Firsts Give Belvoir a Licking

The team arrived to find a very wet Belvoir, although Wozza was impressed by the well-trimmed playing surface. Stand in skipper Bobby lost the toss, but would have batted anyway, and agreed to a reduced 36 over affair.

Ted and Golden got the Millers off to a steady start prior to Boom Boom pulling up lame after a sharp single. Wozza had been eager to get to the crease with a promise of quick runs, but his contribution of 9 took longer than it did for the absent Laddy to get down to Bournemouth.

Dringy (34) and Golden had a useful partnership, with Ian playing a controlled innings of 64. However, Iggy fears an Animal Rights backlash after hitting one of the Duke of Rutland’s cows with a mighty six.

Half Australian Emma committed running suicide with a 2nd that never was after looking set. Dringy’s advice to Dave Garland was prophetic as he told him that the bowler would “pitch on off and hit off”, two balls later he did just that. 100% pure Aussie Grant at last got used to the pace of English wickets and creamed a quick fire 28, ably supported by DJ Vespa and running from Butch.

187-7 at the break was above average for the conditions. Tea was below average; the highlight a buttered slice of Malt Loaf.

Rob’s team talk at half time included the call to “get the basics right”, at which point Garland pointed out the skippers jumper was on inside out.

Iggy, bowling first up, had their openers worrying about snakes in the pitch, proving unplayable for his first 6 overs. His final figures of 11-7-17-3 capped a MOM performance before he exited the field at 6.15pm.

The Millers we now effectively down to 9 men in the field as Boom Boom could do little more than stand at slip, but the Belvoir boys were never in it. Wozza proved that he doesn’t need to come to nets as he bagged a double-wicket maiden with his first over of the season. The skipper kept Tinno, the Keyworth Statto, busy by using 7 bowlers including debuts for DJ Vespa, Emma and Dave Garland. The last pair battled out the remaining 6 overs, with a final burst from Grant (who surprised everyone with an impressive appeal in Hindi), to deny the Millers outright victory. Belvoir ended their innings at 146-9. Overall, a solid workmanlike performance from an under strength side.

MOM: Golden
TFC: Bally