Firsts start well

NEW BOYS EXCEL AS CRICKET RETURNS TO TYNEMOUTH
Tynemouth 202/9 Dec ( 15 points) drew with Whitburn 107/9 ( 7 points).
Match report by Vince Howe

Tynemouth began the 19 th season of the North East Premier League at home to Whitburn on Saturday and despite dominating the game for long periods and playing some fine cricket ended up being frustrated by a determined Whitburn side who hung on for a draw.

Whitburn captain Ross Carty won the toss on a cool yet sunny day at Preston Avenue and decided to have a bowl first . This looked a good decision almost immediately as Craig Smith got one through the defences of Nick Armstrong , lbw for 0.
This brought debutant Mike Jones to the crease to join his skipper Ben Debnam . Smith and fellow opening bowler Kieran Waterson both asked questions of the Tynemouth pair bowling good lines and lengths and extracting some sideways movement from the wicket.
However both were resolute in defence and began to grow in confidence as the scoreboard slowly but surely moved forward.
Debnam was happy to play the anchor role whilst Jones began to flourish with shots all round the wicket and off front and back foot. He stands tall at the crease and like all quality players has that bit of time . He has an elegance about him at the crease coupled with a steely determination to make runs. Reminded this correspondent of a young James Vince or a right handed Keaton Jennings. Only 19 and already on Durham CCCs books this is a player to watch in the future . For now enjoy him playing for Tynemouth!
The partnership went past a hundred and when Debnam was bowled for 40 by the returning Waterson the home side had moved on to 127/2 and looked in control.
Jones continued on his merry way and received a great ovation for a fine knock after he was adjudged lbw for a fine 120.
The quality Whitburn seam attack plugged away and got their rewards late in the innings as Waterson 5/45 and Smith 4/25 were the pick as the Tynemouth middle and late order stuttered towards a declaration at 202/9.
Australian Jackson Edmondston and Lee Henderson opened up for Whitburn and began with one or two fine drives down the ground giving the away team hope. However the ever dependable David Hymers removed both in quick succession to leave the visitors troubled at 25/2. Chris McBride and Phil Bell took the score to 59 at which point Debnam turned to new Club Professional and Scottish International , Mark Watt. Watt immediately looked at home and took the wicket of Bell in his first over to end any thoughts of a win for the away side. Whilst the seamers toiled away from the Rugby stand end of the ground , Watt began to exert real pressure from the Golf Course end eventually finishing with the remarkable figures of 6/9 from his 15 overs. A nagging line and length , coupled with variations of pace and a hint of turn were the hallmarks of a fine first bowl for the Club and bodes well for the season ahead. A tall, slow left arm bowler reminiscent of Ashley Giles looks set now to make his mark (!) on the League.
However despite the excellence of Watt and the graft of the medium pacers the home side were unable to dislodge the Whitburn tail and Ben Markham in particular. His 25 not out was a fine effort and at the close he secured a losing draw for his team by playing out the final over of the day and frustrating the home players and supporters.