NHCC vs Goldsborough match report

Newby were looking to bounce back this week, playing away to a Goldsborough second XI who had also tasted defeat in their first game of the season. Conditions were similar to week one, with some light rainfall on the Friday leaving the pitch soft with overcast conditions to boot. Captain Aaron Virr elected for heads (has never heard of tails never fails) at the coin toss for the second successive week, with the same result, Newby losing the toss and being put in to bat.

Jim Blackburn and Dan Virr got Newby off to a solid start, navigating a slow outfield, offering little value for your shot, by running well between the wickets. The conditions offered some movement early in the innings for the bowlers, which ultimately led to the dismissal of Jim (22 off 39), bowled by a swinging ball which nipped back through the gate. Dan (24 off 33) followed Jim back to the clubhouse shortly after with a shot which was going to be a unfortunate, common theme throughout the Newby innings.

In short, Newby fell from 51-2 to 72-6 within the next few overs, due to a combination of poor shot selection, batsman miscommunication and a superb ball which nipped away before a spectacular catch in the slips (he who writes the match report, creates his own version of the dismissal). Arriving at the crease at 7,8 and 9 were some of the more ‘experienced’ members of the team, Nick Kent (19 off 30), Paul Virr (12 off 27) and Tim Hope (sorry Tim – 22 off 34). They provided stability and invaluable runs late in the order, taking Newby from 72-6 to 133 all out. It was another below par batting performance from the side but, if the previous week had showed them anything, it was that if they bowl tight, field with intensity, and take their opportunities, they will always be in the game. 

With this in mind, the second innings got off to a less than ideal start, with Stephen Ingall-Tombs injured in his first over and being unable to continue. That left the captain, Aaron Virr, in a predicament as the Newby side were short of bowling this week. Goldsborough, a young side who had fielded with plenty of energy in the first innings, got off to a flying start thanks to Jake Stalker and Suraj Patel (24 off 25 and 44 off 55 respectively) before Stalker was run out with a flat trajectory bullet arm from the boundary by Grant Leivers. 

Still, Goldsborough were 55-1 and within a few overs, they were into the 80’s and well on their way to a win. However, Newby were confident that if they kept their heads up, got a couple of wickets in succession, the experience in sides could be the difference in this game. However, without one of their key bowlers from the first week, and in short supply of options, captain Aaron Virr was left with a tough decision. After a brief conversation, Callum Graham-Rack was asked if was anything like the other double-barrelled surname bowler in the side, and could he turn his arm over, Callum apprehensively agreed…

Well, in short, Callum went on to bowl 5 overs, 2 maidens, 4 wickets for 7 runs! He dispatched the opener, number 3 and cleaning up a couple of the tail in a spell which changed the game entirely. Bowling in partnership with Dan Virr (4 overs, 2 wickets for 24) and Grant (8.3 overs, 2 wickets for 25), Goldsborough went from 84-2 to 92-6, leaving Newby tasting blood.

There was some minor resistance from the Goldsborough lower order however, they then lost three wickets for no runs, going from 108-7 to 108-9, with Grant still having some overs remaining. Grant completed the comeback, comprehensively bowling at the final Goldsborough batsman, and giving Newby a much-deserved win for the level of spirit they showed in the second half of the game. 

It’s early in the season, but Newby are already showing themselves to be a formidable bowling and fielding side, never letting their heads drop and pushing the opponent all the way. There are also things to work on, but it’s early in the season and it’s important to remember that this is a new side who are continuing to gel. One things for sure, once everything starts to come together, this team can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. And if it doesn’t, then they’ll fight for the victory regardless.