Laddy's Cup Runneth Over

Another sunny day saw another solid batting performance with the Millers topping 500 runs for the weekend. Laddy opening with Golden (24) firstly got back-to-back 50’s then went on to notch his maiden 100 for the club. It was a great knock and marked a welcome return to form this week. Golden was out caught in the deep trying to release some anger after swearing at the umpire, who didn’t seem to know the changes to the wide rules in cup matches.
The fielding performance from the home side was abject, dropping at least half a dozen chances and seemingly not coping with the bumpy outfield conditions that they are surely used to. At one point their 16 yr old fielder got a bad bounce off the rugby pitch, the ball evading him for 4 more. He received no sympathy from Grant, the 100% pure Aussie cheered and clapped; his English team mates owe him a lesson in cricketing etiquette.

DJ Vespa’s view was that they were a good fielding side apart from they couldn’t catch – surely a pretty high requirement for a good fielder? Some good run-a-ball batting saw an exhausted DJ Vespa (44) top 100 for the weekend, well supported by Judy (28*) and Rocket (19*), enabling the Millers to post a bumper 264 – 5 (off 45 overs) at the break. Tea was below average compared to the previous day’s spread. Some players were worried about getting scurvy due to the lack of fruit. Keyworth entered the field to the sound of thumping drum and bass from a nearby house that lasted for 20 overs, enabling some senior pros to take the opportunity to roll back the years and throw some shapes in their warm up routines. Judy Garland at last had the opportunity to take the labels off his new gloves, and looks set to stay behind the stumps after a solid display (nothing to do with Dringy being at the World Cup).

The Rocketman, buoyed by the high tempo beats resonating around the arena, quickly dismissed their skipper and best batsman. Iggy again looked like he’d bowled off spin all his life and got another 3-for. Benji came on and bagged a wicket with his first ball, the batsman deceived by the flight, perhaps expecting something quicker after the badger took the worlds longest run up. The youngster bowled really well though, taking 2 wickets for no runs off his first 16 balls, one of which was a great diving catch by Aussie Grant.

AC came on to bowl to make a game of it, his 3 overs going for 19. Liam, trying to impress his on looking girlfriend, bowled tightly, with his 4 overs going for 8 and was unlucky not to get a wicket. Half Australian Emma bowled some very ordinary wides and no balls, but also managed 2 straight ones, for a dodgy LBW and a clean bowled that removed off stump. However, Aussie Grant wasn’t happy with the half bred’s celebrations, saying he should have given the batsman a send off in true Aussie style.
Their innings was a rather boring affair, with only one batsman chancing his arm. Laddy finished off a good day at the office by swooping to affect a tight run out as the batsman finally thought about going for it. After 38 long overs, they were all out for 142 keeping the Millers name in the hat for the next round.

MOM : Laddy
TFC : Bally (still looked in a bad way after a big weekend in Skeggy)
MOM In Running : Garland 1, DJ Sammy 1, Bobby 1, Bomber 1, Big Tone 1, Laddy 1