[superkingdave]

the first game was against coutny crickets whippinh boys Durham at the riverside. The pitch was lovely and captain Scott Craze had no qualms in batting first. The only unavailability was Rueben Thomas who was out for 4 weeks with a broken finger.

Eclipse and Blewy strode out to the wicket fully expecting to bash the ball to all parts, it didn't quite work out like that though. Eclispe could have gone first ball, an edge flying past gully but safe. Several played and missed and LBW shouts later Brinkley bowled Blewy for 19, and it was the start of a collapse - Eclipse was lBW for 20 and Bluefox was bowled for 1. 56-3!
However captain Craze(44) and BK Smith counterattacked well to put on 97 for the 4th wicket. Young wicketkeeper Gray then joined in and made slow progress as Smith pounded a half century off 69 balls. The century partnership was only broken when Smith had reached his century and the Web were back in charge. Cloete went fairly cheaply but Gray reached a century before Richards batted with the tail to plunder another century. Cricket Web in charge with 523

the pitch was fabulous though and Durham made slow and steady progress, although Hall and Mr Wright got a wicket each. Durham got to 259 for 2 before the dismissal of Lewis instigated a collapse that nearly caused Durham to follow on - only a last wicket stand of 34 saved them.

the Web needed to push the score along but Eclipse, Blewy, Blaze and Smith all went quickly 34-4 and in trouble, no 3 Bluefox came to the rescue with 100 of 104 balls, cricket web declaring an hour before lunch on day 4 on 231-5 a lead of 362.

Durham began well and nearly reached lunch without losing a wicket but Cloete struck in the last over - the start of a good spell. 3 wickets fell in the afternoon but at 125-4 at tea, the draw wa favorite. Enter the spinners to wipe out the middle and lower order, durham 9 down with 20 mins left. no further wickets fell unitl the last over when Mister Wright managed to get Killen out caught behind - Durham all out 186 Cricket web win their first CC match