Tynemouth 2nd X1 find it tough going-again

Tynemouth 2nd X1 lost to Gateshead Fell on Saturday and once again some wayward bowling and missed chances proved costly. Skipper Graeme Hallam won the toss and elected to bowl first on a wet , green wicket offering assistance to the seamers. Although the Fell got off to a steady start with openers Gray and Scott, Tynemouth picked up two bonus wickets with a poor shot from Gary and a run out for Scott leaving the score 57 for 2. Unfortunately the next few overs saw some variable bowling and the Fell's Devenport and and Buell cashed in. Those two rapidly took the score to 124 before Richy Hay struck to remove Buell LBW for for 27. Tynemouths skipper Graeme Hallam decided to bowl seam for the first time in 10 years and both him and Hay started to slow the run rate down. Youngster Will Perry replaced Hay after he completed his 12 overs taking 2 wickets for 30 runs. Both Perry and Hallam bowled a consistent line and length with Hallam taking 2 for 43 and Perry 3 for 14. The home side finished on 193 all out from 50.5 overs.

Tynemouth's reply got off to a disastrous start losing Tony lion for no score but then a counter attack from Lineham and Piper started to steady the visitors nerves. Unfortunately Lineham started to get a little carried away and played one big shot too many and was caught for 23. Piper and McDine followed for 8 and 11 respectively. Hallam and Davison started to steady the ship before the deciding point in the game came when Hallam was judged caught behind for 15. It was left to Henry Malton to restore a hint of respectability to Tynemouth's score before he was last man out for 34, and Tynemouth were all out for 134.

Overall it was a tough day for the 2nds who were hampered without 3 of their regular bowlers but many positives were evident in the game which should give them encouragement as they take on Blaydon at Preston Avenue next Saturday 7th May.