"Home of Hudson"

The 2011 season is fast approaching, the captains of various sides in the North East Premier League were summoned to a meeting at HQ last night to discuss the new rules and regs for the season, (the most ridiculous so far seems to be about bowlers not being able to allow the ball to bounce when warming up) and this got to me to thinking about how the league was going to go this year. So I thought it might be an idea to familiarise the shallow pool of my readership with a summary of the sides and my predictions for the season.

BENWELL HILL  – A good side with a solid batting spine of Mark Dale, Ali Maiden & Phil Nicholson supplemented by top professionals Zohaib Khan, David Rutherford & Will Smith (DCCC). The Hill have added Dan Young from Tynemouth but lost opening bowler Craig Smith. Bowling seems to rely very heavily on pros but should do well again.

My prediction for 2011 3rd 

BLAYDON – A traditionally strong side in something of transition following the loss of stalwart Mark Drake to Tynedale & Kris McShane to South Shields. Players in are Paul Underwood, Craig Simpson, Chris Varley (Seaham Park) and an overseas from New Zealand who is highly rated. Should do well again.

My prediction for 2011 6^th 

CHESTER LE ST – League powerhouse and champions of last 2 years have added Iain Hunter from Derbyshire but lost Luke Evans (Northants). Class acts, will be focusing on national comps again as well as league, may struggle to hold of a resurgent South Northumberland.

My prediction for 2011 2^nd 

DURHAM CA – Youths with a fine battery of pace bowling and a top batting line up. Jamie Harrison, Jonny Killeen and Callum Harding are sharp, and Ben Raine and Clark are fine batters. Big things expected of Josh Bousfield too. May regret no frontline spinner.

My prediction for 2011 5th 

GATESHEAD FELL – The Fell last season relied heavily on Tom Latham, Karl Turner and Barry Stewart. All have left an no proven quality has come in to replace. Rumours of problems with overseas acquisition Cameron Robb (WA) who was scheduled to skipper the side leads to the conclusion for a tough tough season.

My prediction for 2011 12^th 

HETTON LYONS – Little is known about the Lyons, though they have signed an overseas quick from WA and retained the core of last years batting line up with Gary Scott, Shaun Birbeck and John Tindale pretty formidable.

My prediction for 2011 8th 

NEWCASTLE – Newcastle are reeling from last years captain (and leading wicket taker) Guy Saxton leaving the club. They have signed Ben Langrope (NZ) and Prateek Kar (Newcastle Uni) to shoulder the bowling burden and retained the services of Michael Richardson (DCCC). They have also signed Jamie Atkinson from Durham Uni to augment their batting.

My prediction for 2011 7^th 

SOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND – Traditional powers who will be coming to terms with not winning the league last year, having to settle for the National Club Championship and being finalists in National T20 instead. Top line up, introduction of Mark Wood (DCCC) to replace Chris Hooker (Sunderland) could be pivotal, depending on the availablitity of the former. Backing the Bulls this year though.

My prediction for 2011 1^st 

SOUTH SHIELDS – Shields had a really tough year last season, and with skipper and talisman Matthew Muchall injured for most of 2011 they may struggle again. An Aussie seamer has been brought in to assist with this workload and they welcome back McShane from Blaydon. A young side with improving batters.

My prediction for 2011 11^th 

STOCKTON – Stockton have signed Karl Turner (ex DCCC) who will strengthen their batting and seam attack. They have retained John Rickard also, but the bowling looks a little light, particularly the spin department.

My prediction for 2011 9th 

SUNDERLAND – Last seasons underachievers. On paper a good side has been strengthened by Kieran Waterson and Chris Hooker, with rumours of Marlon Black following them to Ashbrooke. Dan Shurben will be expecting a better year this year and if Ash Thorpe stays fit they will take some stopping, particularly if Chris Rushworth (DCCC) is available and rumoured acquisition of big West Indian materialises.

My prediction for 2011 4^th 

TYNEMOUTH – Been busy over the winter securing signatures of Dan Newton, Rameez Shahzad and Barry Stewart (skipper) to replace Dan Young and Shahid Nazir. Improving youngsters such as Matthew Brown and Greg Hollins should add more to the batting too. Andrew Smith will be hoping for a better year this year. If Scott Borthwick plays a lot they will do well but think he will be in DCCC squad a lot.

My prediction for 2011 10th 

So there you have it. No doubt some of my peers will reject my opinions but that’s the beauty of it. No matter what 2011 promises to be a high class season in the North East Premier League.