Fabulous Baker Boy

Table-toppers Keyworth flew to Gotham (City) for Saturday’s Division 1B clash. It was so hot that the locals expected to see the Caped Crusader appear in just his underpants, but neither Batman nor Robin were spotted in the South Notts countryside. A shake-up at selection saw Tony Spence replacing Dale, and Dring in for Garland. Dave Hiller got a late nod, as Strongy was recovering from the birth of his son, and future KCC fast bowler.

Baker & Ladd were the first to face the fines committee, due to a delayed TV aerial delivery to Ladd Towers. News that the Millers were inserted was great news for Baker, especially as he had spotted the Pukka Pie & Chip shop at the entrance to the ground.

Ladd rushed from car to middle, opening up with Parker in the absence of Ian Graham, still touting his wares to desperate County sides. The first over saw Ladd serenely get to 8*, with two nicks through the slip cordon. However, the pair neared a fifty partnership before Ladd was triggered. Clearly Laddy had not broken sweat, as the tea ladies assumed he was after a lager rather than water when he sought refreshment from his lengthy innings. DJ Tony Spence was demoted to the first team after a week of sun (and not much else) in Corfu. The big lad played well until missing a straight one, which saw Tindsley drag himself to the wicket after a 10km run that morning – a schoolboy error. He and Parker pushed the Millers score on, but Parker fell on 53, LBW. As normal, Geoff played well whilst others came and went. Dougie broke his “run-out” curse, skying a dolly to mid-off, and Dring chipped one to mid-wicket – a harsh dismissal given his commitment to nets! Meek made his 2007 League debut with a typical swashbuckling / jammy (delete as appropriate) 30, with a couple of sixes and three consecutive dropped catches. Rendu looked in better touch than of late (not difficult), and Baker ran three consecutive twos to leave him almost as red-faced as when falling mid-wicket whilst trying to complete an easy single. “Did he fall going for a quick second”, asked his optimistic Father! 210-9 at tea was a good score on a big outfield.

Despite the heat, the Gotham tea ladies catered for the whole of Gotham City, with Strawberry Flan & Cream the highlight.

A rallying speech from Rendu was ignored by the skipper himself as he bowled a load of dross in reply. However, Andy Hiller got an early breakthrough, but that was it as Gotham rattled to 90-1 off 18 overs, and looked well set. Talking of well-set, the heaviest bowling duo in League History came to the Millers’ rescue. Meek bowled his dibbly-dobblers and claimed two wickets, whilst Baker sensed his chance at the other end. Ladd/Dring proved an effective duo getting a run-out as the Gotham Youth Policy assumed that neither could field. However it was Baker who bowled beautifully to rip through the Gotham middle-order. A nick to slip was to see Baker claim his fifth wicket, but Laddy feared the big spinner droning on all the way home, so spilled the chance, only to complete a run-out as the non-striker called a suicidal single. However Baker was not to be denied, and rapped up the innings with his fifth wicket. Unfortunately, the League Reporter Phil Johnson was umpiring at Baker’s end, and so the team trooped off fearing a lengthy report on Baker’s achievements – let’s hope there isn’t a photo too, or it will need a double page spread!

Twenty points, and still top.

MOM : Rob Baker
TFC : Dave Hiller
MOM Total - Ian Graham 1, Andy Hiller 1, Grant Parker 1, Dave Strong 1, Bobby Baker 1