A THIRD century in a row from Shotley Bridge’s impressive batsman Paul Greenwell knocked the stuffing out of Tynedale.

A wonderful innings of 189 not out, made from 103 deliveries with 17 fours and 13 sixes, wore the hosts down as Shotley’s imposing total of 377 was 255 runs more than what Tyne could reply with.

Coming in to the crease in the 13th over, he carried his bat superbly with one of the most impressive innings witnessed at Priors Flat.

There was a period of play when Tynedale were on top as, at 73-2, Shotley’s scoring was curtailed for an eight over spell as Greenwell and Stuart Graham faced the tight line and varying pace of spinners Tom Cant (0-93) and Callum Barnes (1-53).

But the batting duo got into their stride after drinks at the midway point, and went hell for leather with Greenwell making his 50 before sending two consecutive balls clear of the boundary.

Graham, acting as a foil, ended on 46 after Shotley had passed the 200 mark. In came Lewis Hall (65*) who only hurried along the scoring, but it was Greenwell who continued to steal the show as he ended with two sixes and two fours in the 49th over.

It was always going to be a big ask for Tynedale as opening batsmen Will Dagg (20) and Jamie Crichton (4) faced good deliveries from Graham (2-20) and Joe Gibson (2-29).

As Tynedale’s wickets fell, Adam Phillips (4-34) chief wicket taker, there was a great cameo from Barnes (41*) as he showed maturity in tough conditions.

Hitting six fours from 39 balls during his 46 minutes spell at the crease, he earned Tynedale a batting point as Tynedale ended on 122, Curtis Lucas adding an entertaining 18 as she played through a hand injury sustained in the field.

Tynedale II beat Shotley Bridge II by two wickets, with knocks from Noah Hiles (64) and David Newton (30) steering them to success in the 43rd over. They were chasing 176 after the efforts from bowlers Paul Newton (2-26), George Cook )2-28) and Mark Clark (2-33) kept the lid on Shotley’s scoring.