lost to the weather!

Ponteland batting first soon saw new boy Thomas Luke taking the first wicket — this following on from his 4-wickets at Consett the previous week. This spurred on his mate Owen Mason who took the next 3-batsmen and with 40+ on the scoreboard a collapse was on the cards. However their middle order batted well and after early drinks due to the fine warm day, they pushed the score to over a 100 with 26 overs left.

Experienced campaigners Mordey and Paul Milburn took over the bowling attack and stifled the run rate with eventually Ponteland being all out for a creditable 163. The visitors top scorers :—

Harry Ash 28

Max Bell 58

The wickets were spread out across the bowlers as follows:-

Luke 2

Mason 5

Milburn 2

Mordey 1

Overall and in hindsight perhaps Ponteland might rue not using their middle order batsmen higher up the batting order as with them showing good form may have posted a greater target- who knows?

In reply Ashington Rugby CC started slowly with only 20 on the scoreboard after the first 10 overs. This however was a positive position as in recent games very early wickets have been lost in perhaps the adjustment to the increase to 50 overs?

Colin Thornton and captain Harwood gradually pushed the score on until Colin went and replacement Michael “Midge”Adamson soon followed to a controversial LBW decision, The ball hitting his side but in the spirit of the game and to his credit he readily accepted the decision, if not confused by it?

With 2 wickets falling quickly Ponteland stepped up the pressure but Thomas Luke attacked the bowling with a glorious six that flew past the boundary fielder - 24 scored at Consett last week he set out to better that.

Harwood and partner Luke pushed the score on but then again two quick wickets fell which put Ponteland back in the ascendancy!  Then Jay Little went leaving  Paul Milburn and Tommy More to keep the home teams efforts ongoing,  knowing that once over the score hit the 100 mark a win was insight. When Paul went Owen Mason went in but he game back out oh so quickly - the delivery passing the stumps but looking to see where the ball had gone it hit the wicket keepers pads and bounced back onto the stumps — good wicket keeping  or a fluke and or a combination of both

With 7 down now young Matthew Adamson came in to join More with Ponteland eyeing victory. Matthew took the pressure well keeping the partnership ticking with the scoreboard slowing nearing the 164 runs required. With Ponteland bringing back their opening bowlers a number of late wides helping achieve towards the Ashington Rugby target and into the last few overs a four was required to seal victory.

Tommy gratefully delivered striking a boundary to be followed by a Dan Burn type jig as he held up his bat in his team’s delight — not quite the ASHES Tommy!

With a good catch to his credit and todays batting performance, after remaining at the crease last week as well, a creditable effort.

It would be difficult to award a “man of the  match” as this was an all round team display with individual player efforts at critical points of the game - resolve and team mental strength that was visible in many games last season that achieved promotion to League 4!

To Ponteland’s credit they have  a talented relatively young side who pushed the Ashington Rugby team - good luck to them in coming games!

This second consecutive win indicates that the team can consolidate their League 4 status this season

To note that the umpires gave thanks for providing a good test!