North East Premier League

 

COMBINED TABLE 2000-2009

Based on an average placing this is the combined table of the 14 teams to have played NEPL cricket.

 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Benwell Hill

7

2

1

9

5

4

5

6

11

4

Blaydon

5

3

7

6

3

10

4

3

5

2

Chester-le-Street

6

1

5

4

4

2

2

5

3

1

Durham CA

2

5

8

2

7

6

6

4

6

8

Gateshead Fell

8

11

6

12

9

3

8

9

9

7

Hetton Lyons

-

-

-

-

-

-

12

-

-

-

Newcastle

11

4

10

8

8

11

11

10

12

11

Norton

3

9

9

10

11

9

10

11

8

12

Philadelphia

-

-

4

7

12

12

-

-

-

-

South North

4

8

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

3

South Shields

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7

2

5

Stockton

9

7

11

3

6

5

9

12

7

9

Sunderland

1

6

3

5

2

7

7

2

4

6

Tynemouth

10

10

12

11

10

8

3

8

10

10

 

Position

Club

Years in NEPL

Average Placing

1

South North

10

2.30

2

Chester-le-Street

10

3.30

3

Sunderland

10

4.30

4

South Shields

3

4.66

5

Blaydon

10

4.80

6=

Benwell Hill

10

5.40

6=

Durham CA

10

5.40

8

Stockton

10

7.80

9

Gateshead Fell

10

8.20

10

Philadelphia

4

8.75

11=

Norton

10

9.20

11=

Tynemouth

10

9.20

13

Newcastle

10

9.60

14

Hetton Lyons

1

12

 

 

CLUB PROFESSIONALS

Year(s)

Professional

Major Team(s)

1907-26

GT Milne

Northumberland

1975

D Ferguson

Durham

1978-94

ME Younger

Northumberland

1995-6

CF Craven

Orange Free State

1997 & 2000

GM Gilder

Natal & South Africa A

1998

GS Katz

Natal B

2001-4

Shahid Nazir

Faisalabad, Habib Bank & Pakistan

2005

Taufeeq Umar

Lahore, Habib Bank & Pakistan

2006

Yasir Ali

Rawalpindi & Pakistan

2007

PT Collins

Barbados & West Indies

2008

R Frylinck

Kwa-Zulu Natal & Dolphins

2009-

Zohaib Khan

Peshwar

N.B. – There have also been two substitute Professionals.
2005 – Mohammed Farrukh (Karachi Blues)
2007 – Sulaman Qadir (Lahore).

 

MINOR COUNTIES PLAYERS

Bedfordshire
D Clarke
DNG Myers

Durham
WG Moffit

Lincolnshire
NJ Armstrong

Northumberland
P Atkinson#
S Allen
JP Barrett
L Baxter#
SJ Birtwisle
WG Brown
TJ Cant
DR Carr
JS Charleton#
PG Clark

HE Collins
PG Cormack#
NCD Craig
LJ Crozier#
PR Cummins
PW Currie
MAP Dale
SC Dunsford
HE Dyson
AC Evans
BR Evans
RW Forster
JT Hounsome
JH McKinnell
JL McKinnell#
AJ Maiden
JN Miller
GT Milne#
DNG Myers
EW Nicholls

PJ Nicholson#
ML Pollard
DJ Rutherford#
CH Saunders
RJ Sellers
WJ Smalley
KD Smith#
AS Thompson#
MJ Turner
J Wake
DJH Walder
J Ward
DG Weatherhead
WC Welton
M Whitfield
JB Windows#
ME Younger#

# - capped players

 

DURHAM CCC PLAYERS (2000-8)
From 2000 when the NEPL was formed Durham CCC players were allocated
to league clubs. Players who represented Benwell Hill are listed below:

Year(s)

Durham Player

2000

SM Ali

2001

None

2002

MA Gough

2003-4

P Mustard

2005

CD Thorp

2006

KJ Coetzer

2007

KJ Coetzer & WR Smith

2008

U Mahomed

Notes on above players:

Syed MUAZAM ALI
b. 23 October 1979 in Whipps Cross, Leytonstone, Essex
RHB, LBG.
Durham 2000
Benwell Hill 2000
BHCC Career
HS: 24 v Norton (h) 2000
6 Matches, 6 inns, 1 not out, 72 runs @ 14.40 & 2 cts.

Muazam Ali was The Hill’s first Durham contract player and unfortunately for both it was not a happy summer. A short top-order batsman brought to Durham from his native Essex on the recommendation of Graham Gooch, he struggled to adapt to the North-East and make runs in First-Class cricket.

Despite giving his best during his early performances for The Hill they eventually reflected his problems in First-Class cricket and by the end of the season, he cut a disillusioned figure. Released by Durham in September 2000 he returned to London and did not play First-Class cricket again. Muazam Ali’s place in Hill history is both as our first Durham contracted player and by virtue of his surname, his NEPL number is one, after making his debut in our first NEPL match at Stockton in May 2000.

MICHAEL Andrew GOUGH
b. 18 October 1979 in Hartlepool
RHB, OB
Durham CA, Durham 1998-2003 & England A 1999-2000
Son of MP Gough (Durham 1974-7)
Benwell Hill 2002
BHCC Career
HS: 118* v Sunderland (h) 2002
9 Matches, 9 inns, 6 not outs, 476 runs @ 158.67, 2-100s, 2-50s & 5 cts.

After a year without a Durham player in 2001, the club decided to try again in 2002. John Windows had left to work at Durham CCC and his departure was filled by the allocation of Michael Gough. Gough went on to play a crucial role in the winning of the NEPL title.

A tall angular player Gough spent most of his 67 match First-Class career as an opening batsman, but he appeared mainly at No.4 for The Hill. His 158.67 batting average dwarfs all others in the club’s history with Taufeeq Umar’s 69.55 the next highest. Gough’s impact was as big as his 6 foot 5 inch frame, as he wracked up 476 runs in nine visits to the crease. His hundred against Sunderland gave the bowlers a target to defend which they did successfully as was the case for most of the season.

It is worth noting that none of his top four scores were made chasing and despite the myth surrounding his performances in 2002, he alone did not win The Hill the league.
It would be false, however to paint a picture that did not include him as a vital cog in that side. His thoughtful contributions in the captain’s ear from slip and his safe catching there made him more than a run-machine. He often followed-up his performances on the field with a commitment to his team-mates after the match also and was a very popular man within the dressing room.

The raw statistics will mean his record is very unlikely to be matched and as a member of the NEPL winning side he will always be fondly remembered at Denton Bank. His batting for The Hill played him back into the Durham side in the second-half of 2002 and he averaged over 50 that summer in First-Class cricket. It was to be short-lived and by the end of the following season he retired from the professional game aged 23, his enjoyment gone. He is now on the ECB Umpires’ list and still plays for his hometown club Hartlepool in the NYSD.  
                       
PHILIP MUSTARD
b. 8th October 1982 in Sunderland.
LHB, WK, occ. RMF/LBG.
Durham CA, Durham 2002-8 & England 2007-8.
Benwell Hill 2003-4
BHCC Career
HS: 97 v Philadelphia (a) 2004
BB: 3-36 v Stockton (a) 2004
26 Matches, 24 inns, 2 not outs, 915 runs @ 43.57, 9 -50s & 13 cts.
23.0 overs, 1 maiden, 98 runs, 4 wickets @ 24.50.

The man universally known as ‘The Colonel’ lit up Denton Bank for two seasons before he established himself as Durham’s No.1 keeper/batsman. His stroke play was at times breathtaking and never boring as he left a big impression on those who witnessed him in Hill colours. His now familiar uncomplicated style suited league cricket well and he amassed 648 NEPL runs in his only full season 2004. Always prepared to take on a challenge whether that be the pace of an overseas professional or the fielder on the boundary edge his fearlessness was remarkable. His career best 97 from 68 balls at Philadelphia was memorable as he repeatedly launched the ball out of the ground, a shot he was attempting to repeat when he was dismissed. No getting them in singles for Colonel! A Straight drive into the trees at the Countess Drive End off Sunderland’s giant West Indian Marlon Black was another enduring image. The bowler finished dumbfounded in mid-pitch as the ball sailed over his shoulder.

Undoubtedly, he enjoyed his time at The Hill and often played NEPL cricket the day after finishing a game for Durham – which not all Durham players have not over the years. The carrot of bowling usually proved too much for him to resist and as all keepers do he loved to think he could bowl properly. He did take four NEPL wickets, all notable scalps (Gary Scott, Richard Waite, Peter Howells & Alan Walker!). Indeed he only kept wicket twice in his 26 games.

As the 2005 season began it became obvious he was going to be first choice with Durham and his association with The Hill ended at the start of the year. All who remembered him as a very down to earth lad were delighted with the success he enjoyed firstly with Durham & then of course his England selection in 2007. It appeared he had lost none of the innocence that made him so popular here. His England appearances made him the first Benwell Hill player to play Cricket for England. Hill players Steve Bainbridge and Dave Walder had already been capped by their country for Rugby!

CALLUM David THORP
b. 11th February 1975 in Mount Lawley, Perth, Australia.
RHB, RMF.
Western Australia 2002-4 & Durham 2005-8.
Benwell Hill 2005.
BHCC Career
HS: 32 v Chester-le-Street (H) – on debut 2005
BB: 7-53 v South Northumberland (h) 2005
10 matches, 6 inns, 1 not out, 66 runs @ 13.20
140.2 overs, 30 maidens, 443 runs, 23 wickets @ 19.26

“Callum who?” greeted the news of the 2005 allocation from Durham CCC. The newly signed seamer from Western Australia qualified for England via his parents. Yet, with Shahid Nazir set to return as overseas professional there seemed little benefit in another seam bowler. All this changed with Shahid’s international recall which saw selected for Pakistan’s tour of The West Indies in April & May 2005. Now the seam bowler was needed & the club moved to replace Shahid with Taufeeq Umar to restore the balance of the side.

Callum began as an unknown, but in his brief spell at Denton Bank he carved a niche in the hearts of Hill members with a fantastic spell of bowling in what became (by chance) his last match for the club. His 7-53 in 14 overs at The Hill against the Champions South North saw them humbled for 87 in 27.1 overs and set-up a famous nine wicket win by mid-afternoon. Indeed 11 of his 23 wickets came against our Gosforth rivals. Bowling at a brisk medium-fast & usually within himself, his style was well suited to English conditions & by 2008 he had established himself in a very successful Durham side.

His batting was also more than handy in league cricket as his debut knock of 32 from 18 balls, featuring three 6s proved. All too often he perished looking for the big hit in the latter part of the innings when at The Hill. His elevation to the First XI at Durham & his restricted appearances for the club saw, bowler Yasir Ali engaged as overseas professional  so the club moved towards a young Durham batsman in 2006.

KYLE James COETZER
b. 14th April 1984 in Aberdeen, Scotland.
RHB, RM.
Durham CA, Durham 2004-8 & Scotland 2004-8.
Benwell Hill 2006-7.
BHCC Career
HS: 81 v Blaydon (h) 2006
BB: 3-25 v Hetton Lyons (a) 2006
17 Matches, 16 inns, 2 not outs, 478 runs @ 34.14, 3 – 50s & 6 cts.
25 overs, 3 maidens, 87 runs, 4 wickets @ 21.75

Of all the players allocated to The Hill in the NEPL, perhaps Kyle Coetzer came closest to ticking all the boxes. He made a good contribution on the field with his middle-order batting and also added a great deal off the field as well.

Kyle played 16 of his 17 matches in 2006 and as the weather improved he played several well judged innings to help victories notably against Blaydon and Hetton Lyons. His compact style with a strong legside game saw him become a much admired player during his time at the club. His bowling was restricted by a back injury, but he was also a fine fielder in a variety of positions.

Importantly, Kyle realized his role within the club was not just to turn-up and bat and he attended Junior Presentation Nights, club dinners and even played in the winter 5-a-side football to maintain connections. His easy going approach, always accompanied with a smile made him popular at Denton Bank. He broke into the Durham First XI during 2007 and thus only played one game for The Hill in his second season with the club. It was decided with reluctance to try to find a batsman who would be available more for 2008, despite Kyle’s growing interest in The Hill.

WILLIAM Rew SMITH
b. 28th September 1982 in Luton.
RHB, OB.
Bedfordshire 1999-2001, Nottinghamshire 2002-6, Durham UCCE 2003-5, British Unis 2004-5 & Durham 2007-8.
Benwell Hill 2007.
BHCC Career
HS: 60 v Tynemouth (h) on debut 2007
2 Matches, 2 inns, 0 not outs 61 runs @ 30.50, 1 – 50.
3 overs, 0 maidens, 19 runs.

One of two players allocated in 2007 Will Smith was actually a former university team-mate and current housemate of Hill players Alistair Maiden and Mark Dale when he played his two matches in July and August 2007. An impressive 60 on debut in a narrow victory over Tynemouth was a good way to begin, but fell for just one against South Shields in a Hill defeat next game. Although, out of the Durham First XI in the latter part of that season, he was unable to play more due to personal reasons.  By the start of 2008 had re-established himself with his adopted county. He was appointed captain for 2009.

UZAIR MAHOMED
b. 20th August 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
RHB, OB.
Durham CA, Northumberland 2005 & Durham 2008.
Benwell Hill 2008
BHCC Career
HS: 118* v Norton (a) 2008
BB: 2-26 v Tynemouth (a) 2008
19 matches, 15 inns, 1 not out, 533 runs @ 38.07, 1 -100 & 4 – 50s.
66.0 overs, 5 maidens, 248 runs, 4 wickets @ 62.00.

A dashing former Durham Academy captain Uzair (Uzi) Mahomed was an ideal allocation for the 2008 season. Unfortunately his solitary year at Denton Bank coincided with our most disappointing NEPL season to date. He stood head and shoulders above the other batsman during the season and was named Player of the Year at the annual dinner. His style often brought him dazzling success with innings’ punctuated with boundaries and superb timing, although his lone century at Norton was a more measured effort. He was however prone (as is oft the case with such players) to apparently careless dismissals.

His finest night came in the newly formed NEPL 20/20 competition where he blasted 74 against Blaydon on a sultry Friday evening at Denton Bank. The Hill went onto amass 219-6 and clinch a place in the first finals day. Uzi’s bowling was useful in both forms of the game, but he did not take the wickets hoped for.

A good natured man without edge he fitted in well and may have flourished even more in a happier season, he was released by Durham in September 2008.

 

 

FIRST XI – CLUB CAPTAINS - 1883-2008

1883-4

E Caisley

1947-9

JL McKinnell

1885-90

T Denham

1950-3

J Marshall

1891-2

T Asquith

1954-5

L Duns

1893-4

O Paultich

1956

JT Hounsome

1895

J Rankin

1957-9

S Robertson

1896

J Phillipson

1960

JT Hounsome

1897

T Denham

1961

A Atkinson

1898-9

J Caisley

1962-4

JT Hounsome

1900-1

O Paultich

1965-6

AE Pearson

1902-3

G Denham

1967-70

S Allen

1904

O Paultich

1971

P Atkinson

1905

J Phillipson

1972-3

N Hamilton

1906-7

FEW Coller

1974-6

WJ Smalley

1908-10

WG Brown

1977-8

S Allen

1911

CJ Henderson

1979

L Jowsey

1912-3

G Denham

1980

WJ Smalley

1914

E Nichols

1981

JW Ward

1915-18

World War I

1982-3

ME Younger*

1919

HE Collins

1984

TJ Allsopp

1920-1

AG Grundy

1985-6

ME Younger*

1922-5

TA Caughey

1987-8

SC Dunsford

1926-9

AV Currie

1989-91

S Allen

1930-2

AG Grundy

1992-5

SA Lunn

1933-4

J McKinnell

1996

SS Williamson

1935-9

AV Currie

1997-2006

PJ Nicholson

1940

JL McKinnell

2007-8

ML Pollard

1941-4

World War II

2009-

AJ Maiden
1945-6 JC Clark    


* ME Younger was also club professional.