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Archive
Saturday 4th September Bill Quay v Seaham Park
At last a home game but with only 5 regular first team players everyone appeared to be waiting for the end of the season and it showed. What a pity some players think they have a divine right to play first team cricket then decide they are unable to play. One of them even turned up to watch most of the game-does the Club really need these people? However after a poor start with Tudor, Gardner and Hunt back in the pavillion at 22/3 a low score was looming but Anthony Trotter waited until the last game of the season to make his highest score 36 but wickets continued to tumble against a side that had not won a game all season. Craig Smith put some respectability to the score and with 25 from extras the Quay totalled 139. The Parks reply was equally poor and against the accurate bowling of Chris Pleasants and Craig Smith saw them at 31/5 but 53 from McNicholas and 19 from Sutherland took them home by 3 wickets to end a miserable second half of the season for the firsts.
Scores: Bill Quay 139 Trotter 36 Smith 35 Taylor 4/30 Seaham Park140/7 McNicholas 53 Pleasants 3/67, Smith 3/26.
Saturday 28th August: Bill Quay v Castle Eden
Castle Edens ground has suffered the same as the Quays and despite starting on time the Quay found runs hard to come by with a slow pitch and the ball popping around from a length but with the same result despite a good start players got a start but were then dismissed. Jeff Tudor 18 and David Hunt took the score to 45 before they were both out to catches and when David Orridge went cheaply it was left to Bill Gardner 13 and Chris Little 15 staged a slight recovery but at 82/9 a small total was in prospect. However a defiant 15no from Craig Smith and 21no from Chris Pleasants enabled took the score to 121/9 from the 50 overs allowed. with home bowlers Banks 4/40 and Unsworth 4/58 from 25 overs always on top. Despite an early success when Chris Pleasants had McGee LBW without scoring Horsley and Higgin added 70 for the next wicket before Higgin was bowled by Anthony Trotter for 45. Chris Pleasants then had Horsley LBW for 23 to offer a glimmer of a chance but 19 from John Spellman Jnr with 19 and extras totalling 26 the Quays score was passed with 3 overs remaining. David Earle 2/18, Anthony Trotter 2/33 and Chris Pleasants 2/33 from 18 overs tried in vain but the score was always within reach.
Scores Bill Quay 121/9 Castle Eden 123/6 Higgin 45
Saturday 14th August: Bill Quay v Murton
Turning up for an important game with only 3 men at the ground 10 minutes before the start is no preparation for an important game especially as Jeff Tudor was missing due to an injury picked up at Gateshead Fell. Despite a promising start from Anthony Trotter and David Hunt it was the same old story, when, after they were both dismissed for 11 and 17 respectively the rest of the batting folded pathetically mainly due to Calvin Stephenson who must look forward to playing the Quay as they usually prove easy pickings. However despite a score of 57 all out it took 40 overs with Stephenson taking 6/26 and Keith Chapman 3/27. Murtons reply was relatively trouble free but did take 22 overs but Robson 34no and Richie Lowes 14no saw the home side home and 20 points.
Scores: Bill Quay 57 Stephenson 6/26 Murton 58/0 Robson 34no
Friday 13th August: Bill Quay v Gateshead Fell (Coors Gateshead Metro Cup)
Against a side containing Nicky Phillips (that same surname keeps cropping up!!), a Durham County player in Ian Patterson, ex Durham player Stuart Walker and a New Zealand professional in Dan Cornelius, comprehensively stuffed the Quay who again did not perform against top opposition a trait that has been with the Club for several years. More to the point Jeff Tudor took a knock from fast bowler Cornelius that would see him miss the next two games. However despite a good start with 31 on the board, once David Hunt 8 and 21 from Jeff Tudor had departed, the rest of the side caved in against the bowling of Nicky Phillips who must have thought all his birthdays had come at once and he finished with 9/26 and in reply to the Quays modest total of 51/8, Stuart Walker remained unbeaten with 39 from 52 without loss. The gulf in class between a Premier League side and the others is huge but we will plough on but surely Jeff should expect a greater support from the rest of his players.
Scores: Bill Quay 51/8 Tudor 21 Phillips 9/26 Gateshead Fell 52/0 Walker 39no
Sunday 1st August Bill Quay v Silksworth
Again the hurdle of overcoming a team higher in the League proved too great for the firsts and Silksworth did "the double" but not without a few shocks. The firsts batted first and Jeff Tudor proved to be Umpire Vincents rabbit when a snick to pads brought about the usual appeal from the Silksworth side and the dreaded finger from Gordon went up for LBW with Jeff on 12. Despite double figures from Hunt 14, Orridge 11 and a fighting 15 not out from Sab Dillon the innings ended on 83 with Steve Hanson taking 6/35. Silksworths reply also suffered with 4 wickets down for 20 runs against Chris Pleasants and Craig Smith the latter taking 3 quick wickets. However David Tate stuck to his task and found a willing partner in Chris Pringle. However once Chris Pleasants had Tate LBW for 34 a further wicket fell with Pleasants catching Hanson from his own bowling and Silksworth wobbled a little but Chris Pringle saw them home by 4 wickets..
Scores: Bill Quay 83 Hanson 6/35 Silksworth 84/6 Tate 34, Pringle 39no Pleasants 3/47 Smith 3/35
Saturday 24th July Bill Quay v Peterlee
At last a game against bottom club Peterlee and to make up for lost time it was imperative that the Quay who won the toss and batted got off to a good start and to post a total in quick time. Jeff Tudor and Bill Gardner were tied down initially but once they had seen off Laidler and Griffiths they quickly accelerated and 115 was on the board for the first wicket before Jeff Tudor was bowled for 65 and Bill Gardner followed later for a patient 54. David Hunt with 38no and David Orridge 17no speeded up the declaration after 43 overs at 200 for 2. The Quays bowlers were quickly on top with Bill Gardner taking a fine stumping chance from Chris Pleasants and backed up by some fine bowling also from Craig Smith had the visitors batting in tatters and it would have been a lot worse except for Dale Butler who was last out for 54. Chris finished with 7/42 and Craig 2/46 to put the Quays season back on track
Scores Bill Quay 200/2 Tudor 65, Gardner 54 Hunt 38no Peterlee 106ao Pleasants 7/42
Thursday 15th July Bill Quay v Cowgate (Matthew Oswald Cup)
A fine game pity about the result. The visitors batted first but were well contained until the later overs when Choudry hit a brisk 39no with 4 big sixes in a total of 145/5 from 20 overs. Bill Quay started well with 62 on the board before David Hunt was out for 33 but with overs and wickets running out the Quays batters struggled when the heat was on and they finished short at 119/7 with Jeff Tudor making 40.
Scores Cowgate 145/5 Bill Quay 119/7
Thursday 8th July Bill Quay v Felling (Gateshead Metro Cup)
Against deadly rivals of past years the Quay ran out easy winners against a poor Felling side. batting first the Quay made126/4 with a brilliant 61 from David Orridge. In reply "old boy" Chris Pleasants 2/7 and Craig Smith broke the early batting before Sab Dillon weighed in to clean up finishing with 4/11 and a visit to the Fell for the semi final.
Scores Bill Quay 126/4 Orridge 61 Felling 55ao Dillon 4/11
Saturday 26th June-Bill Quay vs Seaham Park
Yet another game ruined by the poor weather with the firsts having worked very hard to get into a winning position but a resolute Park refused to give in easily and with several stoppages they received 42 overs and only "extras" reached double figures. Chris Pleasants with 5/18 and Craig Smith 5/20 simply did not allow the home side to gain any advantage but with time running out the Quay were left with only 2 overs to hit the winning runs and despite a mammoth effort by Paul Bentham with 22 from the first over he was run out at the start of the second looking for a second run and after this the Quay batted out the over. Regretably league rules do not allow for a reduction in overs when time has been lost and also the Quay were not able to count any bonus bowling points as both sides had not received 20 overs each. Something for the AGM to look at. However third place is still ours with the second half of the season to come.
Saturday 19th June -Bill Quay vs Castle Eden
In a match ruined by the weather the Quay batted first and after losing Jeff Tudor early for 4 Bill Gardner and David Hunt put together a stand of 80 before Bill Gardner was caught for a "watchful" 22. David Orridge quickly followed but Paul Bentham joined David Hunt and added a further 40 before David Hunt was out for a fine 86 with 20boundaries and when the weather again intervened the Quay were 147/4 and despite a wait by both teams it was finally agreed to abandon the game with each side taking 5 points. Congratulations to Anthony Trotter and Craig Smith being selected to play for the League side on the 20th June.
Scores Bill Quay 147/4 Hunt 86,Bentham 22no,Gardner 22-Match Abandoned
Saturday 12th June-Bill Quay vs Ryhope
The selectors decided against many changes for the visit to Ryhope with Chris Pleasants coming back from injury and he replaced Chris Little who returned to the seconds. The Quay were put in and got off to a flying start, something which has been missing of late. Jeff Tudor and Bill Gardner had 60 on the board before the latter was caught for 24 and they soon lost David Hunt for 7. David Orridge joined Jeff and put together a further stand before David Orridge was LBW for 22. Paul Bentham joined the opener and took the bowling apart before Jeff Tudor was bowled for a fine 79 his highest score of the season. Paul continued with Alan Rackstraw before being caught in the deep for his highest score also for the firsts in making 78. At the end of the 50 overs the Quay had made a formidable total in 244/6. However the home side are a strong batting side have won by 9 wickets the previous week and again they got off to a good start with 50 for the first wicket before Craig Smith made the breakthrough bowling Graham Anderson for 35. David Hanson quickly followed for 30 and then when Craig Smith weighed in with further wickets the Quay were on top. Chris Pleasants then got into the act having Watson and Errington removed without scoring but Craig Smith bowled throughout and turned his best figures 6/43 and Ryhope were dismissed for 148. An excellent result and 20 points and with results elsewhere the Quay went to third in the League.
Scores Bill Quay 244/5 Tudor 79,Bentham 78, Ryhope 148ao Smith 6/43
Saturday 5th June -Bill Quay vs Dawdon
The first double weekend of the season and a trip to Dawdon without Chris Pleasants and Sab Dillon. Batting first a cautious start with 16 from Jeff Tudor before an LBW double, 13 from Bill Gardner and runs at last from Anthony Trotter 19. Wickets however fell at regular intervals but a determined stand of 60 between Chris Little 41no and Alan Rackstraw 21 saw the Quay to 167/9 which at least gave their bowlers a target. In reply despite the early wicket of Price solid stands between Stephenson 28, Aktar 31 and Watson 49 saw the home side advance to the Quays total. The Quay were not helped by some decisions that went against them particularly a stumping chance that was turned down by a home player standing at square lef. However some excellent tight bowling particularly by Trotter with two good stumpings from Bill Garner prevented a home win and a credible draw was obtained when the time ran out with Dawdon 150/6.
Scores; Bill Quay 167/9 Little 41no Akhtar 4/54 Dawdon 150/6 Watson 49 Trotter 4/31
Sunday 6th June-Bill Quay vs Murton
The big test failed with Murton running out easy winners by 8 wickets and whilst it is easy to blame poor umpiring decisions the truth is that we were bowled out for 104 and the visitors passed this total with ease. Still no pro and apart from Alan Rackstraw the team was as per last year but being negative is not the way. We are still in the top 5 which is much better than last year but the League appears to be about 5 teams and the rest being also rans. Our aim is to be in that top five but the top order batters will have to do a lot better to give our bowlers something to aim for and a century or a couple of 50's would help.Apart from 25 each from David Hunt and Paul Bentham and 18 from Bill Gardner, extras was next on 21. No other player made double figures!!! Calvin Stephenson again ran amok with 7/43 and what a pity he refuses to play for the League side in the Presidents Trophy. Murtons reply could have been different had Mahil "walked" when taking the cover off or Lowes for a similar chance and whilst both went on to make 33 and 30 respectively a wicket each for David Brown and Anthony Trotter was all the Quay had to show and for a rare occasion we did not earn a single point. The next game is eagerly awaited so come on you batters and give the captain some help.
Scores; Bill Quay 104ao Stephenson 7/43 Murton 105/2 Mahil 33, Lowes 30no
Saturday 29th May-Bill Quay vs Silksworth
The big match proved to be a bridge too far for the firsts with the pro suffering from a bad back and despite Jeff trying other bowlers the visitors got off to a useful start with Tate and Kennedy who made 17 and 37 respectively and whilst no batsmen got on top of the Quays attack, runs mounted up and at the close Silksworth totalled 234/6 with extras contributing 32!! Sab Dillon bowled well and returned his best figures for the Quay in taking 4/62. Bill Quay were soon in trouble and presented Siksworth with some easy wickets and despite 14 from Alan Rackstraw and a fighting 18 not out from David Brown, Craig Smith and Chris Pleasants were both out leg before in the last over. Whilst the decisions were dubious to say the least the Quay should have survived the 2 hours necessary but Steven Hanson of Silksworth was in great form taking 6/34. The Quays reign at the top was over for now.
Scores; Silksworth 234/6 Bill Quay 54 all out.
Sunday 23rd May-Bill Quay vs Hylton
With Hyltons ground still not available the game was played on a Sunday and transferred to the Quay who lost the toss and were put in. Despite Gary Braithwaite going early to a David Hunt and Craig Smith partnership, Lee Jackson Gary Hewitt put together a small stand before they both fell for 14 and 21 respectively and with their departure wickets tumbled at regular intervals to the excellent bowling of Craig Smith and Chris Pleasants who each finished with 5 wickets. Craig perhaps enjoying his best spell with the Club had figures of 5/24 from 12 overs. Not to be outshone in the headline makers were Bill Gardner with 4 catches plus 2 from Anthony Trotter who now has more catches than runs but wait for the big innings when he gets over the Toons mishaps in Europe-try supporting the Black Cats Trotts. However the Quay equally found runs hard to come by with Gardner, Trotter and David Hunt all going cheaply and it was left to skipper Jeff Tudor and first David Orridge to get the home team on its way. Jeff was out for 12 and when further wickets fell David Orridge carried his bat for 29 which saw the Quay past the visitors total for the loss of 6 wickets but 20 points. Next up Silksworth a much improved side.
Scores Hylton 71 all out, Bill Quay 75/6
Saturday 15th May Bill Quay vs Peterlee
Gardner back plus Trotter but Bentham still away-interesting selection decisions looming, Smith and Tudor jet lagged after a late night at the Palace. After the long journey down the A19 Jeff won the toss and put the opposition into bat no doubt hoping he could get a little shut eye at first slip Gardner took a rare catch early doors to get rid of opener Ford off the bowling of Craig Smith who then succeeded to put together his best spell of the season sending back the dangerous Butler. Chris Pleasants was for once having to play second fiddle but then nipped in with 2 quick wickets. Murali Trotter was then brought into the attack and after Smith and Pleasants had got rid of Unitt 25 and Garraghan for 40 quickly mobbed up the tail with a hat trick ably assisted by his Toon mate Gardner with a stumping and yet another catch and Peterlee were all out for 117 with Trotter 4/5,Smith 3/27 and Pleasants 3/54. In reply Jeff Tudor was out for 8 and half all rounder (catcher and bowler) Trotter got his now customary 0 but at least he gives other batsmen a chance and it was left to Bill Gardner and David Hunt to put on 70 before Gardner was out for 39. David Orridge relishing his first team recall then saw the Quay home and 20 points with both batsmen unbeaten on 39 and with Murton winning but Silksworth losing the firsts lead the division by 13 points.Sterner tests to come with Hylton next up followed by Silksworth, Dawdon and then the big one at home to Murton-Sky Sports watch out.
Saturday 8th May Bill Quay vs Easington
A home game against a bogey team in the past and after a week of wet weather the quays covers did the trick and despite a damp outfield the game started on time with the home side put into bat. An early loss of opener Michael Townes deputising for Monsieur Gardner away following the Toon in France did not deter Jeff Tudor and David Hunt who pushed the score along before Jeff was out for 34-no lb's yet Jeff it should be noted. David Hunt went on to score 57 before wickets fell in quick succession with David Orridge 11, deputy Little 1 and David Townes 2 and without the resolute Trotter a low score was on the cards but new signing Alan Rackstraw came in and thumped 48 and the innings was declared when Kennedy the Easington pro ran Smudger Smith out backing up at the bowlers end. With clouds gathering and some play already lost Easington lost Neasham for 1 before Robson and Kennedy treated the crowd to some boring cricket not seen at the Quay for many a year and when the rains came Easington were 39/1 from 19 overs. Still 8 points but news from elsewhere was not good with both Silksworth and Murton winning. Peterlee next up and they are third from bottom so maximum points are expected.
Saturday 1st May Bill Quay vs Houghton
Following on from last weeks fine win the firsts travelled to Houghton eager for more points from a side that finished bottom of the pile last year. Jeff Tudor won the toss and inserted the opposition who were immediately in trouble against the accurate attack of Chris Pleasants and Craig Smith and half the home side were back in the pavilion for 36 runs. Progress was slow by the home side but the Quay kept up their attack and after 36 overs the home side could muster only 59 runs. Chris finished with seven for 29 from his 18.3 overs backed up by Craig Smith one for 11 from 10 overs and David Brown two for13 from 8 overs. In reply Jeff Tudor was run out backing up and when Anthony Trotter went for nought (too much worry about United) they still needed 20 runs. However Bill Gardner gained a red dot against his name and saw the Quay home and a further 20 points when he finished with 34 not out. David Orridge was also still there at the close with 8 not out with Quay on 60/3. A sterner test awaits next week with Easington the visitors...
Saturday 24th April Bill Quay vs Boldon CA
Despite a warm start to the season the previous damp weather saw the Quays wicket slow and green but on winning the toss Jeff Tudor inserted the opposition who got off to a flier with 31 runs coming from the first 3 overs but once the opening bowlers realised that the ball had to be pitched up wickets quickly fell with Chris Pleasants picking up 3 of the first 4 wickets to fall but at 84/4 Boldon were handily placed. However once Jones was LBW to Pleasants and 2 quick wickets to David Brown saw the visitors all out at 139 with excellent fielding from the Quay. In reply a good start from openers Jeff Tudor and Bill Gardner had 60 on the board before both openers fell to Bellerby with Tudor 30 and Gardner 35 but with the quick loss of Trotter and David Orridge it was left to David Hunt 20 and Paul Bentham 22 saw the Quay home. An excellent all round performance with the pro starting off well. Results elsewhere meant that the Quay were top at the end of match one.