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Cricket season 2009
All matches have been reported in full.
Schoolscricketonline.co.uk have mentioned Durham in editorial five times, 12th May, June 2nd, June 16th, June 30th and July 14th. On occasion it has been the performance of the opposition !!
The Editor remarks on the prevalence for outstanding school cricketers to play for County sides and the effect this has. Our Captain Michael Turns was appointed Captain of Durham Academy which limited his appearances for the First XI.
Notwithstanding this the School had a fruitful season.

Fixtures 21 Won 6 Lost 5 Tied 1 Drawn 4 Abandoned 5

Batting averages    ins.    n.o    runs    highest score   av
Ross Burdon         16       3      453        113          34.86
Michael Turns      6       0      202         93          33.66
Lewis Hall          16       2    411         80          29.37
James Ritzema       16     0      434        86         27.12
Tyler Temple        14       3      282        86          25.63
Andrew Elliott      13     2      190         43*         17.27

Also batted Sam Hardy 2 ins av 21, Richard Dennis 2 ins at 15, Robbie Griffin 10 ins at 10, Ali Brown , Callum Brydon, Bradley Pears, Ben Simpson, George Robinson, Jack Mitchell, James Henderson, Jack Deverson.

Bowling averages overs mdns    runs wkts   best   av.
Andrew Elliott       62.1   9     272    19    3-8   14.31
Ben. Simpson         20   2       61     4 2-7   15.25
Michael Turns        39   3      129     8    4-31 16.12
Ali Brown            22     0       85   4    2-32 21.25
Lewis Hall          108   8      425    19    4-18 22.36
Jack Mitchell        50     4      205     9    4-21 22.77
Ross Burdon       106    11      482    21    3-22 22.95

Also bowled Callum Brydon 4 @25, Richard Dennis 1@ 28, James Henderson 5 @28.4, Jack Deverson 2 @33, Robbie Griffin 8 @ 43, Robert Sims 4 @ 46, James Ritzema 1 @ 69.

I am indebted to Gregg Cathrae for these figures.
I must emphasise how important to the success of the season his efforts have been. Thank you and very well done.
The following submission has been sent for inclusion in Wisden. I am limited to 3 lines.
An enjoyable and rewarding season with a young side.
The highlight was the match in which Durham took the last three Malvern wickets for nought to tie the match.
Ross Burdon (16yrs) won the Hirsch Trophy for best cricketer.

25/4/09 Giggleswick School v Durham School at Giggleswick, Drawn
Giggleswick produced a plentiful and tasty tea thank you also some good cricketers. They had some robust hitters. A poor start disadvantaged Durham and just when we were getting on terms, Giggleswick produced Strickland to destroy our batting.

29/4/09 Yarm School v Durham School at Yarm, Won
Yarm came the nearest to defeating our first XI since the fixture began. We had difficulty with the pace and Yarm had two big hitters which we got out just in time.

2/5/09 Durham School v Sedbergh School on the Playground. Lost
Durham came up against a fine team in Sedbergh and we were outplayed. Several of their players have attracted the interest of Counties. Jordan Clarke. Harrison and their keeper who demonstrated their talent. School play Barnard Castle on Tuesday 4 p.m. in a 20/20 and R.G.S. on Saturday 9/5/09 start 11.30a.m.
Mark Trowbridge (O.D.) an architecture student at Newcastle came to watch.
The new Head was present and Derek Best his deputy who gave so much valuable assistence to the organisers of the Australian tour.

9/5/09 Royal Grammar School Newcastle v Durham School played at the Northumberland County Ground, Jesmond. Drawn
This was a win denied by time. Perhaps last year influenced the tactics set 264 off 40 overs by R.G.S. Durham got the runs to win by two wickets.

13/5/09 M.C.C. 235-5 dec, Durham School 201-6 Drawn.
This had been a respectable performance against an M.C.C. side containing several probationers who are always keen to do well, a couple of M.C.C. university players and a premier league player. There had been contributions as a team. MCC was denied revenge after Durham won by seven wickets last year!

16/5/09 Barnard Castle School v Durham School at Barnard Castle, Drawn
What had been in prospect an exciting fixture became a dreary draw.

20/5/09 Durham School v Stockton Cricket Academy on the Playground, Drawn
The score set by School did not appear enough but the wicket did not allow the ball to come on and Stockton experienced the same problem with Durham coping better.

1/6/09 Durham School v Durham 6th Form Sports College Lost
The College bowled well and School were well short of a competitive total and their openers gave them a strong start.

13/6/09 Durham School v Durham Pilgrims on the Playground, Won
Against a strong Pilgims side School did well to capture six wickets and but for Cullen ??.
Brian Stone captaining the visitors generously tried to make a game of it with their bowlers were hampered by the wet run ups. School's batsmen played determinedly for a fine victory.
Thanks must be expressed to a sporting Pilgrims team continuing to field in the rain and most emphatically to the two umpires Ian Wilburn and Freddie Hilton for not going off. Dickie Bird is going to have a word with them.

13/6/09 Durham School v Woodhouse Grove on the Playground. Drawn
Polius made Durham's task impossible hitting eleven fours and six sixes in his 123. The time allotted for our reply was insufficient but the match was played in superb weather contrasting with the Pilgrim's game and their declaration.

23/6/09 Barnard Castle School v Durham School at Barnard Castle. Lost
It was an impressive performance by Barnard Castle. Congatulations good luck in the next round. Posting that total School would have needed to play at the top of their game to succeed.
Disappointingly that did not happen.

24/6/09 Durham School v R,G.S. Newcastle on the Playground, Won
Durham played well with outstanding performances by Ritzema and Burdon. Hall's bowling destroyed their batting and everyone chipped in for a good team display. Great team performance boding well for the match against Kent Street.

25/6/09 Durham School V Kent Street Cricket Academy, Won
A lovely day to entertain our guests from Perth although it was warmer there than here.
Durham had played well throughout the game and put in a good team performance.

29/6/09 Durham School v Old Dunelmians on the Playground, Lost
This most enjoyable game played for fun was followed by a barbecue and the Cricket Club Presentation Evening.
Thanks go to Patrick Dias for organising his team and to those who participated.
In addition thank you to the catering staff not only for the barbecue but for their food throughout the season.

Colours were awarded as follows:
First X1 to James Ritzema, Michael Turns, Ross Burdon, Lewis Hall, Tyler Temple, and Andrew Elliott.
Half colours to Robert Simms and Jack Mitchell.
The Best Batsman award went to Ross Burdon
Best Bowling award to Andrew Elliott
Best Fieldsman to James Ritzema.
The Most Improved Player in the club went to Elliott Foster.
The Mike Hirsch Award for Best Player to Ross Burdon.

30/6/09 Durham School v Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Brisbane, Won
At the onset it looked as if School were going to score 270+ but the innings fell away then with two early wickets we were on top again only for the balance to swing towards the Grammar School as their middle order consolidated. An opportune wicket by Dennis and some fine fielding and catching brought Durham the victory as the rain started.
A report on the match at Durham City is in preparation.
School play King's Worcester on 7th and Malvern College on the 8th in their post season tour.
1/7/09 Durham City 6th Form Sports College v Durham School played at Durham City C.C., Drawn
The College team contained players players from local leagues and it was disappointing that the game was unfinished.

Durham School v Malvern College at Malvern, Tied
A splendid recovery by Durham with some wonderful catching rescued the last match of the season.
I can understand why they put us in. Malvern were exceptional and generous hosts.
Turns had 4-31, Elliott 3-15 and Temple a run out and two caught behind to conclude their cricket careers at School.

The rugby season starts on Friday when the School visit Wharfedale R.F.C. k.o.6.30 p.m..
Rowing
Tom Edwards now I believe an O.D. was 12th in the World Junior Rowing Championships for Great Britain.

Durham School v Malvern College at Malvern.

Weather Cloudy 66F, rain started but stopped as play began.
Wicket reputed good strip used for half day game previously.
Toss Won by Malvern Durham asked to bat.
Format 20 overs from 5.30 p.m.

The cricket ground is overlooked by the college buidings on one side and surrounded by trees. It has a Victorian pavilion at one end.
The ground traditionally only permits fours. Sixes count only four.

Weather The rain relented as the start time approached. 66F.
Wicket partially used it was reputedly a good strip but turned out to be spin friendly.
Toss Malvern won the toss and asked Durham to bat.
Format 20 overs from 5.30 p.m.

Malvern started with Meredith a left arm spinner who bowled a maiden. In the fourth over Burdon(2) scooped a ball from Coffey to mid on and was caught. 4-1-7-1.
In the next over from Meredith Turns(5) left a ball alone but it came back to take his off stump. 5-1-11-2. Hall thrashed a four to end the over.
Ritzema(1) was next out caught at gully from an edge.9-2-17-3. Hall drove through mid off for four but Temple(4) after one boundary was caught at cover.11-2-21-4.
Hall cut hrough point twice and with a pull over mid off had 25 then he was caught at cover.13-3-38-5
With only one added Elliott lost his middle stump to Barnett.17-5-39-6. With 2 byes a four and a six counted as four Griffin added ten in the 18th over.
A wicket maiden followed for Barnett as he had Mitchinson caught by Harwood. 19-6-49-7. A single by Griffin and School had fifty.
Griffin chanced his arm to push just short of square leg then stoked a cover drive in the next over.
Two more fours including one over the heads of the slips and with a thirtythree partnership a recovery was in prospect. This assumption was not shared by Meredith who tempted Griffin
into driving two balls before lunch and Durham went in eight down with Hardy 11*. 27-6-82-8
Meredith had bowled unchanged and taken four for 36. Hardy(13) was out shortly after caught off Meredith 96-9. Simpson(7) raised the hundred with a thumping cover drive but was l.b.w. to Meredith leaving Pears 14*.
Durham had scored 110 off 33 overs.
Meredith had bowled continuously for figures of 17-3-42-6. A 17 year old his seasons figures were 219-48-775-53 av.14.6
With Malvern getting a good start with 39 off the first nine overs before their first wicket fell 111 to win. Looked an easy target. Turns bowled Lacey(6) and had Hylands(2) caught behind by Temple as wicketkeeper. 11-1-41-2
School now turned to spin and Burdon had Davey caught behind for 41. 12-1-53-3. The scoring faltered with his departure two maidens came and then three wickets fell to the spinners.
Two catches by Turns at slip the first off Burdon brought the 4th wicket and Elliott the 5th.
A fast return by Mitchinson ran out Barnett and Durham were back in the game. 27-3-78-6
Tea was taken in Malverns impressive long room where all the teams are listed.
Malvern progressed to 103 before losing their next wicket with Meredith (13) caught by Elliott off Turns.31-5-103-7.
Turns in his final spell bowling for Durham had Jones caught by Ritzema to take the 8th wicket with the scores level.
The last two Malvern wickets went to Elliott with a slip catch by Turns then a catch at short leg by Hall. The match on a turning wicket was tied.
Result Match tied.
Durham School 110 ( Hall 25, Griffin 25, Meredith 6-42, Coffey 2-24, Barnett 2-20).
Malvern College 110 ( Davey 41, Turns 4-31, Burdon 2-16, Elliott 3-15).

A splendid recovery by Durham with some wonderful catching rescued the last match of the season.
I can understand why they put us in. Malvern were exceptional and generous hosts.
Turns had 4-31, Elliott 3-15 and Temple a run out and two caught behind to conclude their cricket careers at School.

Schoolscricketonline have asked for detail so we may get a mention.

Durham 35-0 v King's Worcester Match abandoned rain.
Report later.

1/7/09 Durham City 6th Form Sports College v Durham School played at Durham City C.C.

Weather 72F sunny, stifling heat, little breeze.
Toss College to bat
Wicket Dry
Format 30 overs each.

Hall began with a maiden. School took the first wicket in the fifth over when Pringle(17) who had started agressively put up a steepling ball under which Burdon carefully positioned himself to take the catch. 5-1-26-1. Simpson now bowled a maiden and after 10 overs the College had 10-3-42-1.
Stephenson(23) was caught by Temple off Griffin in the 11th over. 11-3-47-2. Irvine and Davis for the College took a heavy toll advancing their score to 102 in the 17th over and to 130 in the 20th before the next wicket fell when Davis(23) was caught by Elliott off Burdon.20-3-130-3.
Twenty one more runs came off two overs then Burdon bowled Irvine (52).22-3-151-4
The fifth wicket came in the 23rd over when Lewis was(14) caught by Pears with Mitchell bowling.23-3-159-5
Mitchell had another wicket when Ghorey(4) was lbw.25-3-166-6
The seventh and eighth wickets were claimed by Elliott the first bowled and the second with a catch by Ritzema. 28-3-187/7/8
Hall came back and had Bailey caught by Ritzema at mid on. 29-3-193-9 and Griffin bowled the last man with the penultimate ball of the College innings. 30-3-200 all out.
Storm clouds had been massing during their innings and reports of torrential rain and storm damage just a few miles away in Consett boded ill for the completion of this game.
Replying School lost Ritzema for 15 and Burdon for 7 but the rain came and the match had to be abandoned.
Result Match abandoned
Durham City 6th Form Sports College 200 ( Irvine 52, Stephenson 23, Davis 23,Hall 2-25, Griffin 2-44, Burdon 2-39,
Mitchell 2-34, Elliott 2-14)
Durham School 57-2 (Hall 22*)

The College team contained players players from local leagues and it was disappointing that the game was unfinished.

7/7/09 The King's School, Worcester v Durham School
This match on the adjacent ground to Worcester C.C.C barely got started before a deluge descended and no further play was possible.
This was unfortunate because five young O.Ds had come down to see the game. Lewis Banks,Will Cleaver, Toby Rostron-Maher, Will Paxton and Adam Rich.
Durham School 7-0-35-0

30/6/09 Durham School v Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Brisbane

Weather 70F hazy sun.
Wicket Dry
Toss School to bat
Format 50 overs each

A quiet first six overs realising 30 was followed by 22 in the 7th. Then a maiden in the ninth whilst Hall replaced his bat. A square cut by Hall disappeared into the foliage of a huge fallen tree. This had happened overnight bringing down two others from the diggings. The noise from the saws and the chipping machine disturbed the normal peace of cricket.
There will be no shortage of sawdust for years to come.
Burdon scored three boundaries in the11th ov, but was caught behind in the next. 12-1-83-1
Ritzema hit was seemed to be a certain four but an enthusiastic Aussie fielder limited it to 3.
Hall had a six from a no-ball and Ritzema straight drove(4) to bring up the hundred.15-1-100-1
In the 18th Hall swept over leg for six then hit the next ball (a full toss) out of the ground.
The 19th brought the visitors their 2nd wicket when Ritzema misjudged the power necessary to clear the field and was caught 10 yds. inside the line.19-1-127-2
Temple flourished temporarily with a four and a six but was bowled for 13. 23-1-149-3
Hall was batting more circumspectly nowbut he mishit a full toss to mid wicket where he was caught. 27-1-161-4.
A maiden followed, Robinson(6) was out going for a second run when a rapid return hit the stumps. 33-2-174-5
The 34th over was a maiden and the innings faltered but Elliott managed a six then Dennis raised the 200 in the 37th. 37-3-207-5
After a square cut(4) by Elliott he was leg before after scoring 29. 39-3-223-6.
Another l.b.w. disposed of Dennis and two more wickets fell without addition. 39-4-223-7/8
Griffin(7) hit a four but was caught 237-9 and Simpson(7) was last out leaving Mitchell 3*.
Durham had totalled 243 all out in 45 overs.
The first over by Hall was a maiden and he had Hill l.b.w.in his fourth.7-1-19-1 then he took McBurney's off stump in his next. 9-1-23-2.
The Aussies remained together until tea. 17-1-67-2
Resolute batting took them to the hundred in the 29th over. 29-1-100-2
The batsmen looked comfortable and by the 34th over Sowdon had his 50.
Dennis who usually keeps wicket came on to bowl and bowled Pinkstone middle stump for 45.The pair had a stand of 113 and were looking dangerous.35-1-138-3.
He was unaccountably promptly withdrawn from the attack. With 15 overs to go S.C.G.S. wanted 90 off 14. A lightning return from Elliott ran out Sowdon for 70.38-1-166-4
Hall returned to bowl the remainder of his allocation and with his fourth ball had Dobeson caught ankle height by Ritzema.This was a wicket maiden. 43-2-181-5
Mitchell conjured another run out 44-2-181-6 then Hall had Ward l.b.w..In the same over a direct throw from 59 yards by Elliott spread eagled the stumps. 45-2-186-8
Temple caught Nicholas off Mitchell's bowling and he then bowled Morris. 202 all out
Result Durham School won by 41 runs.
Durham School 243 ( Hall 80, Burdon 33,Elliott 29,Dennis 26,Stone3-55,Blevin 3-55, Jones 1-36, Pinkstone 2-54)
Sunshine Coast Grammar School 202 ( Sowdon 70, Pinkstone 45, Hall 4-18, Mitchell 2-24, Dennis 1-28)
At the onset it looked as if School were going to score 270+ but the innings fell away then with two early wickets we were on top again only for the balance to swing towards the Grammar School as their middle order consolidated. An opportune wicket by Dennis and some fine fielding and catching brought Durham the victory as the rain started.
A report on the match at Durham City is in preparation.
School play King's Worcester on 7th and Malvern College on the 8th in their post season tour.

29/6/09 Durham School v Old Dunelmians on the Playground

Weather Hazy sunshine 70 F
Wicket Dry
Toss School to bat.
Format 20 overs each.

The first 10 overs yielded 71 runs for the school. Hall who had hit two fine sixes was out to a good catch on the boundary but after the applause died down attention shifted to Toby Rostron- Maher umpiring who signalled a no-ball.8-0-55-0 Hall was not out,
Daniel Petts had Burdon(10) caught by Richard McGlashan on the long off boundary in his first over. 10-0-71-1
Hall was 51* with a sweep to the leg boundary in the 12th over.He continued to punish the bowling but another attempted six was caught by Will Dias in his midriff to give Petts his second wicket. 14-0-106-2
Petts took a third wicket bowling Ritzema(14) 16-0-119-3.
The scoring rate fell as Patrick Dias bowled a wicket maiden with Temple(2) caught behind. 17-1-119-4.
Elliott(11*) and Robinson(5*) added 25 off the last three overs and the innings closed at 20-1-144-4
School took the first wicket when Will Cleaver(9) was caughtat first slip by Temple in Hall's second over. 3-0-19-1
Petts(3) was bowled with Simms first ball. 7-0-46-2 and Burdon was successful with his first ball from the Bow end snapping up a caught and bowled chance from Tim Blair. 8-0-47-3.
In his next over he had McGlashan caught at mid wicket by Simms.McGlashan had played robustly to score 33. 10-0-57-4
Simms took the fifth wicket with Hugh Whalley bowled and the O.Ds were 5 down for 62.
Patrick Dias hit a six off Burdon and Howard Johnson hit another to take 15 off the 12th and then frenetic hitting and running by these two to considerable amusement resulted in 21 coming from the thirteenth and the O.Ds were back in the game which had appeared a lost cause 13-0-96-5.
Griffin bowled both Johnson(28) and Dias(14) to leave the O.Ds at15-0-107-5 needing 38 off 5.
Mark Bedworth blasted 24* with Will Dias 7* and the O.Ds got home with two oivers to spare. 18-0-145-7
Result Old Dunelmians won by 3 wickets.
Durham School 144 (Hall 72, Petts 3-28, Dias 1-19)
Old Dunelmians 145-7 McGlashan 33, Johnson 28, Bedworth 24*, Hall 1-13, Griffin 2-21, Simms 2-40, Burdon 2-26)

This most enjoyable game played for fun was followed by a barbecue and the Cricket Club Presentation Evening.
Thanks go to Patrick Dias for organising his team and to those who participated.
In addition thank you to the catering staff not only for the barbecue but for their food throughout the season.
Attending were O.Ds John Paxton and Tony Blair and the following:
Hugh Whalley studying medicine at UCL.
Phillip Blenkinsop surveying at Northumbria
Tim Blair geography at Newcastle
Petts business and marketing at Northumbria
Will Dias geography at Nottingham
Patrick Dias teacher training at Durham School
Mark Bedworth teaching at Durham School
Will Paxton agriculture at Harper Adams
Howard Johnson self employed entrepreneur
Will Cleaver studying at Leeds Met
Richard McGlashan Law at Newcastle
Toby Rostron-Maher economics at Sheffield.
The Headmaster attended the Presentation Evening with Ben Mason, Director of Sport, Mike Fishwick, Director of Cricket and Mike Hirsch, Cricket Coach. Ron Booth the bowling coach is in hospital following surgery and the Club sent its wishes for a speedy recovery.
Colours were awarded as follows:
First X1 to James Ritzema, Michael Turns, Ross Burdon, Lewis Hall, Tyler Temple, and Andrew Elliott.
Half colours to Robert Simms and Jack Mitchell.
The Best Batsman award went to Ross Burdon
Best Bowling award to Andrew Elliott
Best Fieldsman to James Ritzema.
The Most Improved Player in the club went to Elliott Foster.
The Mike Hirsch Award for Best Player to Ross Burdon.
The reports on the Sunshine Coast G.S. and Durham 6th Form College game are in the final stages of preparation.

Results
Durham* 144-4, Old Dunelmians 145-7
Durham* 243, Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Brisbane 171
Durham City 6th Form Sports College* 200, Durham 57-2 Rain match abandoned.

Lewis Hall scored 72 and 1-13 v O.Ds and 80 and 4-18 against the Australians.

25/6/09 Durham School V Kent Street Cricket Academy

Weather Sunny 62F but hotter later.
Wicket Straw colored deceptive bounce.
Toss Durham to bat
Format 40 overs each.

The visitors managed to get twelve fielders on at the start.
Frantic signals by Ross Burdon's grandfather ( who was accustomed to counting inmates- he was a Governor at Durham Prison before retiring) restored the balance after the second over.
Hall hit a six off his first ball and after three overs School were 21-0.
The third ball of the fourth brought a loud shout for l.b.w.which was not given however there was no doubt about the next one which uprooted Hall's middle stump. 4-0-22-1.
15,12,9 and 11 were taken from the 7th,8th,9,th and 10th overs. 10-0-80-1. Kent Street were employing an agressive field.
After three square cuts for 4 Ritzema(27) was caught behind attempting a fourth 11-0-86-2
A first maiden followed his dismissal then Burdon and Temple batted until drinks at the 20 over stage. 20-1-143-2
Burdon pulled for 6 in the 23rd and hit two cover drives in the 26th both for 4.
Play stopped in the 28th over after Temple hit a six into the Pavilion followed by a leg glance which disappeared into the bushes. The fielder retrieved the ball but it was an old one. Further searching found the right one. Burdon achieved his 100 in the 29th over and Temple square cut for 4 and drove into the diggings for 6.
Burdon was bowled next over for 113 off 107 balls. The first hundred this season. Patiently amassed with careful stroke selection. 2-1-211-3 Temple added 35 with Elliott(23) before he was l.b.w.39-1-246-4.
Temple scored 12 off the last over finishing 61*and Durham's innings closed at 40-1-258-4
Hall and Simpson opened the bowling with Simpson getting an l.b.w. decision with his 4th ball.2-0-6-1
Simpson had another wicket in the 10th over knocking back the middle stump.10-0-28-2
With one added Hall appealed for l.b.w. which was refused then he hit the batsmans off stump to allay any doubt.11-0-29-3
Kent Street had 50 when they lost their next wicket in the 17th over with a stumping by Dennis off Brown.17-0-50-4
They crossed the boundary six times for four and once for a six with a stand of 46 before Burdon ended it. 24-0-96-5
Mitchell had a wicket in the next over with a ball coming back into the batsman and taking his leg stump. 25-0-103-6
A slower ball disposed of the batsman who had scored 30 in his next over.27-0-110-7 and two overs later the batsman drove towards cover and Hall took the catch down by his toes. 31-0-129-8
He had another victim in his next over hitting the batsman's leg stump.33-0-145-9
Sixteen more were scored before Griffin ended the innings in the 39th over at 171 all out.
Result Durham School won by 87 runs.
Durham School 258-4 ( Ritzema 27, Burdon 113, Temple 61*,Elliott23)
Kent Street Cricket Academy 171 (Hall 1-16, Simpson 2-27, Griffin 1-18,Brown 1-35, Burdon 1-51, Mitchell 4-21)

A lovely day to entertain our guests from Perth although it was warmer there than here.
Durham had played well throughout the game and put in a good team performance.

24/6/09 Durham School v R,G.S. Newcastle on the Playground.

Weather Sunny 70F slight breeze.
Toss Durham won and elected to bat.
Wicket Hard, straw coloured. Reminiscent of Perth but see later.
Format 40 overs each.

Seated on the boundary it was good to hear the teams cheerful and enthusistic approach after the previous day's disaster.
Hall opened with Burdon and the first three balls he received kept low the fourth bowled him. 1-1-0-1. Progress was slow, the 6th over was a maiden and after 8 Schoo had advanced to 21-1.
A change of bowling was to Ritzema's liking a full toss was despatched through cover for 4.10-2-33-1. Durham took 14 off the 15th over with two sixes. Then in the 18th Burdon was stumped. 18-1-82-2.
School lost another wicket in the next over. 19-1-89-3 which brought Elliott(11) to the crease. With Ritzema he added 28 before being caught at mid on. 29-2-117-4.
Despite the unreliable bounce Ritzema had his fifty then added two fours to his score driving one over mid on and another off his legs. Another wicket fell in the next over 29-2-127-5.
The visitors ground fielding had been excellent.
Forty eight were added by Ritzema and Griffin(18) to take School to 174 from 36 overs. 36-2-174-6. Meanwhile Ritzema was 84* but could not get the strike, Henderson was bowled 39-2-184-7 and
Brown scored seven quick runs. At last in the final over Ritzema belatedly got his chance. A drive went high towards the boundary seemingly certain to go for six only to be plucked by Harms out of the sky.40-2-194-8.
Hall bounded in from the start getting wickets in his third ,fourth and sixth overs all cleaned bowled. The first was off stump, the second was middle stump and the third off stump again.
Mitchell had his wicket caught at first slip. The fall of wickets went 1-23, 2-26, 3-29, 49-4. The introduction of spin by Burdon restricted the scoring and brought more wickets.
Burdon had a stumping effected in the 14th over also a wicket maiden 14-1-70-5. He suffered twelve scored from his fourth over but got his revenge when the batsman was caught behind from his off spin in his fifth.18-1-92-6
Wickets came in the 23rd and 24th overs Brown knocking over an off stump 23-2-209-7 and Hall taking a hard hit chance at cover.24-2-113-8
Applying themselves the number 9 and 10 eased toward School's total but they had only two wickets and needed 47 runs with 7 overs. Not an insurmountable task, I remember occasions when it has happened.
Simms came on to bowl and destroyed the stumps with his last ball. 35-2-154-9. Then Griffin with the first ball of his spell bowled his man. 36.1.2,154-10.
Result Durham School won by 40 runs.
Royal Grammar School 154 all out. (Hall 3-25, Mitchell 1-24, Burdon 3-30, Griffin 1-28, Brown 1-18, Simms 1-12).

Durham played well with oustanding performances by Ritzema and Burdon. Hall's bowling destroyed their batting and everyone chipped in for a good team display. Great team performance boding well for the match against Kent Street.

Durham School 194-8 ( Ritzema 86, Burdon 29, Goodfellow 2-27,McKay 2-32, Harms2-63,Guy 1-41)

23/6/09 Barnard Castle School v Durham School at Barnard Castle.

Weather 70F Sunny.
Wicket
Toss Durham asked Barnard Castle to bat.
Format 20 overs each.

The home team made a good start despite accurate bowling by Hall who managed a maiden in the fifth.
At the other end runs came very quickly and they reached 65 in the 9th with 4x6 and 6x4. Then Henderson had Huck(22) caught on the boundary by Elliott. 9-1-65-1
Burdon took a caught and bowled ankle height to dismiss Spark for 44 in his first over. 10-1-70-2. Griffin at the other end had a catch dropped. Burdon claimed another wicket when a hit went high to Ritzema
on the boundary he caught the ball but in doing that he stepped back over the boundary and six was signalled.
The very next ball the batsman repeated the shot but not so hard and Ritzema ran in to catch the ball.12-1-84-3. The total mounted ominously with the hundred up in the fifteenth then Elliott had Romaines(15)
stumped by Dennis off his first ball.16-1-105-4 and Chapman was caught in the same over. 16-1-107-5
At this time it was hoped to restrict them to 125 or fewer howeverSutton and Arnott continued to plunder runs until Elliott after being hit for a four and a six had the latter caught.126-6
Hall came back in the 19th over and had Mason(3) caught by wicketkeeper Dennis.19-1-130-7. Sutton thrashed 16 off the last over to take Barnard Castle to 146-7.
Our tactics had to be get off to a quick start. Unfortunately that is not what happened.
Firstly their opening bowlers kept a tidy line and our opening batsmen perished in the anxiety to score. After three overs School were two down for seven so retrenchment was necessary. Ritzema and Burdon began this process but in the 9th Burdon(18) flat batted a return catch to the Barnard Castle skipper Lister. 9-1-31-3. Then Ritzema(16) was caught at long off in the eleventh off Lister 11-1-41-4.
A collapse followed with Upton(G) taking five wickets for six runs in three overs four of which were stumped and Durham were all out for 56.
Result Barnard Castle won by 90 runs.
Barnard Castle 146-7 (Spark 44, Huck 24,Sutton 30*, Arnott 20, Hall 1-10, Henderson 1-23, Burdon 2-32,Elliott 3-20)
Durham School 56 ( Upton 5-6)

It was an impressive performance by Barnard Castle. Congatulations good luck in the next round. Posting that total School would have needed to play at the top of their game to succeed.
Disappointingly that did not happen.

25/6/09 Durham School 258-4 (40 overs), Kent Street Cricket Academy, Perth 171.

CHANGE OF DATE
The O.D. Match will be played on MONDAY 29/6/09 Start 3.30 p.m. Afterwards there is a barbecue and the Cricket Presentations. Previously scheduled for 2/7/09.

24/6/09 Durham 194-8 (40 overs) R.G.S. Newcastle 154.
Tomorrow's match v Kent Street Cricket Academy will start at 1 p.m. 40 overs each.
The remaining fixtures are v Sunshine Coast G.S. Tues. 30/6/09 start 11.30 a.m.
and v Durham 6th Form College start 1 p.m.both games on the Playground.

Barnard Castle 146-7 (20 overs), Durham 55 (Greg Upton 5-6)

I have just been informed that the 20/20 game scheduled for Friday is now to be played tomorrow (Tuesday 23rd June) at Barnard Castle start 1 p.m.

20/6/09 Durham School 202-2 (Hall 85, Burdon 69*) King's Tynemouth 24-1 (Mitchell 1-14) rained off.
The game scheduled for Sunday 21/6/09 is off. Wet wicket.
Durham play R.G.S. on Wed.24/6/09 in a 40 over game start 2 p.m.
Thursday School play Kent Street Cricket Academy from Perth, Australia. Start probably 11.30 a.m.
Friday 26/6/09 is the delayed 20/20 match v Barnard Castle away start t.b.a.

13/6/09 Durham School v Woodhouse Grove on the Playground.

Weather 67F cloudless sunny day.
Wicket Dry
Toss Durham asked the visitors to bat.
Format 20 overs from 5.30 p.m.

A familiar face came with W.G. Arnie Sidebottom who played for England and Yorkshire who is one of their coaches.
Also present at the start were Godfrey Clark (48-54), his son Chris Clark and Wayne Ritzema (87-92) all O.D.s.
After 2 maidens in the first five overs Hall trapped Fairbank(7) l.b.w. 5-2-14-1. Polius who had played for the Antiguan XI and is in the West Indies junior squad remained vigilant at the other end
Another maiden was bowled in the twelth but Polius accelerated the scoring taking 21 off the fourteenth. He was not on strike next over which was a wicket maiden when Allan was caught low down in the slips off Elliott. 15-3-66-2.
Polius continued to dominate and Woodhouse Grove added 44 in 4 overs before drinks were taken at 19-3-110-2.
With 17 more on the board Durham took the third wicket when Simms caught Hardaker (26) off Brown's bowling. 22-3-125-3.
Brown had another wicket when he knocked over Wheatley's middle stump 30-3-162-4 but Polius attained his century in the next over. Henderson managed a maiden and lunch was taken at 34-4-183-4 (Polius 113*)
Three overs after lunch Polius made his first mistake chasing a wide ball outside off stump from Hall he got a faint edge and Robinson leapt to his left and took an athletic catch in his outstretched left hand. 37-4-204-5 He had amassed 123 off 92 balls.
The scoring slowed with his departure and Hall bowled a maiden. Burdon took a wicket in the 44th when Cummings(32)
overbalanced and was stumped by Robinson. 44-6-224-6. In the 48th over Burdon had a further victim to his off spinners again a stumping by Robinson.Hewitt(13). The visitors batted on Burdon repeated his feat with Worral(32) stumped 54-5-278-8.
Griffin bowled Dissanayke(6) and Woodhouse Grove declared. 55-5-288-9.
This was a total School could not hope to acheive in the remaining time. I estimated we had 1 hour 42 minutes and 20 overs.
Ritzema captain in the absence of Turns opened with Burdon. At tea Durham were 26 without loss off 12 overs with 4 maidens.
Immediately following tea Ritzema (9) was bowled. 13-4-28-1. Then in the next over Burdon(16) was caught at slip.15-4-32-2
Hall took on the bowlers 6,4,4 and a single in the 17th over. Thirteen came from the 19th and 7 and 8 from the next.
Taking chances it could not last and Hall was out to an amazing catch when the fielder took off parallel to the ground and caught the ball in both hands.22-4-81-3.
Temple not to be outsixed hit two in the 23rd then the scoring slowed as the last twenty overs approached.
The requirement was 178 off 20. School lost Temple after a belligerent 52 in the 4th over of 20. 130-4. Elliott hit two fours before Robinson(2) was stumped and with half the overs gone Durham were 10-1-150-5.
Woodhouse Grove had determined the draw and School gradually edged up the total before Griffin(14) was bowled.49-7-181-6. Elliott anchored the innings with his 43 n.o. and the game finished with School 185-6 after 50 overs.
Result Match drawn.
Woodhouse Grove 288-9 dec. (Polius 123, Hardaker 26, Cummings 32, Worral 32, Hall 2-40,Griffin1-21, Elliott 1-39, Burdon 3-62, Brown 2-32)
Durham School 185-6 Hall 35, Temple 52, Elliott 43*, Shakra 3-43)

Polius made Durham's task impossible hitting eleven fours and six sixes in his 123. The time allotted for our reply was insufficient but the match was played in superb weather contrasting with the Pilgrim's game and their declaration.

13/6/09 Durham School v Durham Pilgrims on the Playground

Weather Sunny after heavy rain overnight 57F. Unsettled.
Toss Pilgrims to bat.
Wicket Firm
Format 20 overs from 5.30 p.m.

Hall had Applegarth (G) (Sunderland) caught behind by Robinson off the last ball of his first over. 1-0-5-1
He bowled a maiden in the fifth but the 50 was raised in the tenth over and it was not until the introduction of Simpson in the 14th that wickets were taken.In that over he bowled Keane(G) off stump for 14 then had Applegarth (A)(Sunderland) l.b.w. first ball. 14-1-68-3. His spell was 5-0-16-2. Henderson took the next wicket with Wayne Ritzema O.D. bowled off stump. Ritzema has played County Cricket for Glamorgan.21-1-94-4.
Burdon bowling from the other end took the fifth wicket bowling Fawcett. 22-2-98-5.
Cullen (Whitburn) meanwhile remained scoring freely. Ten overs later he was 66* at lunch. 32-2-119-5
Rain intervened and resumption was delayed. In the 37th over Hall got the prized wicket of Cullen bowling him with a well pitched up delivery. 37-3-144-6.
Only three more overs were possible before the drizzle turned to rain and the players returned to the pavilion.
Brian Stone O.D.(Durham City) the Pilgrims Captain made a very sporting declaration at 40-3-17-6.
This assumed School would have approximately 44 overs. The weather did not permit this.
The openers Ritzema 16* and Burdon 17* had ten overs against Keane (Norton) and Telfer (Durham City) in which they scored 47 without loss before rain interrupted play again. There were now puddles developing and it looked ominous but such are the vagaries of the weather at School that the sun came out and with bags of sawdust the umpires allowed play to restart with20 overs to play. The School needed 124 from 20.
Limited by the conditions Stone and Patrick Dias (O.D.) chose to bowl. Stone bowled Ritzema in his third over 5-71-1
Heavy clouds surrounded the Playground. Hall took up the challenge hitting three fours in the tenth over of twenty and Burdon reached his 50 in the next.With 40 required off 7 Stone brought back his opening pair then Hall took 13 off the 15th as the rain started again. Burdon was l.b.w in the 18th over 18-163-2.
With two overs to go it was problematic as to whether the umpires would abandon the match. McGlashan in for Burdon
snatched a boundary off his legs and the rain was now heavy. Four off 12 balls but only three taken, it came down to the last six balls played in drenching rain. To the relief of all Hall thumped the full toss bowled to the leg boundary.
Result Durham School won by eight wickets.
Durham Pilgrims 170-6 (Cullen 91,Hall 1-28, Simpson 2-18, Henderson 1-25, Burdon 1-13)
Durham School 173-2 (Ritzema 24, Burdon 72, Hall 52*)

Against a strong Pilgims side School did well to capture six wickets and but for Cullen ??.
Brian Stone captaining the visitors generously tried to make a game of it with their bowlers were hampered by the wet run ups. School's batsmen played determinedly for a fine victory.
Thanks must be expressed to a sporting Pilgrims team continuing to field in the rain and most emphatically to the two umpires Ian Wilburn and Freddie Hilton for not going off. Dickie Bird is going to have a word with them.

The next match is on Sat.22/6/09 v King'sx Tynemouth start 11.30 a,m, and on Sunday the School play
Durham County U.17's start 11 a.m. Both matches are on the Playground.

Rugby

Joe Maw who played no.8 last season has been appointed Captain of Rugby season 2009/10.
Vice-captain will be Bradley Pears who played fly half.

Other news

Richard McGlashan O.D.(05-07 is in Sri Lanka working for the Fountain of Goodness charity which is supported by Surrey County Cricket Club.

There is an hiatus until we play King's Tynemouth on Sat. 20/6/09: the fixture list shows start 11 a.m.
The next day we play Durham County U.17,s both matches on the Playground.

Durham Pilgrims 170-4 dec. Durham School 172-2
The next match is against Woodhouse Grove on Sat.13/6/09 on the Playground. Start 11.30 a.m
This weekend is Durham Regatta, the second oldest.

The Ampleforth game has been cancelled. Rain

1/6/09 Durham School v Durham 6th Form Sports College

Weather Sunny 65F
Toss School to bat
Wicket Dry
Format 20/20

The College started with a maiden then after scoring 11 in the second over the School suffered a run out.18-1.Turns 11. Another wicket fell in the same over. 4-1-21-2
The College bowled well a good line and length which hampered the School. Ritzema hit a six in the fifth over but the only over in which double figures were conceded was the eighth and he was bowled for 33 in a wicket maiden twelfth. 12-3-64-3
Eleven were scored from the 17th but after losing three more wickets the innings closed at 99-6
The College openers scored steadily to reach 59 off 10 then School's offspinner Burdon curtailed them with a wicket maiden.Stevenson(33) Pears taking an excellent catch on the boundary facing straight into the sun. Hall bowled the other opener(27) and the College were 74 -2. Ritzema produced a run out in the 18th and the College needed 16 to win off two overs. This was accomplished with two straight sixes.
Result Durham 6th Form College won by 7 wickets
Durham School 99-6 (Ritzema 33, Robinson 14)
Durham 6th Form College 100-3 (Stevenson 33 A.N.Other 27, Hall 1-22, Burdon 1-7)

The College bowled well and School were well short of a competitive total and their openers gave them a strong start.

The next match is v Ampleforth College on Saturday 6 June on the Playground start 11.30 a.m.

20/5/09 Durham School v Stockton Cricket Academy on the Playground.

Weather Cloudy, sunny later 57F
Wicket Greenish colour
Toss Durham to bat
Format Originally scheduled to be 40 overs it was changed to 20/20 exams in progress.

Ritzema was dropped in the eighth over but there were no further chances as school reached 50 without loss in the tenth. Burdon hit a six over long on on the 13th twelve coming off that over. 13-0-78-0
The hundred was acheived in the 15th over when 16 were scored including a six by Ritzema. 15-0-103-0. Ritzema just failed to make his 50 being bowled for 49 and only two were scored in the 18th.18-0-119-1. Ten runs came from the next over but Burdon(53) was caught behind in the last, the innings closing at 132-2
The visitors had to get 6.6+ runs per over on a slow wicket. They took eight from the second and fourth with ten from the sixth but Hall had bowled Innes(11) in the fifth.Simms bowled 4 steady overs for 14 but the tenth and thirteenth overs cost 20 and Stockton were back up with the rate. 13-0-74-1. Elliott came on and with his third ball had McHugh(21) caught on the square leg boundary by Ritzema. 14-0-76-2.
After having a six hit Burdon had Atkinson l.b.w. with a ball that spun back catching him in front. 15-0-85-3 Elliott had two wickets in the 18th over Mitchell(1) was caught by Burdon at long on then with his next ball he bowled the incomer.18-0-103-4/5
Thirty off two was a tall order and Burdon took the wicket of Linton(Norton Premier League player) who had batted throughout for 46.19-0-108-6
Hall bowled the last over and Stockton finished on 112-6
Result Durham School won by 20 runs.

The score set by School did not appear enough but the wicket did not allow the ball to come on and Stockton experienced the same problem with Durham coping better.

The next match is on the Monday following the half term break against Durham Sixth Form College. 1/6/09 starting 3.45 p.m.on the Playground.

Rugby
Mickey Young O.D. scored the winning try for England in the I.R.B. Sevens Tournament at Twickenham. England defeated New Zealand 31-26 in the final. Young scoring the try in extra time.

RUGBY
Micky Young O.D. who plays for Newcastle Falcons has been selected for the England Saxons squad to play in the Churchill Cup.

16/5/09 Barnard Castle School v Durham School at Barnard Castle

Weather Overcast 50F
Wicket One of seven that had been relaid in July 08. Slow.
Toss Durham invited Barnard Castle to bat.
Format 20 overs from 5.30p.m.

Hall and Mitchell in their first spell opened the bowling for School limiting them to 22 off 12 overs including 3 maidens with only 1 four. Hall 6-1-8-0. Griffin who replaced Hall gave a single in his first over then claimed the first wicket knocking back Wilson's(16) middle stump.16-3-36-1. Six overs later the hosts had their 50 and Griffin's spell ended 5-0-15-1. Elliott had bowled economically from the other end. Durham had several vacancies in the XI because that evening was a highlight of the Music Department's year being Music for a Summer's Evening in consequence the bowler from tthe other end was inexperienced and conceded 14 runs.
Ritzema captain in the abscence of Turns grasped the situation and replaced him with Burdon. Lister hit two sixes as the score mounted. Barnard Castle reached 30-5-108-1 with two big overs in the 26th and 30th. Elliott who had contained the batsmen got a well deserved wicket in the 33rd over bowling Lister for 49. 33-5-117-2. Henderson in his second over was hit hard by Sutton(1) to Hall fielding at cover who made no mistake with the catch. 35-5-118-3.
The clouds were menacing and the rains came. Lunch.
Huck batting well was 50* in the 37th over but Barnard Castle lost Chapman(12) to a catch by Griffin off Hall 42-6-150-4. Durham ran out Upton(G) for 5 with a smart piece of fielding by Simms.47-6-171-5
Spark was next out for 8 to Elliott 51-6-191-6 and with just one added Mitchell had Huck caught ankle height full stretch by Griffin. 53-6-192-7. Romaines struck a six to take B.C. beyond 200 in the 56th over aand Henderson bowled a maiden in the 58th. Elliott was particularly unfortunate having two catches put down in the next over but Henderson in what proved to be the penultimate over had Mason caught by Griffin 60-7-224-8 and then Ritzema caught Arnott(10) again off Henderson two balls later. 60-7-225-9. Burdon caught Upton(B) for 1 at midwicket to give Elliott his third wicket and Barnard Castle were all out in the 61st over for 232.
Having lost time due to the weather and the prolonged innings of the hosts Durham did not start their innings until just before tea at 3.45p.m. The players came off at 4.05 for an early tea.2-0-7-0
Resuming at 4.25 School had eighty minutes and twenty overs to score 233. Approximately 42/45 overs.
At this point one of the sightscreens was blown over but restored in time for Ritzema to post the first four with a strike past the bowler. Ten were taken from the ninth over and eight off the 13th in which Burdon glanced a rising ball to the boundary. Ritzema driving was caught at long off 14-0-52-1 and the clouds became more menacing yet play continued. Hall was bowled 55-2 and then a rain delay of 20 minutes ensued. Barnard Castle now deployed close fielders to pressure Durham's batsmen. At this time Durham had no chance to win as a consequence of the weather and time although if the home side could get quick wickets they might win. Burdon(18) was caught and bowled 17-2-62-3.
Barnard Castle now deployed short leg,,silly mid on and off , mid on and mid off,four slips and a gully ten fielders all crowded around the batsman. Eight overs later Robinson and Elliott had kept their wickets intact and by mutual agreement play ended at 6p.m.
Result Match drawn
Barnard Castle School 232 (Lister 49, Huck 82, Romaines 25*, Hall-36, Mitchell 1-30, Elliott 3-63, Griffin 1-14, Henderson 3-38)
Durham School 67-3 (Ritzema 25, Burdon18)

What had been in prospect an exciting fixture became a dreary draw.

13/5/09 M.C.C. 235-5 dec, Durham School 201-6 match drawn.
Weather A cloudless sky. 54F
Wicket straw coloured, firm
Toss M.C.C. to bat
Format 20 overs from 5.30p.m

The Playgound was resplendent with the surrounding trees now in full leaf.
Turns started with a no ball but with his next had a close shout for l.b.w. which the umpire later told me was very close. The batsman edged to slip in Turns next over but the chance was not held.
Scoring at around 4 an over the M.C.C. had 54 off 13 before Burdon bowled a maiden. A short ball in his next over was thrashed off the meat of the bat at Deverson fielding at square leg.
Instinctively and bravely he tried to catch a fearsome ball and badly bruised his hand taking no further part in the game. The catch would have been miraculous.
Durham had only one chance before the visitors had 104 from 24 overs. Even Turns usually tight bowling came in for punishment as the score got to 155.
Elliott replaced Simms and went for nine runs then Drummond misjudged a seemingly innocuous delivery and from the bat the ball looped high and behind Turns who running backwards made a good catch and School's first wicket.32-1-155-1
Seven runs later Elliott bowled Holmewood.34-2-162-2. Only one run was scored before lunch taken at 35-3-163-2.
The first over after an excellent lunch saw Elliott trap Simon Birtwhistle O.D.caught at mid on off a leading edge.36-4-163-3. Elliott bowled another maiden and only six came from five overs with Robinson the keeper saving two wide balls down leg.
Now the M.C.C. hit out Buttleman hoisting the ball to the furthest part of the playing area for the first six. Another strike lofted the ball first into the sun and then the shade for Simms to take a difficult catch off Hall. 48-5-235-4. Ritzema caught a square cut ankle height for another good catch with Brydon the bowler. 49-5-235-5 Innings declared.
School had to score at five runs an over.
Turns punched a four off an overpitched delivery in the first over and two more boundaries in the 5th over. In the 7th over which took ten balls School scored 18 with Ritzema 2x4, 4 byes and a 2,3 and 2.
Only a single came from the next but with a change of bowling Durham had two more fours.9-1-54-0. The tenth over was a maiden but Ritzema hit the boundary again and the last over before tea was a maiden.13-2-60-0 (Ritzema 29* Turns 21*). Ritzema was l.b.w. straight after tea. 15-2-65-1 and five overs brought only eight runs. Turns broke the impasse with a c0ver drive(4) but two maidens followed.
Hall managed a leg glance(4) and Turns a drive off his back foot(4) then a change of bowling and the off spinner bowled Turns with a ball that looked to be going down leg by some margin.27-5-97-2.
Hall produced a crisp cover drive before Temple was l.b.w. 30-5-103-3. The last twenty overs were signalled with School 32-5-117-3 in the first of these Hall was run out going for a second run. 33-5-120-4.
Burdon and Elliott took up the challenge with Elliott a late cut bringing 4 and an offdrive by Burdon. The equation became more difficult and Elliott was run out in the quest for runs. 181-5
Robinson was soon out and this left Griffin 3* and Burdon 35* to deny the M.C.C. revenge for last years defeat whn the School won by 7 wickets. 201-6
Result Match drawn.
M.C.C. 235-5 dec. (Holmewood 95, Drummond 55, Buttleman 56, Hall 1-23, Brydon 1-29, Elliott 3-31)
Durham School 201-6 ( Ritzema 30, Turns 44, Hall 33, Elliott 30, Burdon 36*, Bugge 1-43, Kostoris 1-24, Austin 2-38)

This had been a respectable performance against an M.C.C. side containing several probationers who are always keen to do well, a couple of M.C.C. university players and a premier league player. There had been contributions as a team. MCC was denied revenge after Durham won by seven wickets last year!

The next game on 16th May is versus Barnard Castle away start 11.30 a.m.

Durham play the M.C.C. on Wed. 13/5/09
Any player for the School who scores 100 or takes 5 wickets will be invited to Lords for a day in a box.
This information has just been advised.

9/5/09 Royal Grammar School Newcastle v Durham School played at the Northumberland County Ground, Jesmond.

Weather Broken cloud 55F
Wicket Dry, flat, straw colour.
Toss R.G.S. to bat
Format 20 overs from 5.30 p.m

Newcastle had scored 11 in the first 5 overs when Turns induced a nick to slip which was not taken. They scored 8 in the next and in the 8th thereafter progressing slowly. The first wicket fell to Elliott when Mitchell caught Shaffiq for 33. It took until the 28th over before Durham took another this time Brydon bowling Young for 51. 28-0-116-2.
Brydon then had a wicket maiden with Carding(20) caught behind by Robinson. 31-1-127-3. He had another wicket in the 37th over bowling Mohammed(4) 37-2-148-4.
Drinks were taken after 38 overs with Jobson 27* 38-2-151-4.
Jobson was batting well placing his shots wide of the fielders and adding 9 in the 39th. This prompted a bowling change and Hall came back into the attack. His first ball prompted a top edge and a catch was missed. Jobson went on to complete his 50 in the 43rd over with a glance to 3rd man for 4.
R.G.S. reached the 200 in the 45th over scoring 13 off that over.
Turns now returned to bowl and Harms(23) drove to mid on where the ball was swiftly gathered, thrown in to demolish the stumps and he ran himself out. 48-2-218-5. In the 50th over Turns had a hat trick bowling Jobson(79), Isani(0) and Goodfellow(0) 50-2-227-8. Simms was successful in the next over having Choudry caught at gully by Ritzema. 51-2-227-9.
Lunch was taken at the end of the next over. 52-2-234-9 time 2.30p.m. Clouds had been gathering and almost as soon as the players left the field it started to rain. As I waited in my car the rain intensified and I doubted the game would recommence.
Eventually it stopped and substantial efforts by the ground staff permitted a restart at 3.40p.m. I was surprised that Newcastle continued their innings since it did not leave them time to bowl us out. Turns bowled Mckay in the 58th over. 58-2-257 all out.
The Durham innings began at 4.12p.m. allowing School 1 hour 18 minutes and 20 overs to get the runs. With 1 scored there was another delay of 4 minutes. In the 4th over Newcastle had an l.b.w. shout not given it was also a maiden. The innings developed with both Turns and Ritzema hitting boundaries 9-1-33-0. Turns smashed a six into the balcony of the Pavilion in the 10th over and he brought up the 50 with a square cut in the 12th. Ritzema(24) was the first wicket to fall when aware of the run rate he drove high to cover point and was caught. 14-1-64-1. Hall was the next man in and with Turns he raised the 100 taking 11 off the 19th over with a square cut and a pull both for 4. Hall(20) was out in the next over to a fine catch held low down at square leg.20-2-102-2 Wicket maiden. Temple arrived to partner Turns and batted aggressively with a four over the bowler and a straight drive for 6.
The innings was interrupted by a drinks interval after 20 overs with the final 20 due in 3 overs.This caused another over to be lost. After over 23 School were positioned at122-2 needing 137 off 20.
The 24th over yielded 12 then more positive batting brought the 50 partnership up and Turns half century, 27-2-150-2. With 9,10, and 9 from overs 4, 5 and 6 of the 20 ninety runs off fifteen was the requirement and Temple also had a half century. Twenty three runs came from five overs then Turns pulled through mid wicket and Durham had ten off the 35th .
In the 15th over both Turns and Temple hit boundaries. With 5 overs to go 27 needed. Turns was out caught at square leg for 89 in the 18th, 41-2-242-3. Our next man in was bowled and Durham had to get 12 off 2 overs.245-4.
Temple(86) hit hard almost horizontally to the extra cover boundary where the Newcastle fielder took a scorching catch. Durham wanted 11 off the last over but could only manage five. We only batted for 43 overs.
Result Match drawn
R.G.S. 257 (Young 51, Shafiq 33, Carding 20, Jobson 79, Harms 23, Turns 4-37, Brydon 3-30)
Durham School 251-5 (Ritzema 24, Hall 20, Turns 89, Temple 86)
This was a win denied by time. Perhaps last year influenced the tactics set 264 off 40 overs by R.G.S. Durham got the runs to win by two wickets.

Durham will play Kent Street from Australia on 25th June details later.
The Sedbergh batting omitted from the report were D.Bell 53 and H.Wilson 43.
Durham girls hockey have beaten Sedbergh in the last two seasons.
Gordon Muchall O.D. hit 106 not out for Durham C.C.C. v Sussex in the County Championship.

School play the M.C.C. on the Playground Wed.13/5/09 start 11.30 a.m.and Barnard Castle away on Sat. 16/5/09 start 11.30 a.m.

2/5/09 Durham School v Sedbergh School on the Playground.

Weather Sunny 58C
Wicket dry
Toss Durham won the toss and decided to bat.
Format 110 overs Team batting allotted 58 max.

School started with a bye and two leg byes despite an athletic take by the Sedbergh wicket keeper. A crisp drive by Turns(4) and 7 had come off the first over. By the end of the 4th both Ritzema and Turns had added more boundaries 4-0-23-0. Sedbergh then allowed only six to be scored in the next five overs and Durham lost the wicket of their captain Turns(16) caught at slip. 8-3-28-1. Hall produced a square cut(4) in the 9th but tight bowling by the visitors restricted scoring opportunities. Clarke who took five wickets in last seasons match was introduced and began with a maiden.
Durham took a quick single in the next then attempting another Ritzema had to slide full length when a return spreadeagled the stumps. Their keeper was standing up to fast bowlers and with no one at long leg Hall(9) was able to glance for four but was out caught behind. 20-6-49-2. The parsimonious bowling continued. Temple was caught off an uppish drive(8) 28-7-76-3.
Lunch was taken after 33 overs the last two of which had been maidens.
Only 53 had been scored in 25 overs since Turns was out but Ritzema who had opened the innings was still there. 33-9-81-3. Resuming,12 were taken from the 34th but School lost Elliott(5) l.b.w.in the next.34-9-93-4. Progress continued to be slow - six scored in the 38th was followed by Ritzema(44) being bowled by Harrison 39-9-110-5. A drive for 4 by Robinson spoiled a wicket maiden and he and Burdon pushed the run rate up with four boundaries although Burdon was dropped twice in their partnership of 30. Burdon(22) was caught at mid wicket off Clarke.49-9-140-6. Griffin was next out caught at backward gully 50-9-145-7. Then Robinson(14) was caught low down another catch for gully. 51-9-146-8, followed by Mitchell run out by a direct hit. 51-9-146-9.
Deverson hit two runs* and Simms(2)was bowled by Bell. 54-9-152-10.

Apart from two missed catches, the Sedbergh fielding and bowling had been excellent with the keeper outstanding. Sedbergh were untroubled by Durham's bowling and in the nine overs before tea were 41 without loss.Bell 23*. The eight overs after the interval took Sedbergh to 93 when they lost Bell (53) run out by Ritzema with a fast direct hit.17-0-93-1. The hundred came up in the 18th in which Sedbergh scored 13. The 21st over brought a wicket for Deverson when he bowled ??? with his leg spin. 23-0-130-2. Griffin had a catch dropped off his bowling in the next over then in the 25th a skier off Deverson went very high. Ritzema adjusted his position, caught the ball then it sprang out of his hands, he caught it once more but like a hot potato it jumped out again, this time he made sure clutching it as he fell over. 25-0-140-3. Sedbergh won with two successive fours having hit 20 boundaries in their total.
Result Sedbergh won by 7 wickets.
Durham School 152 ( Ritzema 44, Burdon 22, Harrison 2-30, Bell 3-35, Clarke 2-14, McCluskie1-14, Pimlott1-5)
Sedbergh School 155-3 ( Bell 53, Deverson 2-24)

Durham came up against a fine team in Sedbergh and we were outplayed. Several of their players have attracted the interest of Counties. Jordan Clarke. Harrison and their keeper who demonstrated their talent. School play Barnard Castle on Tuesday 4 p.m. in a 20/20 and R.G.S. on Saturday 9/5/09 start 11.30a.m.
Mark Trowbridge (O.D.) an architecture student at Newcastle came to watch.
The new Head was present and Derek Best his deputy who gave so much valuable assistence to the organisers of the Australian tour.
There was a good attendance at the Durham School Open Morning so I was able talk to Paul Gerard and Ben Mason about the rugby.
Gordon Bell O.D.(41-45) and Peter Bell O.D.(70-77) were there.
Fergus Bell (O.D.) who left recently played for Hibernian in the team that defeated Rangers 2-1 to win the U.19 Scottish Cup.
Rory Bell presently at school played for the U.13 Barbarians in Cardiff which defeated Wales 35-9.

Sedbergh played Giggleswick recently bowling them out for 62 which they knocked off for two wickets.
The 20/20 game v B.Castle was cancelled at the last moment. I arrived for the start but the conditions were unplayable. Only a mile down the road it was dry.
The next match is against R.G.S ON Sat. 9/5/09 start 11.30 a.m.
It is possible to see some of our opponents results on the www.schoolscricketonline.co.uk website.
The data for the Sedbergh innings will be posted when available.

Next games

The match on Sunday 10th May is postponed to 21/6/09.
Tuesday 5/5/09 20/20 v Barnard Castle away 4 p.m.
Saturday 9/5/09 v R.G.S start 11.30 a.m at the County Ground, Jesmond.
Sedbergh beat Giggleswick on Wed. score later.

Cricket results are no longer published in the Times. I send them to what was the Times correspondent but he has moved everything onto the internet.
School results for England and Scotland are available from www.schoolscricketonline.co.uk

The following have been extracted from schools c etc
Barnard Castle 168-8 (50 ovs.) Sedbergh 169-5
R.G.S. Ncle. 229(50 ovs.) Barnard Castle 230-2 S.Lister 105*

Other interesting titbits
Gordon Muchall O.D. scored 51 not out for Durham against Yorkshire. In the ensueing game against Somerset he scored 68. Playing against him was James Hildreth who scored 303 not out earlier in the season. Hildreth played for Millfield when Durham School played there some years ago. Another member of the Millfield XI was Rory Hamilton-Brown now of Surrey a centurion this season.

S Lister son of the Barnard Castle coach scored 106 recently and Sedbergh beat Barney last Sat, they played Giggleswick on Wed.

Next match.
followed by Sat. 2/5/09 First XI v Sedbergh on the Playground start 11.30 a.m.

29/4/09 Yarm School v Durham School at Yarm

Weather Sunny
Toss Durham to bat.
Wicket Soft, it had been hard but with no covers and two days of intermittent rain it had been affected..
Format 20 overs

Last year School had put on 180 odd but that was on a covered wicket at Durham. It was evident from the start that the batsmen would have to devise a different approach. Turns and Ritzema opened and scored 19 off 4, then Turns hit a four and Ritzema a six. Thereafter the innings proceeded at around four runs an over until the twelth when fourteen were taken. Both openers were out in the thirteenth. 13-0-76-2. The next over was a wicket maiden for Yarm and School were 3 down for 76. With Hall at the other end Elliott managed a boundary but was caught. 17-1-90-4. Meanwhile Hall thumped essential runs fifteen coming from the 18th over and he was bowled going for another big hit School realising 116-5 off 20.
This did not look large enough if Yarm had a slogger or two.
Durham made a great start with two maidens from Hall and Mitchell. Yarm managed on average 3/4 runs an over losing Thomas(5) bowled Burdon. 8-2-24-1. Johnston became more aggressive with nine and six off the 9th and 10th overs. Fourteen came via a hoist to mid wicket, a drive over mid off and a straight drive. 11-2-53-1.
Ten overs to get 64 it looked on.
Burdon took two wickets in the 12th over bowling Johnston(32) the threat and Russell-Hughes(9) 12-2-55-3. Griffin also took a wicket in the next over bringing a ball back from off to hit eg, Majid(H) 13-2-56-4. The scenario had changed and Yarm were on the defensive but the game took another twist with the arrival of Kitching. Striking the ball well he hit 11 off the 14th was not on strike in the fifteenth then hammered Ritzema high between three fielders none of whom could reach the catch followed by two sixes. Ritzema took that vital wicket when Kitching struck straight and low to go past the bowler.
Ritzema reacted and scooped up the catch. 16-2-85-5. Despite some frantic hits Yarm were kept in check limited to 21 off the last five.

Result Durham School won by 10 runs.
Durham School 116-5 (Ritzema 31, Turns 33. Hall 20, Thomas 1-16, Russell-Hughes 1-17, Shyan-Sunder 1-22, Majid(J) 2-14).
Yarm School 106-6 ( Johnston 32, Kitching 28, Burdon 3-12, Griffin 1-18, Ritzema 1-21).

Yarm came the nearest to defeating our first XI since the fixture began. We had difficulty with the pace and Yarm had two big hitters which we got out just in time.

25/4/09 Giggleswick School v Durham School at Giggleswick

Weather Match played in sunshine.
Toss Durham to field
Wicket Green strip with grass firm underneath.
Format 45 overs changed to 40 overs.

A lovely ground surrounded by a dry stone wall and trees it was dominated by the impressive domed chapel. Blazing sunshine in the east became hazy and then overcast as one travelled west. As soon as the players emerged drizzle started. Hall bowled a couple of balls and play stopped. Giggleswick were quick to bring on covers. After a few showers another effort was made to start but the rain intensified
and the covers were placed again. At 2.25p.m. the keen cricketers started in light drizzle which eventually ceased and a 40 over game started. By 2.38 watery sunshine appeared.
Both Hall and Mitchell got some nip in their first overs. In the fourth a ball was hit to the far boundary. Ritzema chased and managed to retrieve it. His long, strong throw went to Mitchell at the bowlers end, Mitchell realising the runner was half down the pitch threw to the other end where wicketkeeper Robinson calmly removed the bails running Lungren(5) out. 4-1-18-1. Next Pears saved a certain four with a piece of good fielding.
In the seventh over Gemmell hit a cover drive which went like a rocket but 4 byes as well made it 8 off the over. There were two Gemmell Brothers playing both talented sportsmen. One plays for the Yorkshire Cricket Academy and the other rugby for the County another pupil, Reid plays for Cumbria. The next over was a maiden. Giggleswick's 50 arrived in the 12th over. Mitchell took punishment conceding a four over long on, a four past square leg then McCackern sliced the ball hard deep into Hall's midriff with a mighty hit. Hall is a man who enjoys his food and this catch showed the importance of good eating since it remained there until the catch was given.
Hall bowled Gemmell (M) for 20 when the batsman completely missed a full toss. 13-3-57-3. Now it was sunny with only scattered cloud.
With statutory bowling changes Giggleswick's score mounted with Reid prominent hitting a straight drive for six. Ritzema captaining in Turns absence moved fielders to the boundary edge but the power of the batsmans strokes was such that often they did not have time to move. In 11 overs Giggleswick added 61 then Burdon bowled Gemmell (C) for 25 in a wicket maiden, 25-4-118-4. After taking 12 off the 26th over Durham had another wicket when Reid tried to cut a wide ball and got an edge to Robinson. 32-4-166-5. Giggleswick piled on the pressure scurrying between the wickets, taking chances and defying the fielders to reach 212 in 40 overs.

Ritzema drove for 4 past the bowler in the first over but lost his wicket to Reid in the 5th skying a bouncer. 5-1-21-1. School hit 9 off the 8th but Reid had worked up his pace and bowling very fast had a maiden in the 9th. Hall leaned into his stroke to leg(4) in the 10th. Burdon(16) was caught off an uppish drive in the next.11-2-43-2. A change of bowlers was welcomed bt hall with a succession of boundaries two cover drives and a late cut bringing 12 off the 17th over. Temple scored 8 in the 18th and Hall 8 in the 20th. A further 8 came in the 21st and 9 in the 22nd. With 6 in the 25th Durham needed 85 off 15.
My notes indicate the hope that this positive partnership would continue but Hall misjudged a straight ball and was bowled by Strickland 26-2-129-3. Strickland then bowled Temple in the 28th. 28-3-138-4. Robinson(4) produced a fine cut but was lbw 30-3-148-5. Griffin(6) was bowled by Gemmell. 31-3-153-6.
65 runs necessary off 10 overs.
Elliott(18) the last of the recognised batsman was bowled by Strickland. 32-3-159-7, and the innings collapsed. 161-8, 174-9 to 181 all out.

Result Giggleswick won by 31 runs.
Giggleswick School 212 (McCackern 27, Gemmell(M) 20, Gemmell(C) 25, Reid 53, Strickland 42*, Elliott 26*, Hall 1-37, Mitchell 1-31, Burdon 1-24, Griffin 1-33)
Durham School (Hall 42, Temple 45, Strickland 4-29, Reid 2-25, Gemmell(M)2-16, Gemmell(C) 1-40)

Giggleswick produced a plentiful and tasty tea thank you also some good cricketers. They had some robust hitters. A poor start disadvantaged Durham and just when we were getting on terms, Giggleswick produced Strickland to destroy our batting.