Catches Win Matches

The old adage came back to haunt KCC as the Stiffs lost out to Underwood. The Field of Dreams looked lush but the pitch was remarkably dry given recent April showers.

We lost the toss and fielded and signs of rust were immediately evident as Cowlard and Legge sprayed it all over the place. Things weren't helped by our awful catching. Skipper Cowlard had bought a pedometer to keep track of the season's dropped catches and was in overdrive as six went down on the day. Boom Boom spilled the first at gully. Then Grets pulled up Rooney-like at cover aggravating a stag night injury. Fortunately Snapper was then posted to deep gully and took the only outfield catch of the day off DJ Vespa on first change. The arrival of Baker was perfectly timed to see a listless Ladd spill a regulation nick at first slip off new boy Grant's second ball in English cricket. Things got worse as Drury made a mess of a lofted drive, slightly put off by Leggy's dying swan follow through.

At 100-2 off 20 overs we were behind. But it proved to be one of those days when the slower you bowled the harder it was to hit. Drurs came on to bowl some filth from the top end and found the Underwood batters and umpire unable to judge a Gilo-line some feet down leg side. Leggy and then Cowlard came on for second spells and also cut down the pace and run rate. Drurs finally bowled two at the stumps to get breakthroughs. Cowlard followed up with two in two balls. But quickly put his wallet before personal glory: the hat trick ball barely pitching on the cut strip. Cowlard finished with 4-32 off 7 overs, Drury 2 for 20 off 8 overs and Leggy 2-51 off 13 (following a miscount from the umpire).

176 all out at the break was a fine comeback. Tea was 'stile italiano' courtesy of the Legge's. Highlights were insalata di pasta di tonno and the awesome sorpresa di barbabietola.

In reply we made a sprightly start, Laddy and Drurs punishing some wide rubbish. Laddy though was soon incredulous, out leg before, shouldering arms to one that pitched on the adjoining astroturf, too wide for Hawkeye to compute. Ernie had more eyes for his new sightscreen mis-timing one to cover. Drurs and DJ Spence then put together a steady stand pushing along at four an over without alarm. At 105-2 off 25 overs we were well placed. Drurs' played a tired shot to be out for 41, but the stage was set for our powerful middle order to push on through.

However, five dead ducks saw local residents racing to call the DEFRA hotline as panic of a bird flu outbreak spread across the village. First, Parker capped a Surtees-like debut triggered to one that 'snicko' judged to be bat against pad but not ball. Ted was another unhappy leg before, but Cowlard had no excuses for an awful paddle across a straight one. Butch kept the run of blobs going. Leggy slowed down the procession, but only through batting without a box, and holding up play for about 10 minutes to adjust his crown jewels.

Through all the coming and going, Tony held firm and was joined by hobbling Grets for the last stand. The boys had a good stab Grets reaching 18 before being last out, Tony ended unbeaten on 48.

152 all out was disappointing. Ours was the only match played so 7 points already puts us in the promotion places.

M.O.M. Drurs