Hebburn's title dreams become reality
HEBBURN comfortably chased down 207 to become Northumberland League Division Two Champions and win promotion on a memorable day for the club.
Opponents New Hartley batted first, and must have fancied their chances of posting a big score.
However, with so much at stake for Hebburn they tore into the top order with Mark Carmichael clean bowling Richie Marshall before Aidan Berry produced an in swinging yorker to dismiss the dangerous Slater.
Inspired by a large crowd, captain Lee Tatum then removed Hearn before Carmichael struck again to bowl Harrison to leave Hartley reeling on 53-4.
The visitors still had a determination about them, and the combination of Jo Loring and Kevin Hudspith put on over 100 as both batsmen passed 50.
Gary Taylor crucially broke the partnership to halt the visitors momentum when he removed Loring with a slower ball before Tatum got one to nip back to take out Hudspith's off stump.
Hartley still would of hoped for a late dash towards 250, but Nick Whitehead picked up two late wickets including the dangerous Wright who was brilliantly caught by Harry Graves.
Hartley finished on a competitive 207-8, but this target was certainly obtainable on a good batting track and was probably only a par total in the conditions.
In reply, Bob Tulip and GaryTaylor negotiated a testing early period before steadily building a reassuring partnership.
Tulip began to dominate the bowling as he clinically punished anything full or wide.
The pair went on to put on 93 for the first wicket before Tulip went for 62.
Another wicket quickly fell before Seb Acklaque joined Taylor at the crease with still over a 100 required.
Taylor was now looking comfortable, and he dislayed an excellent array of on drives and square cuts as he passed 50 in style.
Meanwhile, at the other end Acklaque calmly played himself in before unleashing some of the most destructive batting seen at Hebburn this season.
He punished anything short with full blooded pull shots that fizzed to the boundary while his straight driving left the field rooted to the spot as he dissected them at will.
Acklaque went on to register a fluent 59 not out as helped he Hebburn race over the finish line with seven overs to spare to win by a resounding eight wickets.
It was fitting that the winning runs were hit by the accomplished Taylor (69 not out), who had batted wisely to carry his bat.
The scenes as the final runs were hit were that of pure joy among the Hebburn players, who had made their league title dreams a reality on the final day of a pulsating season.
Captain Lee Tatum said: "Earlier this season we lost a cup final, but we've bounced back from that and claimed the biggest prize on offer by becoming league champions.
" Eleven players played today, but the whole squad have contributed to this memorable season."
Club chairman and all-rounder Aidan Berry added: "The players worked hard over the winter during nets and performed to a consistently high standard throughout the season.
"It was great to see plenty of people in the ground supporting the team today showing how Hebburn Cricket Club is now becoming a bigger part of the local community."
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
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Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
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