Royal London ECB under 15 County Cup
Cumbria v Scotland at Netherfield CC on 12th July 2017 [Scorecard]
On a beautiful sunny day Cumbria won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket offering a bit to the bowling with the odd ball sticking in the surface. The innings didn’t really get going and progress wasn’t helped by two chaotic run outs. The Scottish bowling gave little away although it has to be said that not all loose deliveries were punished by the hosts. The wickets were shared with Freddie Peet (2 for 20), David Hood (2 for 23), & Lewis Robinson (2 for 27) acquiring the lions share.
The Scots, in reply, got into a bit of trouble at 49 for 3 but then two decisive partnerships sealed the win. Sam Elstone (61 not out) shared a 48 run partnership with Sohaib Shah and then an unbroken one of 41 with Asad Khan, which took the visitors home. It was a very mature knock from Sam whose shat selection under pressure was spot on.
Tom Wheatley was the pick of the Cumbria bowling with 2 for 15. The hosts bowlers bowled well to their fields and it is a testament to the middle order that they were able to take the side to the target with few alarms.
Northumberland v Scotland at Alnmouth & Lesbury CC on Thursday 13th July 2017 [Scorecard]
Scotland won their first toss of the season but lost their first game. They elected to bat in batter friendly conditions but accurate bowling by the hosts restricted the Scots to 153 all out on the final ball of the fiftieth over. Four batsmen scored in the teens but were unable to go on to dominate. Only a watchful 36 from Sohaib Shah registered a decent return.
Northumberland gave nothing away with Doneathy looking penetrative first up and his opening partner Fletcher recording figures of 4 for 30. The visitors will be disappointed that they didn’t exert more pressure on the fielding side and 153 looked to be, in the conditions a few runs light.
Northumberland reply started brightly and they motored to 54 for the first wicket. On the dismissal of Doneathy, stumped by Macintosh off the reliable Charlie Peet, however a lack of ambition afflicted the batting side who found the accurate bowling of Scotland’s spinners taxing.
The screw was turned by Peet 3 for 20, Robertson 3 for 30 and Rafay Khan, 1 for 15 from only 9 overs, leaving the hosts on 125 for 8 needing a further 28 runs to win. Wicketkeeper Ward then took the attack to the Scots and bravely took his side home with an enterprising 29 not out.
