Scorecard

Backworth v Consett & District Cricket Club Consett CC 3rd XI on Sun 29 Jun 2014 at 1:45
Consett & District Cricket Club Lost by 1 wicket

Match report A second away game in succession saw Consett make the trip to Backworth for this rearranged league game. A much changed side from last weeks defeat at Lintz mainly due to unavailability as well as injury saw the team maybe a little light in the batting department. So this was to prove.

Captain Cox called incorrectly and Backworth (possibly mindful of our woeful form so far) asked Consett to bat first. The batting order is generally a headache but this week was even more difficult than usual. However some sensible folk managed to suggest themselves for reasonable positions thus making the task a little easier. Regular opener Bainbridge was to open with the younger of the Bradley brothers for what is now the fifth opening combination of the season. They were to set Consett off to an electrifying start however. Unfortunately it started to resemble the efforts at Lintz as after a few lusty blows Bainbridge was bowled for 17 leaving Consett 34-1 after only 4 overs. Remmer came and went having made only 4 after he too was bowled with the score on 42. Then despite a run of 3 consecutive boundaries Bradley Jr was caught and bowled via leading edge having made 17. The score now a perilous 44/3 after 7 overs. Wilkinson who was on the back of an excellent 70 the previous day was joined by Captain Cox in the hope of rebuilding but this wasn't to be the case as Cox swung wildly at a short and wide one to be caught at cover having made only 4 with the score now 58/4 after 9. If only the good run rate could be complimented by the loss of less wickets....

Grant joined Wilkinson and they at least managed to restore some form of order as they added 36 before Wilkinson played all round a (very slow) straight one having made a rapid 31 featuring his usual trademark cuts and pulls and taken his weekend tally to 101. From here things unfortunately started to decline again as a slightly longer than usual tail failed to cope with the change bowlers of Backworth. Marshall was next to go for 7 after taking the score past 100, clean bowled by one he claims cut back a mile... And then things only got worse as Kerswell was dismissed first ball citing the same excuse heard from Marshall. Grant followed in the next over having made a pleasingly patient 11 as he was also bowled trying to take over the run scoring mantle. Cox Jr survived long enough to make sure that Bradley Sr would be taking his first ball on the hat-trick ball of Crow and produced a solid defensive shot to deny the bowler. Cox didn't last long before succumbing to his usual form of dismissal by using his legs to keep the ball away from the stumps having made 5 and then Bradley was last man out attempting a drive with only last man Miller for company. The total, 121.. The enormous and frustrating issue, only 23.3 overs batted leaving 129 deliveries unused. Scandalous and something that needs to be rectified ASAP if last years second division champions are ever to record their first win of the season...


As ever tea was enjoyed in the pavillion which is most picturesque and according to Simon resembles a castle, each to their own. The captain was quietly confident that early wickets and a determined effort in the field could seal a victory with the bowling attack available, something his team mates initially did not see as a realistic option.

Miller alongside Cox Jr, fresh from his first wickets of the season the previous day would share the new (yes we finally used a new one) ball. Usual instructions of bowl straight, back the bowlers and fielders etc were issued and Consett were on their way. Both opening bowlers stuck to their task and bowled a nagging line and length, Miller full and swinging nicely and Cox just back of a length keeping the batsmen honest. The experienced Carr looked content to be patient having initially been lucky to only just clear mid-off with a drive from his first delivery faced. Race however spent 6 overs playing the kind of strokes to be found at the end of an innings in the IPL, thankfully the only thing he connected with was fresh air until eventually Miller managed to sneak one through and disturb the furniture with the score on 19. The very next over Cox followed suit and pitched one up which swung back in late and took the off stump of Carr making it 21/2. Finally a few of the doubters started to wonder.. Home captain Robson came to the crease and announced his intentions with a couple of stylish drives before losing his new partner Foster who managed to drag on another full swinging delivery from Miller, 37/3 now the score. Not much later the big wicket of Robson was to follow, he worked one off his hip from Cox but was unable to keep it down and Wilkinson took a smart catch running behind square on the leg side. 45/4...

Miller was replaced by Bradley Jr's leg breaks at this point after Miller's impressive opening burst of 6-0-26-2. Two experienced men at the crease for Backworth could hopefully be tempted by the flight and so it proved as Bradley struck with only his second delivery, Fairbairn driving uppishly to Kerswell at mid-off who performed a circus act before finally clutched the ball to his chest whilst lying on his back. The score now 45/5 and Consett firmly believed! Things got even better when the pressure got to new batsman Mooney as he set off for a single that was never there and took on Consett's best fielder Wilkinson who hit direct with only one stump to aim at from point. The score now 46/6 and surely the game was Consett's to lose?

Hull-Denholme was now joined by Crow who had earlier taken 3 wickets and the pair adopted a cautious approach in adding 32 precious runs before Hull-Denholme had a rush of blood and chipped Kerswell into the grateful hands of Cox Jr at mid-on, game still on at 78/7. Wiseman survived the over. Crow added a boundary in the next over before Kerswell returned to claim has second as Wiseman played on to a well flighted delivery with the score 82/8. Carr survived the over. The field was spread to get Crow off strike and Carr was surrounded, Bardley got one to turn and bounce which Carr popped straight into the grateful hands of Bainbridge at short leg. Only one more wicket to go for Consett and still 39 needed for Backworth. Veitch survived the rest of the over despite having 6 close catchers for company, showing the kind of defensive skills required for a game of one hand, one bounce..

Crow took it upon himself to attack where possible despite a spread field and worked hard to maintain the strike with Veitch still showing resolute defence despite being surrounded for over after over. The runs continued to tick down as the score passed 100 and Consett started to become a little anxious. Bradley finished his spell with 9-1-32-2 and was replaced by Wilkinson who instantly settled into a nagging line and length but still no chances. As the scores grew ever closer a last throw of the dice as Remmer replaced Kerswell (7-2-16-2) just to offer something different and he produced a testing few overs. The fielders were now all in position to save one as runs were at a premium. Wilkinson started his fourth over with Backworth on 118 and Consett still just one wicket away, the patience of Crow had paid off however as a full toss was despatched to the boundary from the second delivery and taking the home side to victory. How, why, where immediately came to mind. Consett had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Crow had finished with a commendable 48 not out to go with his earlier 5-3-13-3 and a well deserved MoM status and not to forget last man Veitch who had helped scamper all those runs and even managed to bag himself 11 not out in the process. An incredible effort by the final pair but also a valuable lesson handed out in showing what was possible with patience and application. Consett had at least ran the home side incredibly close and made them bat 36.2 overs in the process having shown a great effort in the field. Again much to be positive about but still not quite the end result achieved. Try again next week when Cosnett return to Blackfyne with Burnmoor the visitors on this occasion in their quest to finally get that first win on the board otherwise relegation could soon become a certain reality. More hard work like that shown in the warm ups and team spirit on the day and we might just manage it, and don't forget the first team are supposed to be coming to watch next week so let's put on a good show!!!

Consett & District Cricket Club Consett CC 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 5w 11b 1lb 
for 10 wickets
18
121		        
90 - Jamie Bradley ct + b D Carr 17 3
Chris Bainbridge b D Carr 17 3 1
Andrew Remmer b J Veitch 4
00 - Simon Wilkinson lbw G Fairbairn 30 4 1 1
48 - Ian Cox ct Unknown b J Veitch 4
Harry Grant b D Crow 11 2
17 - Jack Marshall b D Crow 7 1
Matthew Kerswell b D Crow 0 1
Jonny Bradley ct Unknown b C Race 7 1
Andrew Cox lbw G Fairbairn 5 1 1
Lewis Miller Not Out  0

Backworth Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
J Veitch7.0038219.005.43
D Carr7.0033216.504.71
D Crow5.031334.332.60
G Fairbairn5.011527.503.00
C Race1.30616.004.00

Backworth Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 7w 2b 2lb 
for 9 wickets
12
122 (36.2 overs)		     
A Carr b A Cox 13
C Race b L Miller 5
P Robson ct S Wilkinson b A Cox 12 2
B Foster b L Miller 3
G Fairbairn ct M Kerswell b Jamie Bradley 8 2
D Hull-Denholme ct A Cox b M Kerswell 11 1
A Mooney run out S Wilkinson 0
D Crow Not Out  48 6
D Wiseman b M Kerswell 0
D Carr ct C Bainbridge b Jamie Bradley 0
J Veitch Not Out  11

Consett & District Cricket Club Consett CC 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Lewis Miller6.0026213.004.33
Andrew Cox9.0127213.503.00
90 - Jamie Bradley9.0132216.003.56
Matthew Kerswell7.021628.002.29
00 - Simon Wilkinson3.201200.003.60
Andrew Remmer2.00400.002.00

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