Ashington put Ryton on the wall for lowly club

Posted by The Journal on Aug 17, 09 04:36 PM in Sport

Ryton's mathematical possibilities of salvation from the Wellstream NTSL are virtually gone after they went down by 125 runs at Ashington, where Neil Wood (82) and Scott Thornton (45) enjoyed a 123-run opening partnership.

A quite remarkable game at Sacriston may well have holed Shotley Bridge's title dreams below the waterline.

Bridge got that sinking feeling once the Hubber family came together in a second-wicket stand of 170 that quickly took the game away from the league leaders. 'Uncle' Harry and nephew Martin were in irrepressible form, but amazingly they fell when within sight of well-deserved centuries.

Their superb afternoon became a bridge of sighs when Harry was bowled for 99, and Martin was caught for 98. Nevertheless, the achievement will no doubt merit a few late night family reminiscences in years to come.

With Sacriston posting a team total of 257 for 6, it needed an exceptional performance from the Bridge batters. However, with Graham Hubber (3 for 43) determined not to be outdone and striking some key early blows, and brother Martin bagging five cheap wickets to claim the major family bragging rights, Shotley collapsed to 90 for 9.

But the day was not done as Aman Dhindsa cracked a defiant 66 batting at number 10, and skipper Neil Burdon showed his defiance with an unbeaten 32 at number 11, the pair putting on a last-wicket stand worthy of Custer.

However, even they were denied the century when Dhindsa was dismissed after a partnership worth 98 runs.

Swalwell gleefully pounced on the Bridge slip-up when they hammered Benwell & Walbottle by nine wickets in a super-efficient team effort which left their opponents staring right down the relegation barrel.

Percy Main skipper Richie Walker produced a stunning burst of 5 for 20 to dismantle Leadgate for just 103 and set up a seven-wicket victory.

We'd like to hear from you.
Send your stories, pics and videos to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk