PONT’S Friendly side managed to beat the weather but not Alnmouth in their first game of the season.
It was only a light persistent drizzle at Alnmouth so it was possible to play a 30 over game. Batting first, Alnmouth’s openers took advantage of some good fortune and poor Ponteland fielding to score an unbeaten 118 out of 166-4.
Two late wickets to Stuart Taylor followed up on one each for Ashley Parker and Alex Gray.
In reply, despite being hampered by Chauhan’s non appearance the top order managed to keep up with the run rate, Neil Pinnock opening up with a rapid 47 and James Robinson recording his first ever six as Ponteland raced to 87-2 at the halfway point.
Stuart Taylor (20) and James Bates kept the required rate around six an over and Andy Denyer and Chris Barlow also played their part.
But the penultimate over proved crucial as Barlow was bowled and only two runs scored to leave 11 to win from the final over. Two more wickets fell to leave Bates on 47* and Ponteland were defeated by six runs.
• Bad weather earlier in the week meant Ponteland’s First and Second XI matches against Greenside were cancelled.