Firsts Slip to Third

First's missed the chance to push on for promotion with a poor show at home to Nottingham.

Rocket lost the toss and we batted on a typical August wicket: green, low and slow. The Nottingham attack had clearly been studying the videotapes, exposing Golden Graham's current weakness to juicy half volleys on off stump, bowled for the third time running for just 2. Councillor Harris arrived in the nick of time to assess the damage to the changing room wall.

DJ Sammy joined Vat Man Ladd in an untroubled 2nd wicket stand of nearly 50. Then a poor call from Sam saw Laddy run out for 17.5%. A slow walk round the boundary with the future Mrs Ladd ironed out the problem: "She says I'm just too slow". Few disagreed. Sam soon followed LBW for 19.

Tinpot looked scruffier than Jack Russell, with all manner of borrowed kit, but batted very steadily. Dessy was seeing treble after a Leo Sayer at the Test, and had the county leave in great order. A decent partnership ended with Dess caught behind for 21. Then a collapse. Meeky went for 9, Rocket was run out without facing, and Drury played round a stright one for 2. Bobby steadied the ship with a breezy 20 and Tinribs was finally out for a good 41. It was left to the Duke twins to scrape us up to 155 all out at tea, well below par.

Tea on debut by Vicky had class written all over it. Flapjack, wraps and peaches were the pick of the highlights.

Rocket steamed in after the break and soon made the breakthrough. Fireman Sam under the lid was making no friends trying to run out the batters after every ball. We couldn't make any more progress until Daisy Hiller was brought on. A rank long hop was soon skied straight up in the air. Bluey Dessaur did what any sensible keeper would do and backed off to fine leg, leaving Golden to charge from backward point to take full responsibility.

We struggled from then on. The opposition middle order thumped some lusty blows into the Church Drive gardens. Nelly made a late breakthrough, but too little too late as Nottingham cruised to victory for the loss of just 3 wickets.

Seconds Roasted at Lambley

Seconds put up a good show with only 9 men away at the Lambley postage stamp. Cowlard had been taking lessons from Rendu, arriving too late for the toss, DJ Vespa called correctly and we bowled.

Sheriff Hallam and Cowlard had no luck early. Spence on first change took 3 wickets. Murali Burton was a good foil at the other end also getting three scalps. The highlights in the field were a great reaction catch from the Adonis at first slip, and a juggling Billy Smart drop from Ernie.

Cowlard returned to take two late wickets and 160 at tea was a good effort.

In reply we simply ran out of batters. Cowlard was dropped twice on the way to a quickfire 15. Ernie was run out dawdling and Big Tone couldn't follow his heroics from the previous week. Top Man Burton was c&b for a duck. Rob 'The Butcher' Beake found the short side boundaries to his liking cutting and chopping his way to a fine 40. Having put on 70 odd with Paul 'One Gets Two' Lay, a between over update say Paul tell Rob that he was on for a big score. Needless to say the next over saw Butch run out after a very optimistic call from Paul. Boss Hog and Sheriff tried in vain but we fell 34 short.

Complete Washout

As you were, as persistent rain washed out both fixtures. Next week Firsts are away at Thurgarton, Seconds at home to Wilsons.

Cup Hopes Dashed

A good effort but we came up short against Plumtree in the Cup quarter final. Nicely rested after Saturday's early finish, we had the luxury of welcoming back Rocket and Dessy. DJ Sammy had finally found the cycle lane exit off the M25.

Dizzy won the toss and fielded. Jamesey opened up with news that Bobby had confidently sold him on the spreads in single figures. After a couple of cover drives, Steve reached a career best against the Millers. Rocket and Golden bowled tidily without looking like running through the top order. Davy Lamp Hiller made the first breakthrough getting Jamesey to skew a slog to Bomber at deep extra for 40 odd. Dallas Cowboy looked in good form at no.3 and the Plums looked well set at 165-1.

Times are clearly hard in the Bradley household as Mrs B turned up with guitar and busked under the scorebox. The rest of the travelling support were more subdued until the famous Keyworth squeeze.

Golden nipped one through the South African pro's defence after a fine 73. Then the no.4 was out plum LBW for two consecutive balls, only the second one counting. Poor old Chewy wandered in on a hiding to nothing. A risky single saw Dallas run out by Dessy. On the sidelines, Cowlard was once again quick off the mark, pricing up a job to repair the hole in the home changing room wall, as the big Aussie let off steam. Mortified, Chewy was plum leg before to Rocket. Lose track of the rest of the wickets, but fine fielding and bowling throughout dismissed the Plums for 201.

Tea was the usual fine effort from Jean. Once again, radishes were the Ex-Chairman's highlight.

In reply we got off to a bad start, Bomber aiming to put one in the cow field was bowled by Scott. Laddy and DJ Sammy played and missed at a few, but gradually the runs flowed. Sammy looked in great touch, a slog sweep into the Griffin car park the shot of the day. At 85-1 we were in the box seat. Then a carry on Keyworth collapse. Sammy got a leading edge to go for a fine 53. Rocket soon followed to an awful leg before. The barmy army were reaching for the helmets as Elton sprayed his kit to all parts on the journey back to the pavilion. Dessy was mysteriously stumped playing his county leave, then Ted edged one behind. Laddy played round one a straight one for a text book 37 and we were wobbling at 110-6.

Raored on by KCC legend Palmer, boozed up on a couple of Ayingerbraus, star all rounder Ball rolled back the years with a huge six onto the dressing room balcony. Drurs played some proper shots at the other end. Can't remember how the ex-ginger was out, but do remember the fantastic catch that saw Benji leave. Drurs chugged along for a steady 23 before a crap slog and a simple catch at mid off.

Bo and Luke Duke gave us a bit of hope with some back garden tip and run, but as the sun set, so did our cup hopes, and we were all out 20 odd short.

A good game and a fair result. Good luck to the Plums in the next round.

MOM DJ Sammy Bradley
MOM in Running: Nelly 4, Golden 3, Meeky 2, Rendu 2, Laddy 1, Hiller D 1, Sammy 1

Firsts Thump Thrumpton

The Millers cruised to victory in the most one sided game seen at the Field of Dreams for many a year.

We were down to the bare bones once again with Rocket, Nelly, Postie and DJ Sammy all missing; Bomber Graham and star all rounder Ball filled the breach.

Meeky lost the toss and we were in the field. Thrumpton had been on tour all week and batted like a jaded side. Dangerous Dave Hiller, paying £5 match tax for the first time, made sure of getting his money's worth by taking the new ball down the hill. A great opening spell saw both openers back in the hutch before 20 was on the board, Benji and Ted taking routine catches.

Golden plugged away up the hill without success and made way for Tweaky Meek who struck quickly with a bowled and catch to Laddy. At the other end Dangerous was unlucky, and Billy Smart was chuckling, as Ted and Laddy looked at each other as regulation snick went for four. To no avail though as the Trumpton middle order played like lemmings. Golden returned down the hill bowling spin and was quickly on a hat trick. Clearly the nursery fees were front of mind, as the hat trick ball barely pitched on the cut strip.

At 30 odd for 8, skipper Meek was finally brave enough to give Andy Hiller his first bowl of the season. Andy immediately knocked a pole out of the ground to send a message to the selectors, but was expensive in the scheme of things, going for 9 in his 4 overs. Golden wrapped up the innings for a meagre 52 all out. Bowling figures were understandly splendid: Meek 3 for off 9 off 7, Bomber 3 for 10 off 10, and Dave the pick with 3 for 22 off 9.

With the innings wrapped up at 3.35, Tuckers had only just reached the car park with the tea. So we turned round quicky while the banquet was unloaded. With 66 overs available, Meeky felt confident enough to let Drurs open with Golden. The first round went to Bomber with 8, the second went to Drurs with 10. The third to Bomber with 15. The Trumpton openers didn't know where to bowl. Ian played a rash shot with the finishing line in sight to go for 36, Drury leg glanced the winning boundary to reach 16 not out. Just 6.1 overs required and 20 points in the bag at 4.12 p.m.

Tea was worth the wait, too many highlights too mention, although the main bonus was not having to bat or field after platefuls of tuna pasta, radishes and gherkins.

MOM: Dangerous Dave Hiller
MOM in Running:
Nelly 4, Golden 3, Meeky 2, Rendu 2, Laddy 1, Hiller D 1