Consett & District Cricket Club Consett CC 3rd XI v Littletown on Sun 11 Sep 2016 at 1:00

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Consett & District Cricket Club Consett CC 3rd XI v Littletown on Sun 11 Sep 2016 at 1:00
Consett & District Cricket Club Won by 6 wickets - Consett are league champions!

Match report And so onto the final game of the season. At an earlier stage in the season Littleton had looked hot favourites to make a push for the league title and possibly see this game as a shootout title decider. However after defeats to Kimblesworth and Ryton their chances had faded away but they were still looking to round off an excellent season and cement third place in the league. Consett on the other hand stated the final day in second place 8 points behind league leaders Kimblesworth. Kimblesworth were to host Boldon CA who had been destroyers of Consett only a month ago with their strong bowling attack so despite starting the day behind there was always that small glimmer of hope that the title dream was still possible. The equation was pretty simple. Consett had to secure at least an 18 point victory and hope that Boldon CA could defeat Kimblesworth and see that a late twist could see the league title end up at Blackfyne. Who knows what was possible but the instruction was simple, go out and win the game and then worry about what happens elsewhere afterwards.

At the toss it was evident that some of the Littletown players weren't quite at their best which may have had much to do with their celebrating double promotion for their 1st and 2nd X1's the previous evening. Away captain Crowder called correctly at the toss however and had no hesitation in having a bat. Given the need for a win Cox was more than happy with this as he wanted the 20 points and wanted them as quickly as possible! Unavailabilities meant that Kerswell, O'Neill and Jackson were drafted in from the Academicals as they had already completed their seasons fixtures the previous week at Ryton and given the lack of regular bowlers available this would prove to be a massive help!

New ball duties went to Wilkinson and Southern on this occasion, on thing the team have been very consistent with this season is their inconsistent new ball pairings. They both set about keeping things very tight on a pitch that offered a little to the bowlers with the occasional delivery keeping a touch low. Riley and Braithwaite were both quite watchful at first before Braithwaite played a few strokes. However it wasn't long before Consett were to get on the board as a Riley played all around a straight one from Southern to be adjudged Lbw for 6 leaving the score 22/1. Crowder was next to the crease and had only a few weeks earlier made an unbeaten half century againts the academicals. His stay was short lived however as Southern got another straight one to keep a little low and he was gone again Lbw having made just four and leave the score 30/2. Bright and Brithwaite then combined for an innings high partnership of 23 still in watchful mood before Consett struck a major breakthrough. Having been largely untroubled in reaching 35 Braithwaite was to become the first of two huge victims for Academicals wicket keeper O'Neill who was today demonstrating his fine all round ability by being thrown the ball as first change bowler much to the annoyance of vice captain Marshall. He got one to keep a touch low an through the defences to leave the score 53/3 in the 19th and Consett currently doing an excellent job of keeping their visitors score down and give themselves the best possible chance of victory. Next to the crease was star man Hodgkiss who was up there near the top of both league leading run scorers and averages so it was vital to try and snare him as early as possible. Him and Bright combined for 20 but after a few flash strokes that man O'Neill was again to prove the key as another delivery which kept a little low was too much for Hodgkiss who had to depart having made only 11 and leave the visitors on 72/4. Consett knew this was their chance and went in for the kill superbly. Six runs later Bradley would have his first of the day as Bright's patient innings was brought to an end caught by Cox at midwicket for 13 with the score now 79/5. Bradley would soon have his second of the day as he had Gowland Lbw for just 2. Kerswell got in on the act next as the young spinners came to the fore. He had Woodley well held for 7 by Jackson at mid-on leaving Littletown in deep trouble on 85/7. A further 10 were added before Kerswell snared his second of the day with one that bounded a little and took the shoulder before being held at the wicket after a juggling act by Ray deputising as keeper for the day to make it 95/8. Then in the face of being reminded that the league leading bowler could still be at stake Bradley made light work of polishing off the innings as he first had Wells Lbw for 5 and then with his final delivery of his spell picked up his fourth victim as he atoned for his horrid miss at Annfield Plain last time out with an excellent low catch off his own bowling to remove Waggett on his ay to figures of 4 for 17, his second best of the season in 3rd X1 cricket. This would see the visitors dismissed for 101 in 36 overs after an excellent bowling and fielding performance.

The final tea of the season was taken, many thanks to Julia and Lily for the continued excellent work in keeping the lads fed throughout the season. Discussions of making sure the runs were chased down ensued as at very least it would be great to cement second place and sign off the season with a win as defeat could actually see Consett slip down to third with Littletown playing a rearranged game the following week. A slight change to the batting order after Bradley had earlier in the week dropped out of the side only to come back in at the last minute at the expense of Pyke.

Towards the end of the tea interval news came through from Kimblesworth that they had been dismissed for only 99 in their game against Boldon CA, surely there could't be a dramatic twist and a fairytale ending for Consett after all could there? Knowing this it was absolutely essential that Consett knocked off the runs just in case the unthinkable was to happen down the road.

Onto the important bit and this time out it would be O'Neill who would join regular opener Winn to get the chase away. Away captain would take the new ball and the Consett innings got off to the worst start possible. Winn who had been in such good form was Lbw to only the fourth ball of the innings having failed to trouble the scorers. Jackson was next to the crease as youth attempted to lead the way. He survived a close stumping chance but his luck ran out not long after as an awful mis judgement saw him leave a ball that knocked back his leg stump off the bowling of Crowder who picked up his second victim in the process and make the score 25/2. Ray was next to the crease to join O'Neill who was just patiently going about his work. Despite two early boundaries 'Speedy' wasn't to last long as he was adjudged caught behind off the bowling off Ramshaw to leave Consett in danger of making very hard work of things as they sat on 34/3 in the 8th over. Next up was captain Cox who was absolutely determined that his team were not going to make a mess of things and ruin any slim hope they may still have of the title. Both he and O'Neill realised the need to be watchful especially against the impressive Crowder to avoid any potentially fatal collapse. O'Neill batted impeccably not offering a chance and despite only hitting one boundary and one maximum worked the ball nicely into gaps to accumulate his runs. Cox was happy to play back anything straight and as ever attempt to apply brute force to anything loose but boundaries were proving difficult to come by. At drinks the pair had taken their stand to 46 but no news from the other game meant they just had to stick to concentrating on getting over the line and hoping for the best. Filed changed and bowling changes just would't seem to bring wickets for the visitors as Cox had 3 lucky escapes during his innings which could have easily had a big impact on the outcome of the game. However after drinks the captain decided to open his shoulders a bit taking 10 off 3 balls as Consett brought up the 100. Agonisingly the final change of bowling saw Wells trap O'Neill for 36 with only 2 runs needed for victory after what had been an excellent innings. Leading run scorer Bradley was next to the wicket and everyone in the ground but him appeared to be hoping he would get a duck, such a lovely hunch of lads these third teamers! This didn't come true but he was to be called through for a bye to leave the scores level. AS the field was brought in the captain decided enough was enough and attempted to hit the ball into next week, however he only found the edge but it flew away down to third man for his third boundary in as many deliveries meaning he finished the game unbeaten on 45 having hit 5 boundaries and faced 58 deliveries and brought his troops home to victory by 6 wickets to finish off what had been an excellent season on the field!

Still no news from Kimblesworth as to how their game was progressing so onto the weekly awards;

Man Of The Match - Again several contenders, Jamie Bradley with 4 for 17, Dave Southern with 2 for 17, Matty Kerswell with 2 for 16, Ian Cox with 45 not out but today's award was an easy decision to make. A man who had shown his liking for the big occasion on the bank holiday weekend when scoring his first senior half century at finals day whilst playing for the Academicals again came to prominence today. Usually a wicket keeper he was asked to bowl with the team being short an claimed the prize slaps of the days top scorer and also that of the opposition star man before a fantastically mature innings of 36 at the top of the order all but saw Consett home, very well played and very well deserved final Man Of The Match award goes to Ryan O'Neill!!
Dick Of The Day - Not so many contenders today which is unusual. Simon none for and Kieran no runs got a brief mention but there could only be one clear winner on this occasion. Having looked good and played some nice shots on his way to making 12 for no reason known to man other than whatever went through his head this chap decided to leave a ball only to see it cannon into his leg stump, all the more impressive given the bowler didn't swing one in or nip one back all day! A thoroughly well deserved final Dick Of The Day for 2016 goes to Matt Jackson, well done young man!!

So despite the awards being done and the game over the players were all still sat in suspense awaiting news of the other game. Updates had been coming through suggesting that it was going to be a very close finish which every time was greeted with a nervous silence. Eventually though some 40 minutes after the game had finished the result from Kimblesworth came through and it turned out that Boldon CA had ran out victors by 3 wickets meaning that CONSETT WERE CHAMPIONS!!! A fantastic season for a fantastic group of lads had resulted in title glory for the second time in 3 years which really is a fantastic achievement!! Well done and well played to everyone involved throughout the season.
As ever huge thanks to all those behind the scenes must be made. Team Grant (Julia, Rosie and Lily) for their fantastic work with team teas and scoring as well as guest appearances from Jonny Bradley on the tins too. Thanks to all who have played throughout the season and made it a very enjoyable one for all and of course thanks to the ground staff and committee members who make the games going ahead possible. Well done everyone for 2016 and lets hope for even bigger and better in 2017!!

Littletown Batting

Player name		Runs	M	B	4s	SR
extras TOTAL :	3w 5b for 10 wickets	8 101 (36.0 overs)
L Braithwaite	b R O'Neill	35	51	62	5	56.45
K Riley	lbw D Southern	6	20	18	1	33.33
T Crowder	lbw D Southern	4	10	12	1	33.33
T Bright	ct I Cox b Jamie Bradley	13	46	34	1	38.24
T Hodgkiss	b R O'Neill	11	17	19	1	57.89
J Woodley	ct M Jackson b M Kerswell	7	21	20		35.00
C Gowland	lbw Jamie Bradley	2	10	11		18.18
J Wells	lbw Jamie Bradley	5	18	15	1	33.33
A Purcell	ct A Ray b M Kerswell	8	8	12	1	66.67
S Ramshaw	Not Out	2	9	7		28.57
S Waggett	ct + b Jamie Bradley	0	1	5		0

Consett & District Cricket Club Consett CC 3rd XI Bowling

Player Name	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Average	Economy
00 - Simon Wilkinson	5.0	1	12	0	0.00	2.40
David Southern	9.0	1	17	2	8.50	1.89
11 - Ryan O'Neill	7.0	0	34	2	17.00	4.86
90 - Jamie Bradley	9.0	2	17	4	4.25	1.89
Matthew Kerswell	6.0	0	16	2	8.00	2.67

Consett & District Cricket Club Consett CC 3rd XI Batting

Player Name		R	M	B	4s	6s	SR	Catches
extras TOTAL :	1nb 3b for 4 wickets	4 105
Kieran Winn	lbw T Crowder	0	2	4			0
11 - Ryan O'Neill	lbw J Wells	36	85	65	1	1	55.38
Matt Jackson	b T Crowder	12	17	17	2		70.59	1
21 - Andrew Ray	ct C Gowland b S Ramshaw	8	4	5	2		160.0	1
48 - Ian Cox	Not Out	45	61	58	5		77.59	1
90 - Jamie Bradley	Not Out	0	1	2			0	1
17 - Jack Marshall
00 - Simon Wilkinson
Matthew Kerswell
Harry Grant
David Southern