A TEAM of cricketers who have largely came through the ranks at their Tyne Valley club impressed throughout this year's reduced season.

However, they fell just short and a second placed finish in their league saw them fall just short in their pursuit of making the play-offs.

Stocksfield were grouped in Division Three of the Northumberland and Tyneside League this year, meaning they faced their Tyne Valley neighbours Stocksfield and Corbridge.

They got off to a flying start as they travelled to Lintz on the opening day of the season, their score of 294-8 earning them the victory as their hosts were all out on 201.

The maximum points haul continued into their second game as they were convincing 93 run victors over Consett, aided by a knock of 79 from Sam Beedle.

The crunch match with Tynedale followed and both teams had boasted 100 per cent records going into the game.

Stocksfield made their way to 190 with half centuries from Beedle and captain Steven Henderson, but Tynedale reached their target with four wickets still in hand.

Stocksfield bounced back in fine style though, and they romped to a 30 point triumph as they welcomed Whickham to the A695.

This time Adrian Marrison was the man in form with the bat as he fell just six runs short of his 100, while teenager Aaron Rourke inflicted the damage with the ball by claiming five wickets.

Rivals Corbridge were next up and Stocksfield, guided by Chris Scandle's figures of 5-24, made light work of the home batting order, removing them for a combined total of 85.

While Stocksfield lost two men, it was all too easy for them as they helped themselves to another maximum point haul.

August ended in disappointment as they were beaten by five wickets on their trip to Annfield Plain.

Scoring was tough to come by and they ended their 40 overs on 141-9, Alex Roney top scoring on 35.

They did end the campaign on winning ways, inflicting a five wicket defeat on hosts Ryton.

Ryton's score of 125 was reached in the 32nd over, with Ben Archer leading the way for Stocksfield with 65 not out.

l Away from league action, Stocksfield impressed in the National Village Cup.

They started the competition with a comfortable seven wicket victory over Haughton in the Northumberland, Durham and Tyne and Wear round.

Visiting Haughton were all out for 119, with Stocksfield gunning for the total as Beedle top scored with an unbeaten 45.

The next round saw them host Kirkley in the regional final and Stocksfield were again on song as they recorded a whopping 148 run victory.

Chris Patterson got the ball rolling with 50, but it was the pair of Rourke (81) and Beedle (83) who really pushed the score on as the home side finished on 338.

Kirkley were never really in the game during their reply and ended on 190-8, with Ryan Chamberlain helping himself to four wickets.

Stocksfield met their match in the national rounds when they made the trip to Scarborough to take on Folkton & Flixton.

They were bowled all out for 92 with Henderson's knock of 22 the top score. James Tolchard recorded a run out and Rourke claimed a wicket but Flixton were the victors.