Millers lose out in University Challenge

Similar to England’s tale of woe, it was felt that Keyworth had the squad of players to go all the way in the Cup this year, but lost out to Clifton 2’s in a tense match played at the Trent University campus in sweltering conditions.

Stand-in skipper & new dad Rob Baker won the toss and elected to bat on a featherbed, his team talk outlined a target of 250. Grant was out relatively cheaply cutting on to his stumps whilst Ian Graham customarily hit 8 4’s on his way to 38. Laddy (who kept finding a fielder with every shot he middled… apparently his 16 was worth at least 50 on another day…) and Emma gave the Clifton fielders catching practice as Keyworth slumped to 85-4 after a reasonable start.

Geoff Tinsley came back into the side this weekend after a long-term injury, and the postman duly delivered as he and Stuart Meek (36) steadied the ship in the middle order. Geoff was timing the ball superbly and his 50 seemed to come up in little time. Ably supported by the tail, Geoff was finally out run out off the last ball for 72 – a great knock, and selfless too as he could have settled for a red-inker.

244 all out in the allotted 45 overs at the break was just what the skipper ordered. Tea was a reasonable effort, chicken drumsticks the highlight.

Missing their 2 opening bowlers, Keyworth opened up with some aggressive stuff from Aussie Grant, and some wobblers from Meeky’s left arm. After a couple of looseners Grant adjusted his radar and had their opener caught in the first over by Laddy in the slips. However, the second wicket pairing batted well and dispatched the bad ball with ease and steadily made their way to a 100 partnership, offering only one chance to Laddy at slip off Meeky.

Strongy came on to bowl, looking like he’d had a really rough weekend sporting a nice growth of facial hair, and took two wickets with good catches from Emma and Laddy.

Meeky managed to out-fox one batsman to affect a cheeky run-out. After an easy single Meeky kept hold of the ball rather than throwing it in, tempting the batsman to take on his arm. The batsman set off only to be sent back and Stuart arrowed a throw in to the bowlers end with Andy Cowlard keeping his cool to take off the bails leaving the batsman red faced.

However, Clifton managed to not let the run rate creep much above 7 an over, and tellingly kept wickets in hand. With AC, Tinno and Emma going for 69 in their combined 7 overs the finishing line was in sight, although 8 wickets were down. Another wicket could’ve made all the difference with their No.11 apparently needing a runner, but it was not to be and the winning runs came in the 43rd over.

MOM: Tinno
TFC: AC

MOM Total : Garland 1, DJ Sammy 1, Bobby 1, Bomber 4, Big Tone 1, Grant 1, Tinno 1