BLYTH 116, KIRKLEY 176 for 9

 

This was not one of Blyth's better days as they lost to League leaders Kirkley by 60 runs at Plessey Road on the hottest day of the season, marred only by the occasional incursion of sea fret.

With four first team regulars unavailable for various reasons it was an opportunity for others to shoulder responsibility, but with the exception of Gary Purvis, Blyth were found wanting.  Skipper Mark Lawrence put Kirkley in to bat and they made a slow but steady progress using up their allotment of 50 overs in reaching 176 for 9.  There were no outstanding batting performances, Michael Nicholson top scored with 30 and skipper Ian Smith finished with 28 not out.  Blyth's bowling was steady rather than penetrating.  Andy Sutherland finishing with 3 for 66, Keith Saddler 3 for 28, Surjit Sing 2 for 18, Mark Lawrence 1 for 39 and Phil Kinnair 0 for 12.

In reply Blyth were quickly in serious trouble being at one stage 12 for 3 and, but for Purvis, things would have been much worse.  Showing great patience and good shot selection Purvis punished the bad balls and did his best to hold the innings together but could find nobody to stay with him until he was eventually caught for 43 which included 6 fours.  Blyth's innings lasted only 34.4 overs and they just managed to pass 100 for a precious bonus point.

For Kirkley David Walton took 3 for 25, Mark Ewen 3 for 9, Paul Howey 1 for 21, Matthew Walton 1 for 9 and Mick Nicholson 2 for 44.

Blyth 5 points, Kirkley 21 points.

 

DIVISION B1

 

WHITLEY BAY 137 for 7, BLYTH 136

 

Facing top of the League Whitley Bay, Blyth were put in to bat.  David Dent 36 and Robin Palmer 36 gave Blyth a solid start but they received little support as the innings crumbled to 136 all out.  For Whitley Bay B Harris took 4 for 39, Thompson 3 for 28, Wrigley 2 for 17 and May 1 for 22.

Blyth's attack made a good start reducing the home side to 26 for 3 at one stage.  A seventh wicket stand of 53 between M Harris, 59 not out, and Wrigley, 26, aided by 20 from May was enough to see Bay home with 3 wickets in hand.  Blyth's bowling figures were Alan Raffell 1 for 20, David Dent 2 for 8, Kevin Thompson 2 for 35, Robin Palmer 1 for 7.

Whitley Bay 19 points, Blyth 5 points.

 

NORTHUMBERLAND MIDWEEK LEAGUE

 

BLYTH 118 for 6, BEDLINGTON 116

 

In the Midweek League Blyth pulled of a 4 wicket win over visitors Bedlington.

Bedlington's innings of 119 which included 44 from D Wilson was notable for a hat trick from Blyth's James Stewart.  With the last 2 balls of the eighteenth over he cleaned bowled two batsmen and with the first ball of the twentieth had Bedlington's last man brilliantly caught at slip by Ross Chandler.

Stewart finished with figures of 5 for 20.

Blyth's reply was led by Mark Lawrence with 43 while Bedlington's S Taylor took 4 for 21.