AFTER months of uncertainty, empty scorecards and unused clubhouses, cricket returned at clubs throughout the Tyne Valley on Saturday.

The esteemed cricket writer Neville Cardus once wrote “there can be no summer in this land without cricket”, and on July 11 summer had finally arrived.

Clubs participated in friendly matches and intra-squad games as competitive cricket looks set to return on Saturday, July 18.

At Priors Flat, Tynedale CC held a 15-player intra-squad friendly. Captain Tom Cant posted the best bowling figures of the day with 3-25, while Ollie Fletcher hit 43 not out.

At Ponteland, Amrit Punia scored 42 runs and Andy Denyer impressed with bowling figures of 5-9 as the Chairman's XI faced a President's XI in an friendly match.

Cricket returned to Stocksfield as two friendlies were held on Saturday before the team's U13, U11 and U14 girls returned to the wicket on Sunday.

West Tyne League sides Stamfordham and Haydon Bridge battled it out with Corbridge in a trio of friendlies at the Oval in Stamfordham.

The West Tyne League confirmed competitive fixtures will restart from Saturday, July 18, and have released a full schedule up until Saturday, September 26.

The Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League said it will contact clubs about the return of any NTCL managed cricket after reviewing the Government and ECB guidelines.