By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:11, Monday, 23 July 2012

TYNEDALE captain Tom Cant displayed maturity beyond his tender years when he guided his side back to the top of the Wellstream League.

In Tyne’s 56 run success over Chopwell, the 21-year-old made his first century for the club at senior level with a remarkable unbeaten 110, before ripping through the opposing order with four wickets.

It was a good day all around for Tynedale as the victory – the first league win under Cant’s leadership – put them back in pole position as favourites Swalwell were rained off.

Tynedale won the toss and chose to bat first on a very wet and under prepared wicket at Chopwell Park.

The match-up saw Tyne number two John Meadows at his former stamping ground, up against Stephen Smith, facing his former teammates after leaving the club just weeks before the start of the 2012 season.

And it was Smith who came up trumps in the battle of the old boys, removing teenager Meadows for a duck as he was caught by James Kendall.

Following the early loss though, David Newton and Ben Archer rebuilt making their way to 39 and 14 respectively.

However, both were dismissed in quick succession, opener Newton judged lbw and Archer giving Andrew Smith a catch.

The innings was poised on a knife-edge but New Zealander Ross Laidlaw and Cant dug in deep, forging a solid 117 run partnership which was ended when the Kiwi was dismissed for 64.

With Rainford joining his skipper, Cant went on the attack and hit the returning Glenn Caygill for an astonishing 45 from his remaining two overs. This included 31, made up of five sixes, from the final one as he made his first 100 for Tynedale.

He went on to make 110 by the time the 50 overs ran out, facing just 99 balls while making his 50 from an incredibly low 18 balls.

Tyne finished on a formidable 250-5 but knew Chopwell had a strong top five to cause problems despite the hosts missing a few regulars.

Chopwell started well with Anthony Hornby attacking the bowlers, helping to take his side to a comfortable 87 without loss. But in stepped the on fire Cant, and wickets started falling as he and Laidlaw ripped into the batting attack with the dangerous Hornby and professional Anoop Pai victims of Cant’s bowling.

Richard Darling replaced Laidlaw and he got in on the act almost immediately, removing Stephen Smith to more or less end the game for Chopwell.

Cant finished with the figures of 4-45, Darling 4-39 and Laidlaw 2-42 as Chopwell ended all out on 194.

Tomorrow it is top versus bottom as Tynedale welcome basement boys Leadgate to Priors Flat for a 1.30pm start.

l Dorian Hiles emulated the success of his first team captain for Tynedale II as they defeated Chopwell’s second string by a whopping 154 runs.

Hiles made 130, including 26 fours, with the bat, while claiming three wickets with the ball to round off a fruitful day.

Will Dagg chipped in with 41 to see Tyne to 244, a total well out of reach of Chopwell who fell for just 90, 12-year-old Euan Stephenson shining with a staggering 4-7.

l Unbeaten Tynedale U11 booked their place in the cup final following victory over Alnmouth and Lesbury in the semis. This was backed up with a 100 run success in the league over Percy Main.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk