On the eve of the fixture Jesmond Cricket Ground was waterlogged, and grounds people worked exceptionally hard to get it dried out sufficiently for the match to start at 13.45pm. Northumberland won the toss and elected to insert their opponents.
It didn’t take long at all to discover why! In the hands of Northumberland’s pacemen every ball moved laterally, and many moved vertically in an unpredictable fashion. First ball fourth over Ben Walkden (Newton-le-Willows CC) holed out to George Darwood at mid-wicket off Matthew Scott. This brought debutant Oliver Spedding (Carlisle CC) to join Reece Irving (Netherfield CC), playing his second county match.
The youngsters put on a creditable partnership of 46 before Irving (26 off 64) was caught by Harry Crawshaw, off Matthew Oswell. Eight balls later Spedding was caught behind by John Oswell off Mitchell Killeen, who was making his Northumberland debut having played List A for Durham CCC last year. Debutant Stan McAlindon (Carlisle-born, Tynemouth CC & Durham CCC) established a decent partnership of 33 with Sam Dutton (Kendal CC).
Dutton (22 off 23 balls) was clean bowled by Oswell. Rain brought the first day to an end with the visitors on 108/4 in 36.0 overs.
On day two, McAlindon and skipper Matthew Sempill (Cockermouth CC) had built a partnership of 27 when the latter was caught second slip off the third ball of the third over of the day. Next ball Nico Watt (Carlisle CC) fell to a fantastic catch by slip Ross Whitfield. Oswel.
