Boss Hogg reports on Legge's XI's final fixture....The final act of a wonderful summer for KCC was a return visit for the Sunday team to that delightful corner of the world known as Colston Bassett. Of all the Sunday fixtures this felt more in the direction I'd hoped we'd take, as regards team selection, when first thought of. This is not meant as disrespectful to all the players that have helped me this year, some at short notice. My sincere thanks to all of you that have and I hope you had as much fun as I did (not withstanding outside edges).
The match facts are not quite accurate as Colston didn't appear to have anybody who could add up properly to do the score book. My apologies if I miss off your moment of glory. Due to lack of KCC batting depth it was agreed four days before the match that we'd field first. This began to seem premature as Colston displayed their own lack of bastmen as the Keyworth attack sent a steady stream back to the clubhouse. Sticky Palmer being particularly miffed at Colston's young opener showing complete lack of respect to the skipper's bowling. Liam at the other end showed why he's come on so well this season. Line and length but unfortunately this time no luck.
There followed the complete array of KCC bowlers as everybody but the keeper turned their arm over. Poor Adrian couldn't take the pressure of performing in front of his boys and suffered accordingly. Some tidy bowling from Kevin Stephenson and Dave Reilly kept the match nicely balanced. The stage was set for The Adonis himself and JB didn't disappoint. The complete youth policy middle order disappeared in the space of 3 deliveries to give JB his 4th career hat-trick, and first for KCC. In true Sunday spirit JB took himself out of the attack, to protect his god-like figures.
Unfortunately this bought in Barrie Rainsford to the crease a little sooner than we'd like. But he also found the going tough as old stager Palmer rolled back the years and restricted Barrie to odd singles. Sticky at this point was enjoying himself so much that signing a contract for next summer was a strong possibility. Unfortunately disaster struck when going for the catch of the day resulted in a six hour stay in A&E at Queens Medical. Suffice to say that Mrs Palmer has put paid to any chance of coming out of retirement.
But this allowed us to try our own youth policy in the shape of under-14's Sam Barrow and Chris Soar. Sam filled in at such notice that he started the match in his Keyworth United strip whilst his mum brought his whites over. He bowled 4 nice overs of spin before informing the skipper he was actually a keeper. Chris wasn't quite so lucky as he bowled 2 overs near the end of the innings enabling Barrie to bring up his fifty. Our youngster wasn't put off as he was obviously enjoying himself too much to be bothered about the tonking he took. What a trooper. Colston finished their innings with 138 thanks largely to their tail.
Tea was again delightful but the old grey matter has let me down as regards highlights.
With a fragile batting line-up to say the least it was up to one of our guest players from Poplars CC, Kevin, to play the anchor role. This he did but unfortunately trying to find a partner to hang around was not so easy. Another duck for Duncan probably means opener isn't his forte. Adrian was having one of those days and added just 2 runs. The youth policy was next in and even though both lads were out for 0 they at least got out attacking the ball.
Liam made 6 whilst trying to perfect the 'Cowlard Sweep'. This meant next up was Dave who proved to be a very pleasant surprise. Attacking the ball, particularly in the 'V', he helped push the total on nicely. Kevin was next out scoring a very nice 29 which bought in our second guest from Poplars, Steve Newton. After a fine performance behind the stumps Steve struggled to get the ball off the square and departed for 4.
Enter the Adonis. Some hefty blows to the boundary took KCC past the ton mark and some started to believe that an unlikely result might be possible. But maybe the adrenlin took over and JB missed one but not until adding a useful 20. This left last man, Boss Hogg, and Reilly to carry on the dream. The skipper was frantically searching for his first Sunday run of the year so no surprises that the gallery passed a comment or two on its arrival. This was followed by a couple of heaves to the boundary that went to the Boss's head which meant the next delivery took the middle stump.
In the end a gallant try but 25 runs short.
A great day for everyone but Sticky, was ended down the Martins Arms, without youngsters of course, for a few birthday drinks.
Thanks again to everyone that helped out this year. Particularly those who turned up for Wednesday nets before the monsoons hit and didn't get to play. Hopefully next year will be kinder.
All the best
Boss Hogg
