Stanhope v's Coxhoe

The aim of this year as far as Stanhope C.C. is concerned is very simple – to stay up in the First Division of the North East Durham League.  Given how far the Club has come in a little over two years it should be a goal that is achievable.  But, and it is a big BUT, the players must start to raise their game.  Winning in this league is always going to be difficult, so at every opportunity bonus points are going to be required.  For every 2 wickets taken the team can earn a point, and then there is a bonus point for reaching 75 runs and for every 25 runs thereafter another bonus point is on offer.

That said, when they have a chance of winning a game, they must take it!  The game against fell strugglers Coxhoe is a case in point.  Due to a rain affected weekend previously Coxhoe stretched their lead over Stanhope from a single point to 6.  A win against Coxhoe would place Stanhope second from bottom and go along way to catching Newton Aycliffe, who lost last weekend, and helping Stanhope to climb into the lower order of the middle of the table (I think you know what I mean).

With the weather remaining stable and the wicket dry and flat the scene was set for a good afternoon of cricket at Unthank Park.  Stanhope batted first and it wasn’t long before Stanhope were feeling under pressure.  R. Young and E. Rowell were dismissed cheaply, to the bowling Anthony and Adam McDonald, for a total of 3 runs.  It took Steve Muse to steady the ship with at long last a meaningful Innings of 42.  The only other batsmen to add to the total in any significant amounts were, S. Campbell for 10 runs and R. Pringle for 20 runs.  As for the other batsmen well they all managed to score runs but nobody broke the 10 run barrier.

After 43 or so overs Stanhope were all out for 131 runs and it looked like once again the bowlers were going to have to save the day.  Before anything else it must be pointed out that the Junior Players of C. Morse, D. Bates and A. Kitching once again put on a good dogged determined resistance at the tail, putting on a brave 17 runs.  On  a batting surface that should have produced a bigger score the team needed to focus and not dwell on what might have been.

With a cloudless sky and everything to play for I wish I could report some better news.  The bowlers did manage to pick up some bonus points but they were very lucky.  Coxhoe won the match by 7 wickets, Pringle, Adamson and Campbell took a wicket a piece but for 89 runs - too expensive by far.

This hard defeat firmly anchors Stanhope at the foot of the league table, and the players need to review matters quickly.  Yes we have seen matches turn on a single innings by a player, but the arrival of C. Wearmouth soon should be seen as icing on the cake, not a ticket to salvation.  The Stanhope batting has always been seen as our weakest part of our game, and the recognised batsmen need to step up to the crease and look at their respective contributions.  They are capable of so much more, but with small totals it appears as if they simply have not had enough batting practise.  The new nets at Unthank Park currently look very deserted. 

So to end this report, let me ask for batsmen in the Dale who want to make an impact.  Should you wish to help your local team recover and build a platform to be proud of then please contact me, Jim Cubitt; 01388 526710.  Or simply turn up at Unthank Park on Tuesday evening from 17:30hrs for batting and bowling in the new nets.  You never know, by the weekend you could be playing for the team in a league match, and if you want, after two games be a central player in our Cup games.  Remember as well that very soon Stanhope will be defending the Weardale Ashes against arched foe Wolsingham.  So come on lets rally the team and hold our heads high, it’s not only a game its local pride as well.