Keyworth Uncovered

After a balmy week it was sod’s law that Saturday should dawn grey and damp at the Field of Dreams. But this gave Ernie the chance to try out his new pitch covers and happily these ensured a prompt start for the visit of Balderton.

The Stiffs were buoyed with news that the Sheriff, Adonis and star all rounder Ball would all be ready to don the whites before the end of May. Top Man Burton missed out still sore after being gelded midweek.

Skipper Cowlard lost the toss again but was delighted to bowl first. He was less happy with Leggy’s opening spell that was stiffer than a Rendu team talk. Pistol Pete seemed distracted by tapping up allegations from Fiskerton and spilled a sitter at cover as the opposition reached 50 in no time.

Father and son Elliott came on first change and Benji soon struck. Tommy was safe hands at cover, and in the same over a great yorker saw Balderton on the back foot. However the third wicket partnership started to look menacing. Tommy and Benji were not on speaking terms colliding to spill a simple chance, and Dimps was soon practising his audition for a future edition of Grumpy Old Men as Ernie dropped our 9th of the season.

Cowlard had seen enough and returned to make the vital breakthrough, Drurs catching a sharp drive at the second attempt. Leggy’s two-footed tackle on a return drive would have brought a straight red in other sports but here increased the pressure.

The runs dried up and after the allotted 40 overs the visitors were restricted to 131-7. Cowlard led the way with 2-10 off 10 overs, Elliott Snr. was close behind with 1-22 and Elliott Jnr. took 3-53.

The highlight of Butch’s tea was finely sliced egg sandwiches. A lack of milk was a schoolboy error.

In reply wickets tumbled early, Ernie and the Elliotts all gone inside 10 overs. Butch was into his stride quickly with a thick chop but was unwise to cut a slowly spun yorker and was plum leg before. At 44-4 our prospects were as gloomy as the light, leaving Cowlard to rue his decision to leave the sightscreens locked up.

Drurs meanwhile was proving harder to dislodge than Tony Blair and set about building a match winning partnership with Cowlard. The opposition bowlers ran out of ideas, as boundaries started to flow, and in the end we cruised home, Drury unbeaten on 55, Cowlard not out 48.

M.O.M. Andy Cowlard
M.O.M in running Drurs 1, Cowlard 1