All square after thrilling opening day of the North East Series.

Guernsey and NUSC shared a thrilling set of T20s as the forecast rain for the most part bypassed Norton to ensure two games were played, and both teams learned a great deal about their opposition.

NUSC batting first in match 1 posted 136-9 as Harry Johnson (3-22) cemented his reputation as one of the top bowlers and found North East conditions very much to his liking, with only Lukas Culley 38(32) standing out with the bat.  Support for Johnson’s fine bowling came from Forshaw (2-14) as his spin found considerable assistance if 25 extras would be higher than Guernsey coaches would have liked.

In reply, it was Will Stewart with 41(36) that captured the eye but the power hitting of Day 23(17) and then Johnson 21(13) inflicted a last-ball defeat, and more than one dent in NUSC cars with some lofty sixes into the car park.

Match 2 saw Guernsey win the toss, batting first in ever-darkening skies, posting 129-5 in their 20 overs, with just 6 fours and 2 sixes, with Egglestone (2-18) again the leading NUSC bowler, supported by Scott (3-27).

In reply, NUSC got home by 7 wickets with 2.5 overs remaining led by 44(48) from Ethan Connolly whose call-up for Durham means he will be badly missed for the remainder of the series.  Two fifty-run partnerships with Culley again catching the eye of the Guernsey players again for his attacking innings of 36(29) in some damp conditions, and an innings only ended by a fine run out from Gregson from the boundary.  NUSC stayed ahead of the DLS par sheets, as the light rain came but was played through to finish the games, a credit to both teams and umpires. 

The bad rain missed Norton and is falling as the press release is written so hopes remain for play of some kind on day 2, the first ODI with the forecast the rain will blow through, and a clean-up operation is possible.

Thank you to Norton for the hospitality and hosting of the North East Cricket Series opening day.

A long day for all involved with a 1920 finish, and a 0600 rise for many of the NUSC players to be at Seaham Park for the first ODI of the series on day 2.