Match Report/Information
As always, it was an enjoyable, and, at last, summery evening at West Tanfield. Johnny Luty kicked things off with a well-controlled spell against revolving-door Rees who scored a brief 23 before underestimating some great fielding and running himself out. Meanwhile Bailey McCourt continues to impress. Sturdy was imperious. Flash, Ferdy and Isaac chipped in to see Masham close on a competitive 130-2
Fresh from being cut out of his car/hedge carnage, Glatman set about the Masham bowlers to reach his 50; juniors Gill and Warrington bowling a good mix including a tantalising slow bouncer that topped off-stump to send Hodgkinson back for only 3. Able was; he was eventually dismissed for 23, caught behind off Broadley who is revving-up for the weekend's action. Christian bowled a tale of two overs not help by Smart who never looked like catching a dolly; it looked like going to the wire...
In these Olympic times, Tanfield's own heavyweight men's pair were at the crease, causing all sorts of identification problems for the scorers not helped as the light faded but a good last few overs from Broadley, Rees and Gill and some more careful fielding saw Masham take four points from the encouter and hopefully remain in Div1. Thanks to WT scorer for scoring and giving us a page from their book; guilty as charged; I've lost our book...
It's been another season of ups and downs, of cajoling people to play, often without the support of the higher echelons, chasing round the county trying to find out what the weather was doing, trying to find room for people one week, having to scratch matches the next, (thank heavens for free texts) playing on puddings with eight players, playing against pros as well as against old friends. Highlights are numerous, lowlights include dropping sportsmanship points against you-know-who despite us lending them fielders until their pros arrived from Stockton. Yeah I know, can you believe it? Christian's bowling in the return fixture was a marvel and Rees' 16 ball 50 earlier in the season is also worth a mention.
Thanks must go to Masham's groundstaff for getting us on in such a wet season; a jewel in the Wensleydale crown; parents for trailing the junior players all over the place; Nikki Gill for turning-out at Spennithorne, AB for sorting out scorebooks, balls and all the other stuff that people take for granted, Kenny and others for doing the scoring, Goff and Kevin for their administrative efforts and those clubs and players that have made us feel welcome and who played in the spirit of the game, and anyone else I've not mentioned your efforts are appreciated by most.
