1st XI Season Review by John Chapman

Well I write this report once again after my third season as captain. We managed to once again keep our position in the first division with some good results against the top teams; winning some games we looked like losing and losing some games we should have won. We won a total of 8 games, 1 less than last year; lost 12, 2 more than last year; and lost 1 less than last year to the weather (2 games this year).

I am stepping down as captain after three years. I’m still going to play and I hope to regain the enjoyment of the game. I would like to thank everyone for the support of the last three years and wish my successor all best in doing the thankless job. I would like to thank all the ground staff for looking after the field, the people who did the teas and looked after the bar, the people that scored, everyone who turned out to play for the first team, especially the ones getting the last minute call to turn out, and everyone who turned up to support us in faraway places.

With Kameron Mansoor and Dan Milligan staying for another season and the addition of Abhirham Joshi the hopes of the season looked good.

Top run scorer and top of the averages was Kameron with 20 innings (3 not outs) 723 runs and a highest score of 149not out at an average of 42.53. He hit 77 4s, 23 6s, with two 100s and two 50s.

Gary Hunter followed closely behind Kameron with 17 innings (3 not outs) 449 runs and a highest score of 82 at an average of 32.07 with 3 50s. Andrew Waters had 364 runs at an average of 22.13 with 1 100 and 2 50s. Robbie Winn had 323 runs at an average of 20.19 with 1 50.

Top wicket taker was Dan Milligan. He took 37 wickets from 185.1 overs bowled at an average of 18.81 with a best of 6 for 15. But top of the averages was Gary Hunter with an average of 15.60 from 100.2 overs bowled taking 20 wickets. Abhiram Joshi took 27 wickets at an average of 21.44; Mark Dixon 19 wickets at 26.79 and Rob Hasan took 12 wickets before getting injured and missing the second half of the season.

Kameron took 12 catches closely followed by Robbie Winn with 11. I had 20 catches and 2 stumpings behind the sticks.

Game of the season had to be a 32 run victory at the Spa against local rivals Shotley Bridge. Batting first Consett were 187 for 8 with myself having 41 and Robbie Winn 30 and extras had 32. With spirits high at half time and the second team turning up to support the already large crowd, Consett set about defending their score with a couple of early wickets. Shotley had a couple of good partnerships but we stuck to our guns and kept plucking away with our bowlers all picking up wickets. Rob Hasan took the final wicket and the victory was secured. Rob finished with 3 for 33 and Abhiram 3 for 25. A more in depth report of the season will be given at the senior presentation night.

Cheers Chappa