After the success of last season we had to keep things moving in order to keep developing the club. The winter of 2004/5 saw preparations for the new season to increase the level of sponsorship and players. The Seven Stars Hotel in the village provided shirt sponsorship for the First Eleven, and the first eleven’s playing squad was boosted with the signings of Malcolm Clarke as 1st eleven pro and Simon Clarke from Swalwell.

The first game in the league saw us go to Sacriston for an eye opening start. Although we weren’t out played it gave us a few lessons in batting as a team. We recorded our first win in only the second game of the season. Shotley Bridge were unable to chase a modest target of 144 for 8 with Duncan McGregor and Jonny Appleby taking seven wickets between them for just 46 runs. This was followed by victory at Lanchester when a total of 221 was successfully chased, Stuart Taylor scoring an unbeaten 66. Matt Darwood fell agonisingly short of a century in the victory over Benwell and Walbottle when, with one run needed for victory, he tried to score the four needed to bring up his century as 221 was again successfully chased. A fourth victory was achieved against Burnopfield, when Malcolm Clarke scored 116 against his old club and Stuart Taylor contributed 67 to a total of 279 for 8. The fifth victory in the first half of the season came at league leaders Swalwell. Lloyd Anderson scoring 109 and Malcolm Clarke 62 in a total of 270 for 7. Swalwell were then dismissed for 142 with Simon Clarke and Stuart Taylor both taking four wickets.

The return fixture at Ponteland with Lanchester saw the skipper (yours truly) gain an unwanted record. Having won the toss he elected to let the opposition bat first on a blazing hot day. To thank me they scored a modest 329 for 5.

The first part of the 2005 season was dominated by cup fixtures. The Foster’s Cup had become a knockout competition. In the first game Greenside were defeated when Malcolm Clarke scored 74 when 215 was successfully chased.

The quarter final saw a visit to Lintz in a rain affected match. Having reduced Ponteland to 79 for 6, Lintz did everything possible to dry the pitch to continue the match only for Alex McLean to score 44 to guide the innings to 157, the umpires informed all concerned that in the event of further rain for Lintz to win the game ten overs needed to be completed. At the end of those ten overs all Lintz had to do was better our score at the same point, wickets being irrelevant – a definite advantage to the side batting second. Having achieved this Lintz tried to have the game abandoned when the rain resumed only for the umpires to rule in Ponteland’s favour after enduring similar conditions while batting. The match continued and Lintz collapsed to 110 all out, Simon Clarke taking 5 for 28.

The drama of the quarter final was surpassed in the Semi Final against Lanchester. Batting first Ponteland reached 231 for 7 in the allocated forty overs, Lloyd Anderson with 59, Malcolm Clarke 72 and Andy Morgan 49. In reply Lanchester reached the final over needing 3 runs to win. With an absence of volunteers to bowl the final over I finally let Lloyd have a bowl. Which turned into a master stroke. Two leg byes off the opening delivery tied the scores, only for Lloyd to go on to complete the over without conceding a run, the final wicket falling to a catch. The wicket maiden ensuring Ponteland progressed to the final on wickets lost.

Having lost in the league on the day before we returned to Ashington on the Sunday for the Foster's Cup Final. The nature of the cup draw meant Ashington had home advantage in the final. After winning the toss I decided I hadn’t learnt my lesson from lanchester and decided to make Ashington bat first. After an opening partnership in excess of fifty it was the skipper who made the breakthrough with Lloyd Anderson taking a catch behind the stumps. The second wicket fell in the 25th over with Andy Denyer inducing an edge from Neil Wood on 67, Lloyd again taking the catch. Andy took two further wickets, both falling to superb catches from Malcolm and Simon Clarke. Two further wickets fell as Ashington finished on 195-7. Andy Denyer finished with excellent figures of 3-28 in 7 overs and Stuart Taylor 2-22 off his seven.

In reply Ponteland progressed to 31 before a stunning one handed catch dismissed Matt Darwood. Malcolm Clarke joined Lloyd Anderson in the middle for a 90 run partnership, Lloyd passing fifty off 53 balls. Malcolm was then caught on the boundary with the score on 121 and it was left to Andrew Morgan to accompany Lloyd, first to his century, then to victory with a partnership of 78. Lloyd finished unbeaten on 135, an innings with 17 fours and 4 sixes that took just 102 balls. Victory was secured by a margin of eight wickets and with nearly 9 overs to spare.

I received the trophy to the delight of the travelling support with over fifty supporters making the journey from Ponteland. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all there support over the course of the season but especially final day.

However the cup story did not end there in the twenty over league cup final victories over Annfield Plain, Newcastle City , Percy Main and Morpeth saw an appearance in the final. The final was played against Leadgate at Ponteland but a poor performance saw Ponteland dismissed for just 50 when chasing a target of 137, despite 5 for 28 from Andy Denyer.

The second half of the season continued in the same worrying fashion, defeat following defeat in the league and the team slipped into the relegation zone after the match with Tynedale who scored 313-2. A week after running out Ricky Ponting in the pivotal fourth Ashes Test Match Gary Pratt recorded the highest individual score ever against Ponteland, an unbeaten 180, which was aided by five dropped catches with my overs costing 103 (economical!!!).

The final game of the season arrived with victory the only way to guarantee survival. The visit of Sacriston saw a much improved bowling performance, with eight wickets taken and a total of 180 to chase. Ponteland were stranded on 139-2 as rain and bad light ended the game. The good news came in the form of Burnopfield’s heavy defeat on the same day. The ten points gained in the draw saw Ponteland survive in the A1 division.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone connected with Ponteland cricket club in making this another very enjoyable and successful season. Firstly can I again congratulate Mr Ponteland ‘A Morgan’ the godfather of the team on passing 10,000 runs and thank him for all the help and support he has given me. Professional Malcolm Clarke was the top scorer for the season with 682 league runs and I thank him also for his contribution this season. I have been very lucky to have Lloyd alongside me as vice-captain and his advice and knowledge have been a real asset, not to mention his stumpings which turn leg side wides into wickets!!!! Finally I would like to thank our scorer Frank for all his efforts last season. I look forward to the 2006 season and aim to help establish ourselves in the top flight. On a personal note I will be trying to be nice to umpires

Thank you for all the effort and Support