The single surviving annual stats sheet from the 1980s relates to 1982, shortly after the club was inaugurated. Available additional data permitted the compilation of a reasonably complete record for the season. Based at the Heaton Medicals Ground, the Geography-CURDS team (total number of players, 15) won five of its twelve matches. Opponents were all academic departments of Newcastle University, and the team scored an impressive average of 110 runs per match, versus 103 by the opposition. The biggest score, 179-3, in the victory against Physics – might as a record be regarded as contentious, in that it was made off 25 overs. However, the same total made against Organic Chemistry later in the season, could indeed be the highest Mallards’ total of the pre-2000s era.

Malcolm Khan, a Newcastle Polytechnic law lecturer – reputedly once part of the Young West Indies touring side, and who deigned to take singles only if they could be strolled – contributed the most runs. His eight innings yielded 229 (average 38.2). Following him was (captain) Carl Pickering (12 innings, 155 runs, av. 17.2) and Gordon Dabinett (7, 132, av. 22.0), both of Newcastle University. However, the 1981 debutant, Ian Stone, helped by an innings (as opener) of 48 n.o. – plus another of 26 n.o. – snuck in to head the season’s batting averages (52.5). Pickering (pace) and Khan (spin) led the wicket-takers, with 19 and 12 victims respectively. Otherwise, Stone returned 6-92 off 27 overs, Geography professor, Stan Openshaw’s whirling action operated for 36 overs, yielding four wickets for quite a few (av. 39.3), and 9 overs from Colin Wymer produced a wicket at an average of 56. The best economy rate was achieved by the very tidy Mr Brusby (17 overs, 7-35, av. 4.9), at a parsimonious 2 runs per over. Most instances within matches are long forgotten, but Gordon Dabinett still remembers his surprise when, after moving him from square to short square leg, immediately Stan Openshaw somehow held onto to a catch from the worst leg-side ball he ever sent down. Who, after all, remembers for long the ‘competently taken’ wicket?!

Previous: Background
Next: Seasons 1983-88