Strong performance provides win

It was back to winning ways for the Millers in glorious conditions at the Field of Dreams. The sun brought out a bumper crowd, including a very high WAG count and some scantily clad, nubile teenage girls who ensured that all eyes wouldn’t be on the cricket.

Skipper Rendu was running a ‘little late’ whilst busy on work duty in the morning, so it again fell to Rob Baker to lose the toss, seeing the Collingham skipper stick the Millers in on a good looking track. Suited Steve eventually arrived 2 ½ hours late, setting a new record in the process.

Ian Graham and Chris Ladd (61) got the home side off to a very good start, with Iggy launching 2 massive sixes on the way to his 38. Laddy rode his luck, and survived 2 dropped catches before impressively reaching 50 with a classic cover drive for four.

Grant Parker, looking increasingly in good nick this year, hit a few lusty blows, but was caught on the boundary whilst only on 11.

Dale Collison, up the order to 5, couldn’t capitalise on his promotion and fell to a tame C&B for 6. Doug Bayford was run out (again), and Bobby Baker was also run out after Geoff Tindsley thought better of a second run. Bobby was adamant that there was always two runs on, and took out his frustration on an innocent plastic cup, which he sent flying as he walked off the field. Unfortunately the cup was full of water, and Ian Graham and son Lewis were in the firing line; a bit of a “D’Oh” moment for Homer Baker.
The remaining batsmen supported the again not out Geoff Tindsley who was left on 47 (jug avoidance once more), getting Keyworth to 201-7 in their 48 overs.

Tea was a delightful spread laid on by Jean, with the obligatory Onion Bhajis, wraps and scones with jam, cream and double strawberries being the highlights.

The Collingham reply was slow and steady, with a dropped catch from Geoff Tindsley in the gully denying the skipper an early breakthrough. The first wicket came in the 13th over after sustained pressure from the Miller’s opening pair. 200 looked increasing like a good score, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals thereafter.

Dave Strong was brought on first change to replace Andy Hiller from the bottom end and quickly started to swing the ball like a banana. Strongy’s deliveries were doing far too much for the Collingham batsmen and returned impressive figures of 5 for 18 off his 9 overs. Rob Baker replaced Rendu down the hill and his tasty pies picked up 4 wickets with good catches from Andy Hiller (2) and Wensley-Dale Collison

Dave Garland was having a bad day at the office behind the stumps with two dropped chances and a missed stumping off Bobby Baker. One of the lowlights of the fielding display was the lewd act allegedly performed by Ian Graham on Chris Ladd in the hedge whilst retrieving the ball. Laddy was laid on his back, legs akimbo, keeping the branches apart while IG on all fours put his head between Chris’s legs, reaching in for the ball(s).

One humorous dropped catch came from Rob Baker’s bowling when the batsman skied one, which seemed to be down the throat of Andy Hiller at deep mid-on. But Rob had other ideas and shouted for Dougie to run round from deep mid-wicket. The Aussie, new to the Field of Dreams, was running like a demented spaniel, and kept losing his footing on the undulating outfield culminating in a last second swan-dive to miss the ball by a good ten yards.

The Collingham tail shut up shop, but were unable to stop the inevitable and their innings closed on 132 in the 44th over.

A workmanlike performance delivered 20 points, taking Keyworth to the top of 1B.


MOM – Dave Strong
TFC – Dave Garland

MOM Total - Ian Graham 1, Andy Hiller 1, Grant Parker 1, Dave Strong 1