Shiledsmen face tough double-header
THE Bank Holiday weekend presents South Shields with two tough away fixtures against the teams that they are sandwiched between in the NEPL table – Benwell Hill and Blaydon.
The Sapphire Engineering-sponsored side's inconsistency during the second half of the season in comparison with this weekend's opponents' form leaves them with a battle to protect their fourth position before they can consider a late push for third spot.
However, Hill have suffered poor defeats in their last two completed matches.
They looked to be in a great position to take maximum points off Durham Academy as they reached 163-5 with several overs in hand.
The loss of David Rutherford (27) and Glenn Robertson (0) still left the Hill in pole position with only two runs off the final over required with three wickets remaining.
In an incredible final over Martin Fearon took three wickets in five balls while bowling a triple-wicket maiden to win the game.
Confidence bashed, the last thing Hill needed was a trip to the Bullring for a nine-wicket walloping by South Northumberland.
The wounds inflicted by Shields in the reverse fixture in June still smart. Hill were routed by 144 runs, succumbing to a rampant Matty Muchall, who took 5-14 as the Denton Bank side recorded their lowest-ever NEPL total – 56 all out.
The odd trouncing aside, Hill have acquitted themselves well this season.
Potential match-winners Ali Maiden and Phil Nicholson are in form at the top of the order, while a middle comprising Richard Coughtrie and Zohaib Khan necessitate that the bowlers maintain pressure throughout.
In the lower order, Graeme Race's dangerous clobbering lurks amongst a vulnerable tail.
Their opening bowler David Rutherford leads the NEPL wicket-takers (42), and has recently agreed to extend his player-coach contract into 2010.
Matty Muchall is in the chasing group of three bowlers on 34 wickets.
Paul Muchall and Danny Shurben have accumulated 1,117 NEPL runs for the Wood Terrace outfit this season, and are vital to their side's cause.
Rhys May's 180 runs at 60 since arriving as Adam Coyte's replacement, and Chris Dorothy's good form of late gives Shields a more solid look at the top of the order.
Their fortitude will be severely tested at Denefield on Monday by a Blaydon attack that boasts three of the top seven NEPL wicket-takers this season.
Craig Knox, Graeme Bridge and Martin Pollard have a combined total of 97 victims.
Knox has also hit 623 runs at an average of 78, and Mark Stoneman 411 at 58, despite the latter's restricted availability due to his inclusion in Durham's County Championship line-ups.
The Wood Terrace side's task will be made even more difficult if Stoneman's shaky first-class form leads to omission from Tuesday's squad to face Somerset, as a consequence he would be free to play for Blaydon.
Oliver Stedman is likely to be available for both matches and Mike Fishwick for the Blaydon match.
The second team's performances last weekend were a microcosm of their season.
Poor shot-selection blighted their prospects of victory at Tynemouth, while 24 hours later a disciplined effort in the field was followed by a swashbuckling 85 from Michael Dunn.
A superb season-long unbeaten run in 20-over cricket has lifted confidence and carried several players into their best form of the season.
Anth Marshall's side will be determined to end the season with a string of wins, as they aim to bring silverware back to Wood Terrace and propel themselves into the top half of the NEPL table.
They have already earned a place in the final of the Tom Blair Cup on Sunday, September 6, at Tudhoe CC where they will face either Ryhope or Blackhall (2pm start).
* On Sunday the Under-15 side travels to South Hetton for the Durham Youth Cricket Board Division Three final (5pm start).
Supporters can keep up to date with the glut of cup fixtures, and view results and scorecards, by visiting the club website southshields.play-cricket.com
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
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