After last season's 'voyage into the unknown' this was to be a year to find our feet at the new level. The transition from the midweek side of old into a 3rd XI continued as we were less reliant on 1XI players than last year, with juniors and 'old pros' performing with equal distinction for the season.

The season was to see 6 fifties, by 5 different players, only two of whom played more than twice, season best figures 4-5, a 64 ball 92, hat-tricks, wins by wickets lost, outstanding catches and fielding and even a couple of wicket keeper dismissals, although edges continued to be at a premium. Altogether 29 people donned white for the cause in 12 games.

The team continued under the captaincy of Andy Lawson, assisted and captained in his absence by Chris Morgan, team organiser extraordinaire.

The side always played to the ethos of old, 11 people who claimed to either be able to bat, bowl or keep and managed to live up to those claims most of the time! Enjoyment was at the forefront and it showed in the performances.

The season began at South North (although it was a home game due to our pitch conditions). Former player Alex Newman rattled up a century, the main highlight of the game being a through of well over a 100 yards by West Indian Test Player Reon King, who was in their nets, that certainly surprised Chris Morgan behind the stumps. Ollie Edwards 45 helped us up to 100 in defeat. Ollie then followed this up with 58* out of 102 in a 9 wicket defeat to Newcastle City.

The following week saw a return to City for a cup match, a game where we broke with tradition and won a cup tie. We did however win in unorthodox style, by losing fewer wickets. With 11 needed off the final 5 balls Richard Jackson and Phil Barlow managed 5 twos to tie, and following a consultation with the rule book the umpires declared us the winners.

We then collapsed against Newcastle's 9 men to lose the game by 2 runs, Ollie Edwards 3-28.

The first league win came at Benwell & Walbottle, Chris Barlow with 5-0-9-1, helping to restrict them to 91, Alex McLean (24) and Phil Barlow (37) opened to set us up for an easy win, with a flurry to finish from Nigel Davison.

Percy Main defeated us in the first game to be hosted at Ponteland for the season. They scored 143-3, but despite Alex (57) and John Jessop (56) we lost by 3. The cup run then ended at Backworth when we were 99 all out.

We then went to Backworth and the season turned on its head. Pablo Mukherjee with 68 dominated the batting, scored more than Backworth managed as a team. Alan Varley 3-23 and Jeff Oliver 2-2 helping to dismiss them for 56.

South North then came to Ponteland (as the home team with their pitch unavailable) and were dismissed for 108, Rob Jennings 2-29 in his only game of the season was overshadowed by Jonny Appleby who took a hat-trick, all bowled middle stump. Our reply ended as a rampage as Carl Bevan scored 62* in a 10 wicket win, supported by Richard Jackson's 25*, some of Carl's shots took off side deliveries intentionally onto the leg side where one poor fielder seemed to have to chase nearly every delivery in the match.

Newcastle City were dealt with in equally emphatic fashion, dismissed for 64, Ollie with 4-5 in 3 overs. Nigel scored 30 and Neil Pinnock 26* in a 9 wicket win.

The season ended with narrow defeat to Benwell Hill. They scored 149, despite a late flurry of wickets by Ollie (3-8 off 2 overs) and a wicket for Ron Fairweather, returning from his stronghold in the South of France. The reply saw an exceptional innings of 92 from Alex who was run out in the final over trying to retain the strike. However an injury to Chris Barlow during the game brought an end to his season in July.

Alex finished the season with 262 runs, Ollie with 177 the other past 100 runs. Bowling was Ollie with 12 wickets in 13 overs at 5.08 runs or the season. Jonny Appleby with 6 wickets at 9.00. If you add Ollie's 4 catches, the player of the season doesn't take much guessing, fatherhood obviously agrees with him. Performance of the season went to Alex though with his 92.

After such an action packed season what does next year hold? Maybe a win before June! Whatever happens, enjoyment will remain at the forefront of our cricket.