Hiller Gets Hand on Jug

Keyworth's faith in a youth policy was finally rewarded as Andy Hiller steamed through Wilsons to set up a comprehensive victory.

The Stiffs bowling attack was already bolstered with Dave Hiller and XX Dale promoted from the Firsts and the return of skipper Cowlard from Majorca Uncovered, but was further strengthened with star all-rounder Ball opting for the gloves for Keyworth United.

Cowlard won the toss and predictably opted to bowl on a belting looking strip, leaving the Millers’ batters shaking heads in disbelief and adding more momentum to Leggy’s captaincy campaign.

However, the Stiffs’ bowlers repaid the faith with a sparkling bowling performance. First up, Cowlard and Andy Hiller had the ball swinging through hoops, the skipper having the dubious honour of bringing up the 100th wide bowled by the team this season. Hiller, as usual, had plenty to moan about: firstly unhappy at the First Team instructions to bowl him up the hill, and then the customary positions of our close catchers three-quarters of the way to the boundary. An early edge dropped short of gully leaving Hiller bemoaning his luck, so in response Paul Lay was brought in to silly gully and immediately took a magic reaction catch. Soon after Ernie took a regulation nick and then the no.4 played all round a straight one to put us well on top at 30-3.

Boss Hogg Leggy replaced Bo Duke up the hill and was his usual miserly self frustrating the no.3 into a miscue to Cowlard at mid off. Leggy shouted in vain for several unlikely LBW’s, even laughing half way through one appeal. Then a decent partnership as Wilsons’ danger man took advantage of Dave Hiller’s very rusty first bowl of the season, the other Duke twin citing nerves for his JB-like yips. Top Man Burton was daydreaming in the deep not attempting to reach a lofted slog. Wensley Dale took over down the hill and bowled the ball of the day, a swinging Yorker, to break the partnership. Cowlard followed him and got rid of the danger man, Drurs taking a sharp catch at gully. Paul Lay responded with some dreadful banter: “c’mon boys we’ve won the battle, now let’s win the war”, and was sent down to the deep.

The Wilsons’ tail wagged more than we’d have liked, but Andy Hiller confirmed a permanent role bowling up the hill with two more wickets, to finish with career best figures of 5-37 off 12 overs. He was well supported by Leggy 1-29 off 10, Cowlard 1-20 off 10 and Dale 1-39 off 8. 165-8 at tea was a good effort.

Tea was a controversial affair. Skipper Cowlard was on duty and was clearly auditioning for a role on Ready Steady Cook, claiming to have rustled up a fine feast in under an hour. Some of the more seasoned tea-makers questioned whether outside help had been brought in. Whatever, prawn cobs were a terrific highlight.

In reply Butch and Drurs got off to a flier cutting anything short with relish. The Wilson’s bowlers were exhorted to hit ‘the G spot’, but their ladies were clearly not going to get a night of sweet loving as the chosen spot was a yard wide half way down. The pair put on 73, before Beakey followed one that barely pitched on the cut strip and toe ended a catch behind. XX Dale crashed his first ball through the covers and looked in great nick.

Drurs’ concentration was repeatedly disturbed by the keeper muttering at the top of the bowler’s backswing. Much amusing banter followed with the fielders offering to stop passing cars and silence twitching birds. Poor old Leggy was deaf in both ears as the opposition appealed for anything that hit the middle of the bat and disappeared to the boundary.

Dale and Drurs rose above it all and put on 87 before Dale followed a wide one to leave for a fine 29 with only six needed. By this stage Leggy was already showered and changed such was our dominance. It was left to Murali Burton, the best finisher since Michael Bevan, to hit a boundary to see us home with 8 overs to spare, and notch another red-inker. Drurs remained unbeaten on 72.

A great team effort and a valuable 19 points in the bag. Andy Hiller chose to pass up the opportunity to celebrate his fine performance with his team mates, opting to search for some alternative jugs at the Tollerton youth club.

MOM: Andy Hiller TFC: Dave HillerMOM in running: Leggy 1, Lay Jnr 1, Benji 2, Drurs 3, Cowlard 1, Top Man 2, A.Hiller 1