Stanhope Win Back The Weardale Ashes

Stanhope vs. Wolsingham
Sunday 29th June

Cricket fans are still trying to forget the disastrous last tour of Australia by England, when for no apparent reason it was decided to give The Ashes away without a fight in exchange for a sun tan. What does that have to do with Wear Dale? Not a great deal, except that last weekend The Ashes were fought for once more. Not by M. Vaughan or R. Ponting; but by two local stalwarts of the beautiful game with similar characteristics.

The Captain of Stanhope, S. Campbell, is noted for being calculated, inventive in field placing and always ready to adapt a game plan if needed. J. Wilkes the Wolsingham Captain, like R. Ponting wears his heart on his sleeve, is highly competitive and is passionate about his team.

Last year at Wolsingham, J. Wilkes and the rest of the Wolsingham Team simply took Stanhope apart, and left the then holders feeling somewhat deflated. The Ashes were handed to J. Wilkes as Wolsingham won the game comfortably. This competition is now in its third year and honours are even so with everything to play for both teams assembled at Unthank Park, Stanhope. The wicket looked pristine and ready for a good day’s competition, as ever the Stanhope Show Field looked every inch a perfect venue for the beautiful game. The weather played its’ part with blue sky and cotton-wool clouds, the only downside was the blustery wind coming down Dale (West-to-East).

Opening the batting was Stanhope, with a team comprised of Saturday League players and Sunday Social players. Within the team were a couple of school players who were proud to walk out and play with their local team. E. “Rock” Rowell and F. “Gloves” Stephenson were first to face the bowling attack of Wolsingham; J. Ivil and J. Pal. After just three Overs it was first blood to the visitors as Pal let loose a delivery to remove Stephenson with the score on just 3. At number 3 was N. Page, not a player we have seen too much of this year, but after a few deliveries opened his shoulders and hit the first boundary of the day.

It wasn’t long before J. Wilkes had to get involved and stem the flow of runs. In his third over he claimed the second Stanhope wicket of Rowell by removing leg stump. This was closely followed in his fourth over by the wickets of G. Wright and N. Page in quick succession. It fell to batsmen 5 and 6 to steady the home teams Innings. C. Wearmouth in fine Flintoff mode was ably supported by A. Robinson. Between them they put on 109 runs, Wearmouth alone was responsible for 97 runs and remains Not Out. Wearmouth and Robinson displayed a good display of shot selection, defence and an awareness of when to take a quick single. Although the score was advancing, it was not all one way, the bowling of Wolsingham did test all the players, Wilkes went on to dominate the Wolsingham bowling attack taking 6 wickets for just 33 runs from 8 overs. R. Hanlon was able to make a mid Innings breakthrough by taking the wicket of Robinson, which left the way open for Wilkes to remove, very cheaply, the key wickets of Campbell and R. Pringle. Campbell was heard to say that he was removed by a ball that was unplayable!
At Tea Stanhope had set a score of 168 after the 40 Overs. A total tantalisingly set for a close game. With confidence the opening pair for Wolsingham of; M. Watson and Hanlon walked out to the wicket. The Stanhope bowling was opened by A. Robinson, supported by R. Pringle. These two bowlers were able to contain the early Wolsingham run chase, after 6 overs the Visitors were stuck on 4 runs, with the second delivery of the 7th over Robinson struck first by forcing N. Page to move in order to take a crucial catch to dismiss M. Watson.

Enter J. Ivil at number 3, both he and Hanlon are also Stanhope Saturday players and were looking forward to some good banter and rivalry. However, 3 balls later Ivil was caught outside his crease and Run Out to a fine throw by Robinson (off his own bowling) to remove middle stump, 8 runs for 3 wickets. Ten deliveries later Robinson struck again forcing a fine catch by Rowell to claim D. Jewell for a duck.

It appeared as if Wolsingham were one the verge of a collapse, a situation that J. Nelson, J. Wilkes and R. Cramb effectively rescued. These three steadied the Wolsingham Innings by taking the game to Stanhope in true 20 over cricket style. Coming out of their crease to hit out and punish any loose delivery. Adding 66 runs in quick succession the balance of the game shifted once more to become finely balanced. With a run rate that would make the result very difficult to call. Page and Campbell needed to maintain a line and length, as well as composure as runs were added.

Fortune favoured the home side with a couple of LBW successful LBW appeals, and some accurate spin bowling to remove the final three batsmen for a total of 9 runs. The end result was a victory to Stanhope by 35 runs.

Man of the Match was awarded to C. Wearmouth for a fine 97 not out, as well as taking a wicket from 8 overs. The other notable performance was from J. Wilkes with 17 runs and bowling figures any player would be proud, 6 wickets from 8 overs for just 33 runs.

Both teams would like to thank the Bonny Moorhen, Stanhope for being Match Ball Sponsor and for providing hospitality to both teams for the after game.

Umpires for the day; G. Poole and K. Armstrong.

A good afternoon was had by both teams and the final word must come from the Wolsingham Captain, "I would like to congratulate Stanhope on a well deserved victory, but please understand that The Ashes are only on Loan to them for 12-months."