Chester-le-Street Victorious In Thrilling Finals Day   You are here: Home » News Detail

Chester-le-Street - 2012 NEPL T20 Champions

Chester-Le-Street Cricket Club will represent the Dukes North East Premier League (NEPL) in the ECB National T20 Cup after victory at the league’s T20 Finals Day.

It is the third time the county Durham side have won the competition, in what was the fifth NEPL T20 Finals day.

Chester-Le-Street are now one step closer to the inaugural National T20 Cup Finals day which is televised live on Sky Sports and played at Edgbaston.

In what has been the wettest of summers, the day was played out under blue skies and sunshine as around 350 people watched three incident packed games of Twenty20 cricket.

Chester-le-Street won the morning semi-final against Blaydon, chasing down 113 with three wickets and five balls in hand.

The second semi-final saw hosts Stockton, who were making their first appearance at Finals Day edge out South Northumberland, two-time NEPL T20 winners and one-time National Club T20 champions.

Stockton batted first and posted 116 for 7 with captain Kevin Ward leading the way with 30 from 20 balls, while South Northumberland were held to 111 for 9 clinching a famous Stockton win by five runs.

So the Co-operative Funeralcare T20 Final saw hosts Stockton batting first against defending champions Chester-le-Street.

The Teessiders were off to a flying start thanks to Tom Coulthard at the top of the order, and Keaton Jennings stroked a 51-ball 55 with six fours.

Jonathan Rickard added 30 from just 22 balls, and the whole order contributed to a 20-over total of 140/8.

The Grangefield ground was rocking and the noise was even louder as Richard Waite trapped John Coxon leg-before without scoring in the first over of the Cestrians' innings.

It was 23/2 when Simon Birtwisle's stumps were rearranged by Keaton Jennings, and the home fans smelled another upset.

The Chester-le-Street third wicket pair of Gary Scott and Andrew Smith, however, dashed the Stockton hopes.

Scott blasted two huge sixes in a 26-ball 31.

Smith also starred with the bat hitting 75 not out from 58 balls with three fours and three sixes.

Even a stunning one handed diving catch from Jimmy Ward to dismiss Liam Simpson couldn't prevent a third Chester-le-Street success in the competition.

A single from the first ball of the final over brought the win for Chester-le-Street by six wickets.

 Andrew Smith was named Man of the Match for his dazzling knock which guided the Cestrians home.