Last
update: Friday 18 May 2012
13:18 BST
Chester-le-Street Match Programme
Tomorrow's match programme is now available to download by clicking on the above image.
C Division Wash-Out Again . . .
The C Division third eleven were once again washed-out last night (17 May) as persistent drizzle caused the cancellation of scheduled game against Morpeth. So far they have only managed to play one game out of five!
Charity Exit
The first eleven's quest to complete a hat-trick of Tyneside Charity Bowl's came unstuck at the first hurdle last night (16 May) as they slipped to a five run defeat at the hands of Tynedale.
The Hexham side batted first and were bowled out for 93 in the 19th over. The Hill's reply never seemed to gain the impetus required to get over the finishing line and they subsequently closed on 88 for 7.
Team Selections
Team Selections covering the period from Wednesday 16 May to Sunday 20 May can be found here.
James Bell Memorial Cup
The second eleven progressed to the second round of the James Bell Memorial Cup last night (Monday 14 May) when they beat Whitburn by 84 runs. Batting first the Hill scored 139 for 7 in 20 overs. In reply Whitburn were restricted to 55 for 8. The reward for the second eleven is a trip to either Willington or Whickham.
Sunday Round Up
After three attempts to play their ECB Kingfisher Cup tie at Sunderland the first eleven exited this year's national competition following a sudden death bowl-out.
At Denton Bank the NEPL third eleven got their season underway with a comfortable five wicket win over Chester-le-Street. The visitors were bowled out for 108, three wickets each for Will Chamberlain and Liam Sweeney. The Hill reached their target with half their overs allocation in hand largely due to the experience of David Haxon (39 not out).
Saturday Round Up
The first eleven came away from South Northumberland yesterday (12 May) with a creditable draw. Set 230 to win in 52 overs the Hill closed at 181 for 5, skipper Ali Maiden top scoring with 56. Earlier in the day the reigning champions had declared at 229 for 5 with former Hill batsman Jimmy Miller scoring 102 not out. Harry Munton was the pick of the Hill bowlers with 3 for 37.
The second eleven's game against South Northumberland was cancelled due to a waterlogged Denton Bank.
The third eleven had an emphatic six wicket victory over current champions Haydon Bridge in the only game played in the West Tyne League. Put in on a damp wicket the hosts were bowled out for only 57 inside 33 overs. Paul Askell followed up last week's fine performance in the second eleven with 6 for 25. In reply the early loss of skipper Dan Hunter only made the Hill batsmen more resolute, and despite a rain break 14 runs short of their target, the Hill claimed victory in the 31st over.
The weekend starts here . . !
The heavy and unremitting rain of Wednesday and Thursday looks increasingly likely to have an adverse affect on this weekend's cricket programme.
The C Division third eleven had yet another game cancelled on Thursday (10 May) and tomorrow's (Saturday 12 May) scheduled second eleven fixture against South Northumberland at Denton Bank looks in danger of going the same way. The West Tyne third eleven will no doubt wait until tomorrow morning to find out from Haydon Bridge as to whether their game goes ahead. However, the first eleven who visit reigning champions South Northumberland, may benefit from Roseworth Terraces' extensive ground covering in allowing play to go ahead at Gosforth as scheduled.
Hopefully an improved forecast for Saturday and Sunday (12 and 13 May) will allow play in the first eleven cup game at Sunderland and also the third eleven game at Denton Bank, together with Monday evening's (14 May) cup tie involving the second eleven.
Amongst all this gloom and doom it is perhaps an opportune moment to announce the club's single wicket competition for the Bartram Trophy will take place on Tuesday 5 June. More information will be available very soon.
Two's show the way
The inclement start to the cricket season finally relented on Saturday (5 May) as all three matches involving Benwell Hill sides were played to a finish.
The first eleven went down by four wickets at home to South Shields. The visitors won the toss and put the Hill in on a damp wicket underneath leaden skies. Batting wasn't easy and only Nick Jones (37) seemed to make light of the difficult conditions. The Hill were eventually bowled out for 119. Early strikes in the South Shields innings allowed the Hill to chip away at the visitors batting, but a 118 ball 49 from Durham's Gordon Muchall enabled Shields to claim the spoils.
The second eleven claimed the only win of the day for the Hill at South Shields. Batting first the Hill posted 250 for 5 declared.
16-year-old Ben Mussett hit 83 at the top of the innings and was given good support from John Chambers (59) and David Ladd (43). The visitors reply got off to a steady start but the Hill's bowlers soon got to work as the home side were bowled out for 184. Paul Askell the pick of the Hill bowlers returning excellent figures of 3 for 35 off 11 overs.
The third eleven lost by six wickets to Hexham Leazes.
Sunday's scheduled Kingfisher Cup tie against Sunderland was postponed and will now be played this Sunday (13 May).
Matchday Programme
You can now download the matchday programme for tomorrow's game (5 May) against South Shields by simply clicking on the above image.
Finally . . . It's stopped raining!
Despite the loss of the second and third team games to the weather on Saturday (28 April) the first eleven finally got the 2012 season underway at Stockton.
Winning the toss the Hill put the hosts in on a damp wicket and were rewarded early in the Stockton innings as debutante Harry Munton claimed the first two wickets. Stockton were grateful to the returning Richard Waite for his contribution of 59 in an all out total of 124. Zohaib Khan, back for a fourth year at the Hill claimed 5 for 30. In reply the Hill lost Dan Young and Ramanpreet Singh in consecutive balls with the score at 32. Zohaib Khan (30) and Phil Nicholson (17) moved the score to 79 for 3 but a mini batting collapse left the Hill hanging on for a draw at 106 for 9 at the close.
Sunday's games involving the first eleven at Sunderland and the third eleven at Denton Bank were victims of the recent rain. The first eleven will now play the rescheduled Kingfisher Cup game next Sunday (6 May).
And still it rains . . .
The 2012 cricket season is still very much on hold.
Rain all day Thursday caused the cancellation of this evening's Northumberland C Division game at the Hill against South Northumberland.
The outlook remains bleak as more heavy rain is forecast over the coming weekend and the early part of next week!
The growing Richmond Family!
News from over the pond as former Hill cricketer Gavin Richmond is pictured here with the rest of his happy family as they celebrate the newest addition to the Richmond clan.
Laney Lilley Richmond, born on 17 April and weighing in at
8lb 3oz is pictured here with proud parents and doting brothers.
Gavin said: "The boys totally love her and argue over who can hold her. She is pretty cute . . . for a lass!"
Congratulations from everyone at the Hill.
Opening day washout
As with Thursday's C Division game all of the weekend's scheduled games were abandoned without a ball being bowled, and with an eye on the weather forecast for the coming week the possibility of any cricket looks somewhat remote at this stage.
Junior Practice
A reminder to all Junior Members that the first outdoor Junior Practice Session commences on Tuesday 24 April at the following times:
Under 11s 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Under 13s 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm
Under 15s 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
All Juniors are welcome including newcomers.
Smithson Northumberland County Cup 2012
The draw for the Smithson Northumberland County Cup can be found here. The Hill have been drawn away to local rivals Benwell & Walbottle in the first round.
Matchball Sponsorship
As the new season is now less than two weeks away we are once again inviting members, their friends or the companies they work for the opportunity to sponsor the matchball for first or second eleven games at the Hill.
£25, or more if you so wish, will see your name not only on the main sponsor board but also on this website and in the matchday programme.
Anyone interested should contact Phil Nicholson.
Name change update!
It would seem that news travels far and wide regarding the overnight news at Denton Bank!
Pre-Season Friendlies
With the new season less than three weeks away the first eleven have three pre-season games planned. They are:
Saturday 14th April v Morpeth (h) 1.30pm start
Sunday 15th April v Annfield Plain (a) 1.30pm start
Thursday 19th April v Ponteland (h) 5.45pm (20/20)
Name Change Shock!
Benwell Hill Cricket Club members are this morning coming to terms with the shock announcement that the club has had an overnight change of name.
Following an agreement with a local businessman the club will now be know as the "Sports Direct Cricket Club". Our picture above shows the new signage at the main entrance on the West Road.
No official spokesman was available, but an insider offered this: "The club committee has seen an opportunity in the market which was too good to turn down", he said. "The club needs to maximise its potential to the full and clearly projects such as the refurbishment of the clubhouse, the continuing job of maintaining the excellent practice facilities and the committee's proposed fact finding tour of the Caribbean in September needs this sort of funding.
We understand the current deal will last one year and will be re-negotiated on 1 April 2013. |
      
 
New players and
new members welcome
New players - junior and senior - are always welcome at Benwell Hill Cricket Club.
The Club caters for cricketers of all abilities from Minor Counties standard to recreational level - if you are keen enough you will find a team to fit your standard.
During the season club practice takes place on Wednesday evenings from 6.00 pm and new players are most welcome to come along and try-out before committing to joining the club. The fee for senior players in 2012 is £65, £42 for 18 - under 21s and for juniors it is £32 - for that sum you get full access to the club and its social and playing facilities for the year.
For those who simply wish to watch the cricket and enjoy a pint whilst doing so, we offer social membership at £20 per annum. | 
