A week later than planned, Saturday 27th April marked the opening of what hopes to be an exciting and successful season for Newby. First up was an away game against a tough Rainton side, also looking to make a positive start by getting off to winning ways. With rain falling sporadically throughout Friday and into Saturday morning, both teams were delighted to get the green light that the ground was fit for play. Newby had a strong recruitment this winter and have bolstered their side with some new (but old) faces, and were looking forward to seeing how the new side gelled under the continued captaincy of Aaron Virr.Â
Rainton won the toss and opted to bowl (with a high wind and overcast conditions, it was the obvious choice), so out went Jim Blackburn and Dan Virr to get the innings underway for Newby. In difficult batting conditions, Jim and Dan both survived early drops before playing some fantastic shots, getting Newby off to what looked like a solid start. Jim, was going along nicely, playing some lovely cuts off the back foot and joining in with Dan playing some crunching drives through the cover. Unfortunately, Dan was the first to go in the tenth over, bowled by Anthony Addison for 12 (off 30), with Jim following shortly after in the thirteenth over for 23 (off 34).Â
Grant and Stephen came in at three and four respectively, putting on a partnership of 30 before Ingall-Tombs (12 off 17) was dismissed after chasing a wide one outside off-stump and chopping on. Grant however, provided some stability to the innings, accompanied with some expansive shots including a lovely pull shot off the backfoot for six, on his way to a swift 41 off 48 balls.Â
With Grants departure and some resistance from Paul Virr (14 off 39), Rainton took hold of the game with some fantastic bowling, ultimately dismissing the Newby side for 143 off 38.34 overs.Â
As the second half got underway, Newby tossed the ball to Grant and Stephen, hoping to take some early wickets and defend a target which looked to be 20/30 under par. Newby couldn’t have got off to a better start, with Stephen dismissing Anthony Addison (9 off 11) with Jim Blackburn taking a sharp catch in the slips in the fourth over, leaving Rainton 11-1. Grant continued to bowl tight from one end, restricting the runs and was unfortunate to finish with only one wicket in a spell of 10 overs, 1 wicket, 12 runs. Rainton’s innings was steadied thanks to a well-constructed innings from Matthew Box, who continued to maintain the run rate before being dismissed by Tony Sidwell on 65 (off 68).Â
The game was poised at the drinks break, Rainton keeping up with the required run rate but their two biggest dangers were now back in the clubhouse and Newby felt that a burst of wickets after the break could change the complexion of the game. They were not wrong. Max Potts (6 overs, 1 wicket, 31 runs), dismissed the stubborn Rainton opener with a well taken caught and bowled, and after only bowling 3 overs in his first spell, Stephen Ingall-Tombs was able to come back on and close the innings out. Nitin Mukerji, bowled tight from one end, and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a wicket, but after being replaced by Stephen the wickets started to fall.
Rainton were reduced from 103-3, to 130-7 with only 7 overs remaining. Stephen Ingall-Tombs, who finished with figures of 9 overs, 4 wickets for 31 runs, quickly dispatched of three of the Rainton middle order, accompanied by Grant continuing his tight bowling whilst also chipping in with a key wicket. With only a few overs left, Rainton managed to get home with 16 balls and two wickets remaining.Â
It wasn’t quite the start that Newby were expecting for the season, but there were plenty of positives to take from the game. They showed grit, fielded well, and kept things tight, pushing Rainton all the way in what was a well-contested game. There were notable performances across this new-look team, and things can only get better as the season progresses. The team hopes to kick off to winning ways next week, as they face Goldsborough away.
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