JUST eight weeks into the season, Tynedale have achieved their pre-season target.

An incredible start to the 2017 campaign saw them pick up a sixth league win at the weekend, the number captain Tom Cant had hoped for throughout the season in order to fight relegation from Division A1 after predicting a tough season following the loss of key players.

Conversely, the Hexham team find themselves second in the table and just one point off leaders Swalwell. From the opening eight weeks, they have won six and lost just once, the other fixture falling foul to the weather.

An excellent all-round team performance helped them to their latest success, a comprehensive 69 run victory at Lanchester.

It was a great weekend for Tynedale as their trip to Lanchester was the only one in the division to beat the weather, even if the game was reduced to 25 overs an innings following a three hour rain delay.

The covers finally came off after tea, and Tynedale were first in to bat after home skipper Stuart McPhail decided to field first as he looked to make the most of the green pitch.

Sam Mannion and Jamie Crichton opened for Tyne and put on 31 for the first wicket, their partnership ending when the latter was run out by McPhail from deep as he attempted to reach the non-striker’s end for a second run. After facing 31 balls, the more dominant Mannion succumbed to the temptation of a rare pull shot from an off stump delivery from Greg Halliday, but he did not get enough power on his effort as the ball fell into the hands of Mak Small on the boundary.

Although he passed 200 runs for the season, the 3,000 club landmark still eludes James Rainford as he lasted just 15 minutes at the crease before being bowled on his leg stump by Kieron Taylor, with the score on 43.

Cant was joined by teenager Euan Stephenson, and the youngster struck out with a deadly six towards deep square before being caught behind by Daniel Storey off Taylor.

New bat Hedley Renton and Cant brought up 100 before Halliday claimed his second wicket, Storey stumping him. Renton’s brother Josh arrived to add 22 from just 14 balls, until he departed to a ball from Arran Halliday.

Paul Newton was run out by Storey shortly afterwards, with brother David smashing a six off the last ball to take Tynedale to 146, Cant still there at the end as he scored 45 in as many balls.

Lanchester’s job of reaching the target was all but wiped out in the sixth over of their reply with David Newton, opening the bowling with Cant, took his fourth wicket of the day to leave Lanchester in trouble on 21-4.

Encouraged by a hot evening sun which dried the pitch out, Newton pitched the ball up to swing it late away from the right handers as former Tyne player Callum Barnes and Harry Lovell were swept away lbw. His other two wickets were that of opener Gary Brinton, caught by Paul Newton, while Sam Mannion made a spectacular dive high to his right at mid-wicket to see off Sam Crooks.

Change bowlers Matthew Percival, Paul Newton and Sam Peter shared the rest of the wickets, with Cant getting in on the act too. It was Percival who claimed the fifth wicket with the score on 45, bowling danger man Greg Halliday, playing across the line, after a watchful and controlled innings.

Taylor then had a rush of blood to the head and was bowled by Paul Newton, with McPhail becoming the seventh wicket hanging around with Jonny Green. He was caught by Mannion from Percival’s bowling.

Small then sent a catch to Rainford to give Cant his wicket, and Green’s resistance ended when bowled by Paul Newton.

It was over to young Peter to wrap the game up with his one and only delivery, clean bowling Storey to leave Lanchester all out on 77.