Leggy In Seventh Heaven

The Seconds also nearly tossed away a straightforward win against fellow Keyworth residents Willoughby.

Missing skipper Cowlard, a re-glazed Drury returned along with DJ Vespa. Stand-in skipper Spence won the toss. Despite the Firsts scoring 600 runs in the last two home matches, the pitch was viewed as a seamers' paradise, and we chose to bowl first. Not that we were any the wiser as the Sheriff and Liam were wayward with the new ball.

Spence soon had himself into the attack and bowled with good pace and rhythm, taking two proper wickets, Ernie taking replica catches in front of first slip's nose. 2-21 off 9 overs was a good spell. Murali Burton was subdued up the hill, still with Wednesday night's videoing of his bowling action fresh in the mind.

Catching was again poor, dropped catches for the season now nearly at 20. Penfold Pete grasped at thin air, Liam had his mind elswehere, Tony had four attempts and still spilled a sitter, and Leggy had his blushes spared dropping a gentle lob at gully off a no ball.

At 65-2 off 20 overs we were struggling. Enter Boss Hog Leggy, with a point to prove, after being overlooked by the captain for the previous few weeks. Leggy simply bowled straight and full and was rewarded with a hatful of wickets. Ernie took two stumpings and another catch to finish with 5 victims, Paul Lay and Drurs took catches, and even Pistol Pete swooped for a low chance. And all this in front of the club president Copson, harshest critic Sticky, and 'er indoors. Leggy finished with amazing figures of 10-2-26-7.

At the break 142-9 was a great recovery. Teas by Pistol were ample, cherry bakewells the highlight.

In reply Willoughby bowled with more venom. Drury was in worse touch than Thorpe in South Africa, but evergreen Ernie punished anything loose, scoring 33 out of 42.
Another middle order procession with much shaking of heads as Top Man Burton and Spence missed straight ones, Paul Lay played an ugly cut, and Greats let one top slog go to his head. Pistol Pete made a dreadful call to run himself out by about 4 yards, and at 80-6 we were struggling.

Sheriff Hallam stopped the rot with a valuable 11, despite being dropped by the same man off two succesive balls. All the while Drury plodded on to one of the dullest 50's of all time. With 10 needed Hallam and Drury both departed, leaving a nervy finish.

But young Liam knuckled down, batting sensibly to protect his (Cheltenham) average. And it was left to Leggy, having the day of all days to smack the winning boundary.

M.O.M. Chris Legge

M.O.M In Running: Leggy 2, Murali 1, Ernie 2