Sunday Game - 17/04 - Shireoaks - Home
They batted first, and thanks to a patient knock from P Jones (39), they posted a decent total of 112, bowled out in the final over. Aaron and Phil bowled particularly well, although everyone had a go. Rory had 'broken his finger', so I got saddled with the gloves, but took four catches, and conceded only three byes (dream on Bear, Rory etc.). We lost early wickets, and only Aaron (21) and Matt (26) made notable contributions in a disappointing 74 all out. We got 4 points though, so we were off to a start. - Nick Widdowson
Bassetlaw Game - 23/04 - Anston III - Home
Great start to Division 8. We posted 114-9 from 46 overs - the pitch was a nightmare. I managed to graft 51 from 40 overs, with help from Tolly (14) and Trevor (17), which gave us something to bowl at. Roger excelled with the ball, taking 6-19, and we comprehensively won by bowling them out for 69. Greg and Andy also bowled well, with a wicket each, but the damage was done. 20 points. Roll on Division 7. - Nick Widdowson
Bassetlaw Game - 30/04 - Mansfield II - Away
Unlucky to come away with nothing. Batted first on a generally good batting track, but no-one managed to get in, with only Andy (10) getting a score in a poor 40 all out. Gareth Weightman made his Blyth debut in a comeback after 25 years off cricket, with a spectacular 1 off his glove. He also learned that you don't charge down the track to a spin bowler and leave it. They knocked them off after 15 overs, only losing 1 wicket, but we are prepared for matches to come. - Nick Widdowson
Bassetlaw Game - 02/05 - Notts & Arnold IV - Away
A comeback for Matt Fudge. On and off for rain, we managed to keep them to 98-8 on a good track with Roger taking 4 and Jonny taking 3. We were at 18-5 after 8 overs, but we dug in, and Pete (37), was our mainstay for 40 overs, steadying the innings. A 50 partnership with Stuart (27 not out) moved the side ever closer, until we were 89-9. Stuart and Kev finished the job off, crossing the line with overthrows, and bringing 15 points back after a daytrip to South Notts on a bank-holiday Monday. - Nick Widdowson
Sunday Game - 07/05 - Butterley United - Home
We batted first against a very young Butterley side, and found life very easy on a track that doesn't usually offer much. The opening stand of Aaron and myself was broken on 143, of which I had scored 37. Aaron was then assisted by an ever patient Rory (28), as the milestones passed. His hundred brought up, just as Rory arrived at the crease. He walked off on 164, after 25 fours and 3 sixes, and the declaration came not long after, on 252-3 after 30 overs. We bowled, but interruptions came. Phil bowled outstandingly well early on, with personal best figures of 5-3, but they finished on 35-8, after over 2 hours off the field and, our dressing room filled with such songs as 'Charlie Had A Pigeon', 'Quartermaster Store' and 'Ballad Of The Crazy Moose'. 13 points was the result, along with an added musical touch to Blyth CC. -Nick Widdowson
Bassetlaw Game - 13/05 - Clay Cross Works - Home
Disappointment again. Only 50 on a shocker of a track. Our new arrivals at the club got the majority of the runs, with Murali (17), and Pradip (11 not out). With very little to bowl at, we got 2 wickets, but not enough for a point. Oh well. - Nick Widdowson
Sunday Game - 14/05 - Clowne Town - Home
A much calmer pitch than the day before, we managed a few more runs. Aaron started well with 20, including 2 huge sixes into the car park, before getting the old grass cutter. I had opened, and had had a few partners, before one stuck with me, in Tolly. We had played defensively, but I started trying a few aerial shots, which came off. 5 sixes came in no time, and I manged 8 fours. I kept up this play, and eventually fell on 96. We got 182 all out, which was easily enough on the track. Great bowling from Neil Conchie (5-9) was key to our success on the day, along with very tight fielding (yes, even you Bear, and you Michael). They were out eventually for 68, and we collected the full 20 points, which we had easily deserved. Keep it up!! - Nick Widdowson
