New cricket season – Trio unavailable as Barnard Castle begin defence of NYSD title

Barnard Castle CC

AFTER a predictably soggy start to the 2017 season, Barnard Castle start the defence of their NYSD title this Saturday.
The club’s third team were prevented from taking to the field on Easter Sunday for their first match by heavy rain that at least spared the centre pitch on which James Finch’s team will begin their attempt to retain the championship against Norton.
It will be by no means straightforward with three  first choice players missing.
New batsman Greg Upton, expected to fill the number three slot, is on important duties with Barnard Castle RUFC as they attempt to secure promotion from Durham/ Northumberland 1; all rounder Simon Tennant is at a wedding and wicket keeper Phil Merryweather suffered an ankle injury playing for Bowes FC on Saturday which is likely to keep him out of action for a month.
There is enough strength in depth for the captain not to be too concerned but there was expected to be healthy debate around the wicket keeping role.
The team are also in action on Sunday in the first round of the Royal London Cup, the ECB national knock-out competition, for which they qualified by winning the league.
The opponents will be Dunnington from the Yorkshire League and Upton and Tennant will be recalled for this match.
Skipper Finch said: “It will be a good test for us to go into the season without our preferred team and gives an opportunity to some of the other guys immediately.
Our team spirit is superb and while Norton will be no pushovers and are one of the more solid sides, I am sure we can give a good account of ourselves, since pre-season training has gone brilliantly.”
The club’s 2nd XI are away at Maltby CC.
At last week’s annual meeting, most officials were re-elected, with Finch again leading the first team, Adam Bainbridge in charge of the second team and Andrew Toulson now skipper of the thirds.
Secretary Steve Steen delivered an upbeat report to the meeting which stressed not only the successful playing side but the continuing efforts to ensure that Barnard Castle CC prospers as a community club.