Struggling Corbridge search for elusive win

By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:05, Monday, 02 July 2012

CORBRIDGE are in real danger of getting caught adrift of the rest of the Northumberland Cricket League Premier Division even at this early stage.

Little success: Tristram Douglas was one of only three Corbridge batsmen to reach double figures.

Rock bottom with just 10 points, the Tyne Valley club are 37 points off second bottom Blue Flames and remain in the hunt for their first win of the season.

A 24-run defeat at the hands of Bedlington was their sixth this campaign, and hard work needs to be done to ensure they don’t slip down to Division One.

Andrew Dover (2-11) claimed two Bedlington wickets, but the visitors managed to post 157 from their 50 overs.

Corbridge looked to be making inroads to his total, with Dover (29) and David Smurthwaite (48) performing well at the crease.

However, their efforts could not be matched by their teammates with Tristram Douglas (11) the only other in the batting order to reach double figures.

Stocksfield’s season is also yet to really get up and running as they went down by two wickets to Alnmouth and Lesbury.

Opener Alex Brown put them in a commanding position as his 85 runs got the ball rolling for his side in fine fashion.

But his teammates failed to deliver and only Steven Henderson (20) and Paul Watson (16no) reached double figures as Stocksfield posted 172.

It was a close run affair and youngster Gareth Wade took the challenge to Alnmouth, claiming five wickets for 48 runs.

Alex Brown (2-33) and Emmerson Brown (1-50) also got in on the act but it was Alnmouth’s day as they crossed the finishing line with two wickets in hand.

In Division One, Kirkley remain in the promotion places despite losing the top of the table clash with rivals Clara Vale. It was comfortable in the end for leaders Clara as they ended up as victors by 81 runs.

They posted 202 runs in their innings despite top bowling from Craig Johnson (4-46) and Will Asher (3-12).

Mick Nicholson’s 37 in reply for Kirkley saw them threaten, but they fell for 121 with Atkinson on 22 the next highest scorer.

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