We continue to stick to the midweek policy of using players who are unavailable to play regularly at weekends, and ended up with a consistent core to the side which was rarely disrupted with 10 players playing in at least 8 of the 12 games.

The cup early in the season saw some good individual performances, and a first appearance for Ben Chappell and a comfortable victory against Hebburn where the opposition score was overhauled in just seven overs, with 3 sixes from Graham Irvin in an 18 ball innings of 39*. These rapid early scores became a characteristic of the season. D.S.S saw Chris Barlow's best return for the side with 4-34.

The St.George's game saw Graham's first 50 for the club, and the skipper's first wickets. The first game in this league against Warkworth saw a narrow defeat, with 14 being taken off the final over to give them victory. Alan Varley's first wickets of the season at Hebburn at the end of June coupled with Roger Bell's 41 gave the team another win. This was followed by 50 against D.S.S in a 96 partnership with Stuart Taylor. Defeat a week later against Stobswood proved to be the last of the season despite 44 from Roger, who proved prolific throughout the season, being given the opportunity to open the innings.

A victory at Heaton, an unusual occurrence in recent years followed in a vicious gale that took the antipodean contingent by surprise, not to mention the rest of us, it didn't however stop Alan Varley collecting a 5 wicket haul. Gosforth saw what was probably one of the biggest stands for Ponteland, an unbeaten 130 in 17 overs, with Roger's 58* being outscored by Russ Nixon's 63, both better than a run a ball. The reply was restricted with Ron Fairweather, Alan and Chris all conceding 15 or less from 5 overs, the skipper let it slip somewhat, giving away 31, although the 5 wickets probably make up for this!!

What proved to be the pivotal match of the season was the game with New Hartley, they arrived as league leaders with us second, two points behind. We were completely unaware of this until they told us ! Games were reduced to 16 overs as light was in short supply in the evenings. Stuart's 43 in 29 balls set up a total of 105. Andy Morgan opened the bowling for the only time in the season they totalled 94 in their 16 overs, a narrow victory that put us to the top of the table with 3 games to go.

Northern Electric racked up 127 in 16 overs in the next game, but with light closing in Roger (48*) and Andy Crawford (55*) put on a century for the second wicket to win in the last over. Rain then wiped out the penultimate round of fixtures for the whole Division.

The last game of the season was at Bates, this was the night of the Newcastle v Sunderland game and some regulars chose to go to this instead. Nearly all of the North East was engulfed in torrential rain, except a tiny section of land near the coast. Our game took place in this area at Bates Welfare, and so did New Hartley's home match next door so by a quirk of fate we still had the chance to win the league. In dark conditions we lost the toss and they scored 55 in the first 8 overs. Jonny Appleby playing his first game of the season then bowled superbly taking 3-20 alongside Alan Varley 3-22 to restrict them to 99, with excellent fielding all round, two superb catches by Carl Gamble stick in the memory, in one of his last games for the club. 100 in 16 overs in barely existing light looked tough, but Roger and Russ again saw a commanding 10 wicket win in the 14th. The title was ours, and 5 minutes later the heavens opened.

Throughout the season we stuck to the Wednesday principles of enjoying playing the game of cricket, winning the league was an unexpected, but welcome bonus, and hopefully we can continue our principles into the new century. Roll on the year 2000.

Andy Lawson

* 3 Points Deducted

J.Adams, G.Appleby, J.Appleby, C.Gamble, T.Khadri, C.Morgan all played once