Stanhope vs. Hunwick

You may recall last Saturday started off as cold and wet, almost a winter’s day. So it was a credit to the Grounds-man, Rocky Rowell, that we even managed to play. Across the NEDL only a few games were played at all. Unthank Park always drains well and with the covers purchased last season it means that Stanhope are able to play on days when it is least expected.

You will notice that this report is shorter than usual, largely as there is not that much to report. Stanhope batted first, and after an early upset for R. Young, it took S. Muse to steady the ship together with K. Evans. These two laid the foundation of the Stanhope Innings and all was proceeding smoothly until Muse was unable to contain himself. It needs to be said that he certainly rode his luck, early in his Innings he edged a catch to the Slips, only to be dropped. This was done on at least one other occasion as well as a very close call for a caught behind that sounded as if it could have come of glove, pad or bat.

Anyway, you make your luck in this game and Muse went on to score 27 runs before becoming the third victim of T. Little when he was caught on the boundary. Steve Muse’s score turned out to be the highest of the Stanhope Innings by a good margin. All hopes rested on C. Wearmouth and he did not disappoint, for a while. Wearmouth launched the ball like a satellite over the railway line for six as well as hitting the barn at the River Wear end earlier in his Innings. I guess Wearmouth could be forgiven for getting out after scoring just 17 runs but he did see a number of potential batting partners come and go with alarming speed. Pride and passion would have meant he took the world on his shoulders and tried to single handedly build a respectable total.

At drinks after 23 Overs, whilst not comfortable we were not expecting a collapse, but we were wrong. T. Little was bowling with devastating form, ultimately taking 7 wickets for just 33 runs off 10.3 overs. Stanhope were bowled out for 84 runs after 33.3 overs. Only Evans, Muse and Wearmouth were able to offer any real resistance with the remaining batsmen struggling to get above 4 runs. Still the Duck Trophy is looking interesting!!

Hunwick were able to overhaul the Stanhope score with relative ease, taking just 22.4 overs. The only wicket to fall was that of W. Fleming for 18 runs before seeing his leg stump up-rooted by a particularly fierce delivery by Wearmouth. At close Hunwick won by 9 wickets, with P. Alderson Not Out on 24 and A. Proud Snr. Not Out 33.

You could be forgiven to thinking that the local White Knights are not trying hard enough. But lets think for a bit! Whilst it is hard to maintain a positive attitude when all around is falling apart, the Stanhope Players are very much a victim of their own success. If you could turn back the clock to the start of last season, there was never the expectation of topping the Second Division. Just stay up was the prayer and aim. The jump from second division the first division cricket within the NEDL is tangible. Many teams have hovered between the leagues, as they build a team to secure a long standing place at the top table. Stanhope is just going through that process, gaining valuable experience in all aspects of the game which should go along way to ensuring, at some point, a more secure footing in the First Division.