Saturday 29th June 2008

Hartlepool Power Station vs Loftus

The match everyone had been waiting for, Hartlepool Power Station vs Loftus. 1^st vs 2^nd. Loftus haven’t been beaten in the league in 2 years and never been beaten in the league at home for 4 years. Nevertheless Hartlepool took the long trip to Loftus in high spirits and confident of coming home with a victory despite missing a few key players, most notably Kiwi fast bowler Brent Mackie.

Skipper Michael Burton nursing a broken finger lost the toss again! Loftus put Power into bat. After losing an early wicket Mick Jordan (24) and Damien Lathan (19) steadied the innings with a vital 40 partnership. After a brief slog from Zafurullah (12) the order momentarily collapsed but Liam Prosser (43) stuck around and hit some fantastic sixes to wow the usual confident home crowd. He was well supported from Andy Walford (14) in a partnership that was worth 44, as Hartlepool were all out for a slightly disappointing 136.

Exceptional fielding, bowling and sense of belief helped Power Station bowl Loftus all out for 125. Pearson (3-34) bowled beautifully. Wallace, consistent as ever with (2-25). Walford (2-27) again very impressive. But Prosser capped off a man of the match performance with (3-32).

Power Station sensationally won by 12 runs and made everyone in the league stand and take notice of exactly what they inevitably will achieve.

Power are now the only team in both divisions to remain unbeaten.

Sunday 22nd June 2008

Hartlepool Power Station vs Ormesby Hall B (Cup)

The weather won on Saturday vs Paragonians at grayfields. No play was possible after a frustrating spell of rain.

All fixtures were affected and no further ground in the league was lost. Power Station still remain unbeaten and keep the pressure on Loftus at the top.

Paragonians must be happy with the 6 points they got for the cancellation as the relegation certainties will have been very lucky to get anything else out of the game if the game had gone ahead.

It has been stated that the league is mediocre this year but we feel it’s far from it. Loftus have in the past walked the league, but now Hartlepool are putting up a real challenge and making them sweat like never before.

Sunday was a cup game vs Ormesby Hall. In storm like winds, the game was always going to be testing for both sides. Struggling for numbers due to work and personal commitments Power had a side with only 3 or 4 first teamers. The score didn’t reflect that as they posted a very respectable 132 in the allotted 30 overs. Johnny Watt and Cameron Watson hitting some much needed big boundaries.

Poor fielding in the end cost them the game as Marty Johnson was the pick of the bowlers.

Saturday 21st June 2008

Hartlepool Power Station vs Paragonians

Hartlepool Power Station 2nd XI vs Ormesby Hall

Both matches abandoned due to high winds

Result: Draw for both sides for both games:-(

Saturday 14th June 2008

Hartlepool Power Station vs Staithes

Hartlepool Power Station 2nd XI vs Hinderwell

Although missing quite a few big names, a high energy performance in the field and some good batting, especially from opener Mick Jordan, the Power Station ensured maximum points away to Staithes.

Newcomers Johnny Watts and stand in wicket keeper Clive Rathbone helped create a tense environment for the home team whilst batting as both performed superbly in the field and behind the stumps respectively.  With some superb seam and swing bowling from Gary Crawley (3-23), Gerry Burton (4-29) and Michael Burton (3-10) the Staithes batsmen struggled to cope and were bowled out for 91.  Just to confirm the amount of swing and seam on show was the fact that every wicket to fall was either bowled or LBW!!

In reply the visitors weren’t really troubled and with Mick Jordan in superb form, scoring an entertaining 43, victory was never in doubt with the Power Station winning by 5 wickets which sees them move back to second place behind Loftus.

Power Station will go into Saturday’s league game vs local rivals Paragonians confident of keeping the pressure on at the top of the table.

Power Station 2^nd team didn’t have the best of weekends, losing heavily at Hinderwell. But again still sitting pretty in the 2^nd division.

Saturday 7th June 2008

 Hartlepool Power Station vs Nunthorpe Merlin

Hartlepool Power Station 2nd XI vs Nunthorpe Merlin 2nd XI

A disappointing weekend for Hartlepool Power Station 1st XI. Despite massive amounts of effort from the players during the week to get the water off the pitch. The game vs Nunthorpe Merlin’s 1st team was eventually called off. This was a huge blow to Hartlepool’s title race as Loftus rubbed salt in the wounds and increased the gap at the top. Hartlepool are so far unbeaten and have kept hot on the heels of Loftus throughout, but this latest set back due to the weather means the matches vs Loftus are must win games.

Hartlepool Power Station 2nd XI on the other hand won against Nunthorpe Merlin’s 2nd team to shift themselves to a respectable third in the 2nd division in their maiden season. Hartlepool batting first were 93 all out and Nunthorpe must have thought they were in pole position. Kiwi, Brent Mackie however turned out for the second team and grabbed his 4th 5 wicket haul of the season ripping through their batting attack and finishing with incredible figures of 5-11. He was well supported by South African all rounder Cameron Watson with figures of 4-34. Hartlepool 2nd XI won by 39 runs, skittling Nunthorpe all out for 54.

Thursday 29th & Saturday 31st May 2008

Hartlepool Power Station vs Ormesby Hall A

Hartlepool Power Station vs Dormans

Hartlepool Power Station 2nd XI vs Ormesby Hall B

Hartlepool Power Station were missing a few big names in their mid week cup match vs Ormesby Hall and the score reflected that when Ormesby posted a massive (183-6) in 20 overs. Graeme Wallace the only saviour with (3-36). With fading light Power put up an excellent fight but to no avail. Michael Burton hitting an excellent (66) and Mick Jordan a very credible (20). Hartlepool could only muster (135-7).

Meanwhile Power Station B played away to Ormesby Hall. Batting first posted a respectable (130). Johnny Watt star of the show with (34). They didn’t have an answer to Ormesby’s batting attack and they reached their target comfortably losing only one wicket to the bowling of Cameron Watson.

Man of the Match(s): Michael Burton & Brent Mackie

Saturday 24th & 25th May 2008

Hartlepool Power Station vs Billingham Synthonia

Hartlepool Power Station 2nd XI vs Cowpen Bewley

Hartlepool Power Station vs Dormanstown

A busy weekend for Hartlepool Power Station. Saturday saw them play host to newly promoted Billingham Synthonia. Power Station batting first posted a very respectable 173-7. Michael Burton star of the innings with an unbeaten 71 which included eight fours and a six. Billingham in reply looked to be off to a great start until they lost one of their opening batsmen. They then decided a draw would suffice and shut up shop rather frustratingly. 106-6 match drawn. Crawley and Wallace bowling well with a few wickets each.

Sunday again brought visitors in the shape of Dormanstown. Tight fielding and bowling kept them down to 120 all out. Crawley and Burton with 3 wickets each. Mark Elliot, Damien Lathan and Liam Prosser saw the game home for Power Station with 31, 25 not out and 19 respectively. Power Station winning for the loss of 6 wickets.

Power Station B beat the weather for the first time this season and got off to a winning start. Away vs Cowpen Bewley saw them bowl the home team out for 119. Josh Bragman star of the bowlers with figures of 4-25. Gary Bragman ensured maximum points with an excellent innings of 60 not out.

Man of the Match(s): Michael Burton, Gary Bragman & Damien Lathan

Saturday 17th May 2008

Hartlepool Power Station 1st XI vs New Marske

Venue: New Marske

Abandoned due to unfit pitch and weather conditions...

In other words (they bottled it!)

Result: Draw

Sunday 11th May 2008

Hartlepool Power Station 1st XI vs Cowpen Bewley

Venue: Cowpen Bewley

A very misty chill in the air at Hartlepool prior to the game so it was a pleasant surprise they was Sun when we arrived in Billingham. Cowpen struggled to get numbers together for this Sunday cup match. So rather than postponing we offered to help with players of our own who were desperate to play their first game of the season.

The batting order was shifted slightly and Mark opened with Big Fitz. They both played really well and the fifty partnership was reached in no time at all. Fitz departed for a solid (34) which included 3 boundaries. Mark again carried on where he left off in the previous game and made a respectable (41). Brent was a surprise promotion @ no 3 and he only could muster (9) but not before hitting a huge 6 into the field below Roseberry Topping! Mick Jordan looking to improve on last weeks dissapointment looked to be batting confidently until communication was lacking in another silly run out. He went for unlucky for some (13). Chrissy King and Damo in truth never really got started and were gone for (10) each. Liam Prosser was by far the star of the show with shots a plenty. He made bowlers pay for some short bowling and his innings ended on an excellent (60) which included six 4's and a 6! With a couple of overs remaining Burty hit an unbeaten (12*) and the unorthodox Wallace (4*).

Hartlepool Power Station 202 for 7

200 on this pitch may as well been 500. Again the bowling attack was adjusted slightly with last years Players Player of the Year Graham Wallace opening the bowling with Paul Stockil. It didnt take long for Wallace to get off the mark with a wicket caught by Liam, which was turning out to be a great day for him!. The King got in on the act with a comical trademark grass roller, bowling thier skipper/groundsman Graham Havert. Liam followed up his impressive batting display with a wicket. Stockil also got a wicket caught by Damo in Silly Mid-Off. Fitzy got his season off to a flying start with figures of (3-3) in 3 overs. Brent after an unusual sloppy start by his standards eventually added to his tally with (3-8) which included a fine catch from Burton. This took the 5ft 11 Kiwi to 10 wickets in 2 games!

Cowpen Bewley 45 all out

Another professional performance by the Power Station. We went in to the match confident but not over confident and went about our job correctly. Thank you to all the lads who turned out for their team. Skipper was watching and must of been impressed with some of the performances...

Hartlepool Power Station won by 157 runs

Man of the Match: Liam Prosser

Saturday 3^rd May 2008

Hartlepool Power Station 1^st XI vs Smith’s Dock A

Venue: Away @ Parklands

Perfect weather conditions for the opening game of the season vs Smiths Dock. Sun was shining, not much wind and with no hint of rain heading our way. Word on the Grapevine was that they were desperate to get this game on as they were pretty confident they could get a result today after flying through Divison 2 and remaining unbeaten in the process. We on the other hand had other ideas and felt just as confident and were happy to get the game started.

Looking at the pitch before hand, it was green and looked as though it was to be a difficult day. The outfield looked slow and boundaries were probably going to be few and far between.

We lost the toss and they put us into bat. Mark and Chris stepped out and our observations of the pitch were proved correct as the bounce was uneven. One would pop up, the next one would roll!

Scoring was slow and that would prove the case all afternoon. Chris went for (2). Burty went for (10) after been caught and bowled by Fox. Mark soon followed after Liam said no to a single and as a result was run out. A very useful (30) runs that perhaps was worth double that on another pitch. Mick never really got started and was caught for a (duck). Liam was next to go for (25) after been bowled by Fox. Not before some big hitting which forced the field to the boundary. Fitzy and Damo steadied the innings until a bizarre run out when Damo departed for (8). Fitzy hit a credible (15). Brent and Gerry both scored (6). Tweedy got the season off to an unlucky start with a (Golden Duck). The ball to be very fair didn’t bounce at all. Graeme Wallace finished (1) not out.

Our Innings ended on 113 All Out

Although not a massive score we always felt 100 would be enough. The pitch and our newly appointed, fearsome bowling pair made us need not worry. Fitz and Big Brent opened the bowling and struck fear into Smiths Dock batting lineup. Their innings were short lived as Brent ripped through and finished with figures of (7-9) beating his previous best (7-15) vs Paragonians last season. Brent was supported by some very clever and unpredictable bowling from Gerry Burton who also finished with impressive figures (3-5). Wallace and Fitz were also very tidy. Fielding was also impressive as Tweedy and Mick showed us just how it’s done….Wooooooo!

Smiths Docks innings came to an end. 36 All out.

Hartlepool Power Station won by 77 runs.

Man of the Match: Brent Mackie