Locals secure North East Series after sweeping 100 ball series.

On the final day, two wins in mid-April weather swept the local NUSC team to the North East Cricket Series trophy.

Quite a weather change from day three’s sun cream, 60 bottles of water, and sun hats to jumpers, thermals, and woolly hats on day four.  The Billingham winds blew away the bulk of the forecast rain to ensure all six series matches were completed but a wind chill factor to remember for all in attendance.

Batting first in the inaugural 100 ball game, NUSC slumped to 18-3 before Hedges 33(22), Stagg 45*(37), and Holmes 33(24) saw the team to a competitive 145 from its 100 balls as extras, this time 17, would again come back to haunt Guernsey.

Chasing they had the game at 80-3 off 60 balls in their hands as Stewart 52(41) showed his quality, if profiting from drop catches from NUSC fielders in the challenging winds.  The match swung on the wicket of Stewart, then the bowling of Hedges and Stagg whose combined 40 balls for 38 runs sucked the life from Guernsey's chase to bring a comfortable 15-run win in the end.  But those extras including technical no-balls for field infringements totaling 17 will be something the Guernsey managers look at for the small margins that swing games, moving into next year’s ICC events.

With the quick turnaround between games, Guernsey chose to bat first in match 2.  It is a choice they might regret after being bundled out for just 92.  Stewart’s 20(18) was the top scorer, as Hedges (3-10) and Atwaal (2-2), took the wickets backed by Will Roberts (1-13) taking the key wicket of Stewart.

In reply, 29 extras and 10 boundaries in just 52 legal deliveries (including 22 dots) summarize the outcome as Will Marrow 38*(28) promoted to open, iced the chase, despite Johnson's 20-0-13-2 impressive efforts once again to halt the charge.

The Series ends 21 points NUSC, to 3 points Guernsey.

Awards were spread across the teams.

NUSC Player of the Series was Lukas Culley for his outstanding all-around performance in challenging circumstances, and Luke Egglestone, who topped the series wickets, alongside a match-changing 50 on day 3, were selected by Guernsey’s management team.

For Guernsey, the top scorer in the series Will Stewart was the choice of the umpiring panel of Mark Eland, Babs Noor, and Jeff Laws.  Harry Johnson, the top all-rounder in the series, was selected by selectors as the Player of the Series, and someone who is likely to have a significant international career if he continues to work hard.

Another North East Series concludes successfully.  6 games were played in various conditions, formats, and locations across the North East of England, showcasing the hospitality available, and challenging every player to find if they could stand up when needed by their team.

The number of different players who did it across the series is the shared outcome the two team managers take no matter the actual series results achieved.

Thank you to all the hosts, supporters, and helpers who made the series possible again.

Details on the 2025 North East Cricket Series will be released soon.

For more information contact thenortheastcricketseries@gmail.com