DIVISON I

Stobswood 128 for 7 Blyth 59

Stobswood 19 Points, Blyth 3 Points.

DIVISION B1

The B1 League game at Plessey Road was washed out with Bedlington on 36 for 2.

On a happier note Blyth beat Premier League Stocksfield by 6 Wickets to reach the Semi Final of the Thomas Wilson Cup.

Batting first Stocksfield reached 92 for 9 off their 20 Over’s with Andy Wood scoring 33 and Andy Sutherland taking 3 for 20.  In reply Blyth made 96 for 4 and will be at home to Blagdon Park on Tuesday July 7^th.

The Final of the Dr Tom Barlow Memorial Cup, in which Blyth face Heaton Park, will be played at Bates Cottages ground at Holywell on Tuesday 14^th July.  Both Cup Matches begin at 6pm.

DIVISION 1

Blyth 108 Northern Social 211

This was the day that Blyth, League Leaders by a street, received a rude awakening as second bottom Northern Social gave the home side a thorough going over, winning by 103 runs and collecting full points.  After making a decent start Blyth seemed to lose their focus and there could be no complaint about the result with the visitors looking the better side in most departments.

Batting first Northern made heavy weather against the Blyth pace attack of Andy Sutherland and Andy Rowell and at one stage were on the brink of disaster at 67 for 5.  Opener Paul Milburn with 20 was well supported by the middle order who all scored runs.  Kevin Hetherington 19, Matthew Tanney 28, Callum Milburn 25 not out, Dean Greaves 23 and top scorer Chris Harwood 52.  For Blyth, Sutherland worked hard to take 4 for 63, Andy Rowell took 2 for 21, Rory O’Connor 0 for 24, Mark Lawrence 0 for 34, Surjit Singh 1 for 28 and skipper Dave Dent 2 for 22.  If Northern’s top order was unimpressive Blyth’s was a complete disaster with Dean Greaves 4 for 32 and Kirk Newton 2 for 35 backed by excellent fielding and vocal support reducing the home side to 36 for 6.

Opener Martin Hughes with 26 tried in vain to anchor the innings and it was left to Mark Lawrence 47 with 6 fours and 2 sixes, and Surjit Singh 17 to put on 70 for the seventh wicket and bring some respectability to the final total.  Paul Milburn 2 for 9 and David Wanless Jnr 2 for 1 polished off the tail leaving Northern thoroughly deserving winners.

Blyth 6 points Northern 22 points.

DIVISION B1

An 8 wicket win for Blyth looked highly unlikely at the tea interval as the visitors attack had struggled to make headway against a strong batting performance from Whitley.  Apart from opener Custance everyone got runs.  Douglas’s 82 included 9 fours and 3 sixes, Harris scored 62 with 9 fours and a six while Ord finished unbeaten on 42.  Blyth’s wicket takers were Kevin Thompson 1 for 19, Ritchie Brown 1 for 22 and Arthur Gill 1 for 42.

Undaunted, Blyth’s openers, skipper Robin Palmer and teenager Adam Purvis proceeded to set about the home attack putting on 161 for the first wicket.  Purvis was first to go for 85 including 13 fours and a six while Palmer carried his bat for 88, 5 fours and 2 sixes.  Time was the only concern and Gary Cotterill solved that with a whirlwind 33 which included 4 sixes and a four.  Harris 1 for 46 and Hurst 1 for 40 were the Whitley wicket takers.

Whitley Bay 6 points Blyth 18 points.

Northern Social 77 Blyth 80 for 0

Blyth reached the final of the Barlow Cup with a crushing 10 wicket win over Northern.  Apart from Trevor Elliott 22 the visitors never got to grips with a fine bowling performance from Blyth with Phil Kinnair leading the way with 6 for 16, Andy Rowell 3 for 19 and Rory O’Connor 1 for 18.  Blyth’s openers Martin Hughes 38 not out and skipper Dave Dent 41 not out accelerated past the target without difficulty.

The final is scheduled for Tuesday July 14^th.  Opponents and venue as yet unknown.