Firsts let win slip through their fingers

Keyworth welcomed the youthful Radcliffe-on-Trent side to a freezing and windy day at the Field of Dreams.

Two changes were made from the defeat at the hands of Gedling.
With Alex (Teddy) Sheriston away and Ted back leading the 2’s, Geoff Tinsley and Dale Collison had their first outings of the season. Housewives favourite Geoff is currently working in Mauritius and will miss the majority of the season, but was back in the country predicting that he would drop two catches and get a duck having netted only once since January.

The heavy rain on Friday meant that the wicket was not going to be easy to bat on early doors, and was likely to get better as the day wore on owing to the near gale force winds drying out the pitch. Skipper Rendu was happy to win the toss and elect to field.

The plan worked nicely, with Steve and especially Andy Hiller-sister bowling very tight spells to restrict the scoring in the testing conditions. 25 off the first 10 overs was a perfect start. But in the 12th over a tone was set for the remainder of the innings; having set the trap, the opener pulled a short delivery from Rocket towards the deep square leg boundary where butterfingered Collison dropped the easiest of chances. More was to follow as Andy Hiller-sister and Geoff Tinsley (matching the first part of his prediction) both dropped 2 chances each in the deep, with Geoff’s outstretched arms looking like he was more used to catching beach balls than cricket balls.

Rob Baker is reportedly carrying a slight groin injury, cause unknown, and has yet to find his rhythm in 1A. His brand of pies we’re much to the taste of the Radcliffe opening pair as he was hit for successive maximums into the vicarage.

The Keyworth fielding was so hopeless that Ian Graham (3-44) decided the only way to get a wicket was to hit the stumps himself, which he did, bowling the opener for 43. More wickets were to fall at regular intervals, but with so many wickets in hand the early good work was undone and Radcliffe ended up posting 226-5 off their 48 overs.

Had KCC fielded like a 1A side, the Radcliffe total would have been around 200. Not surprisingly all the talk at tea, an Aussie smorgasbord, was about a new training regime, including catching and fielding practice…

Iggy and Grant opened up as usual with the icy wind still howling across the outfield. The young bowler, sporting longer locks than Rocket and a John McEnroe style headband, opened up the hill assisted by the wind. Although his loosener was the quick side of military medium, his second ball off-stump Yorker whistled through Ian’s defence in the blink of an eye, for his second consecutive 2nd baller.

Grant and Tinno (successfully avoiding the predicted duck) put on a useful partnership before Geoff (14) fell caught at midwicket after struggling to up the run rate. Following his return from long-term injury, Emma-Dale looked in good form and he and Grant, batting with his usual authority, went along comfortably at 5 and over until the drinks break. The opening bowler was brought back on to break the partnership and nearly did first ball after drinks with a sharp chance being dropped off Grant at first slip. Fired up by this, the bowler resorted to short stuff, which Grant took on, and unfortunately top edged to the keeper for 63.

Under 7 an over was required in the second half of the innings, and with the change bowlers regularly offering 4 balls, the target was always in site.

Skipper Rendu became a victim of his own making when facing a spinner with a 2 pace run up. During his second over at the crease the longhaired buffoon went through his normal routine of taking his guard and wiping the hair out his eyes only to look up to see the ball on it’s way down. Taken by surprise the skipper stuck out a pad and was adjudged plumb LBW. Despite his reluctance to walk and bat tossing at the wicket, the umpire said he should have stepped away if he wasn’t ready and the decision was upheld. On his way back to the pavilion the toys came out of the pram and a new world record distance for helmet throwing was set.

Doug Bayford came in at 6 and initially struggled to get to grips with the pace of the pitch and the bowling, but runs soon flowed with the Aussie notching up a useful 26 before being well caught at deep long on. At the other end Emma-Dale was still finding the odd boundary.

With 8-an-over required in the last 10, Dave Strong quickly took to the slow off spinner, sending him to all parts of the ground for a quickfire innings including one enormous straight six before being caught.

Dale was running out of partners, but as is the KCC way, the prospect of winning outweighed shutting up shop for a draw in the final 5 overs, and this led to him being run out for 52 trying to take a suicidal 2 in an effort to keep the strike.

Beaky and Dave Hiller were unable to stop the opening bowler from clearing up the tail leaving the Millers all out for 205 in the 46th over – a brave effort.

KCC are quickly realising that there is a very fine line between winning and losing on 1A, and above all catches win matches… See you at nets on Wednesday!

King Dethrones Twos

The Stiffs came up short against a strong Caythorpe side led by KCC legend Kingy.

It was just like old times during the warm up, Drurs completing a couple of laps of the outfield, whilst Kingy polished off a couple of Fosters' and a Silk Cut.

Ted correctly called tails and took the new ball. After six wickets the previous week, Cowlard was rewarded by bowling into a stiff wind! Kingy was in his usual bludgeoning mood apparently batting with a railway sleeper, and most of the KCC attack were avoiding eye contact with the captain, or picking up mystery injuries, as the new cherry rattled to all parts. The onlooking Sheriff Hallam put his own injury worries behind him, sprinting to cow corner to move his car, parked bang in range of one of Shaun's slogs.

The faster we bowled the quicker the ball seemed to disappear to the rope and beyond, landing in the perimeter stream most overs, leading to more ball changes than during a Wimbledon fortnight. Skipper Ted proved a dab hand with the telescopic ball retriever, but the wise owls noted that he gets plenty of practice on the golf course.

Things were getting out of hand at 70 without loss until Murali Burton made a breakthrough, an edge from Kingy spinning like a catherine wheel, but safely pouched by the Adonis at slip. Matt bowled a fine spell, striking again as Tuckers took a fine diving catch at mid off, and finished with magic figures of 2 for just 22 off 12 overs.

At the other end Cowlard and then Big Ted bowled without luck, the ball regularly looping just out of reach: Jonny Rogers felt like Shilts waving at Andreas Brehme's deflected free kick. We weren't helped by an injury to Caythorpe's veteran no.4. Rather than provide a like-for-like runner, Kingy summoned up one of this teenage whippets, which proved to be like swapping a shirehorse for Shergar! Caythorpe's other opener reached a solid half century before lofting Ted to deep mid on, Liam taking a confident catch.

With plenty of wickets in hand the middle order had license to unleash some long handle. Our fielding improved throughout the innings and both Jonty Hogg and JR made some fine diving stops, but couldn't prevent the home side posting a fine score of 209-4 at the break. Tuckers just shaded JR and Boss Hogg for the Sticky Palmer fielding point. Ted took 2-48 off 10 overs, while the rest of the bowling figures are still being added up!

Tea was well above average with a high cake to sandwich ratio. Among the many home made highlights, the coconut macaroons just shaded the old-skool fairy cakes.

Ted and Evergreen Ern' looked in fine form in reply putting on 43 for the first wicket until Ernie played across a straight one for 16. Top Man was in more need of runs than Flintoff and sadly miscued a trade mark on-drive for a duck. Then Ted was strangled caught by the keeper off a leg side edge. At 63-3 we were in a pickle. Drurs and One-Gets-Two set about reparing the damage. Paul again looked in fine form crashing four fours in a brisk 22, before being suckered by a rank long hop, unable to decide whether to clout it for 4 or 6, succeeding in only spooning it to short fine leg.

Cowlard had been making bold claims about playing straighter this year than Boycott. So it was no surprise that he fell LBW for 2 trying to put a straight half volley through square leg. AC looked back at Drurs shaking his head, mumbling that the ball was missing leg. Drurs later confirmed that this was indeed true, and that the ball was also missing off, but sadly not middle stump about half way up! Tuckers fancied lamping the young off spinner over the pavilion, but fell fowl of too much playground catching practice looping an easy catch to cover for 2.

At 113-6 it became damage limitation in the search for as many points as possible. Drurs and Liam put on an unbeaten 70, but with the boundary ropes well policed, we always looked unlikely to get near the target. Drurs had sent most of the crowd to sleep, including Ernie on the scorers' bench, who was too engrossed with stories of WG Grace to note Drurs' half century! In the final over we reached another batting point, to end on 183-6, Liam making a fine 17, with Glassback also unbeaten on 59.

No disgrace against one of the strongest teams we've played in recent years and 5 points could prove vital in the end of season shake-up

Where The Cider Apples Grow

Details of this year's Tour to Somerset are now confirmed. Click below for how to join the crazy train.

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Edison Shines on Debut

Stand by your beds for the longest ever crap match report from guest reporter Bobby!!!

After a fantastic last ball win the previous week and the mid-week signing of ex-Plum Alex Sheriston, Rocket continued to please the team by getting the game reduced to 40 overs. KCC were put in to bat by a confident Gedling & Sherwood side and our skipper ordered rain for 5pm but needless to say this would probably turn up late…

Iggy sat in the changing room and wanted to bowl first on a rock hard deck with fast outfield – not a good sign - largely due to our ‘Pro’ being on the lash around Mansfield the previous evening – boorish!!! IG drifted out to the middle, edged the first ball of the match past first slip for four, the second saw him fishing down by the Trent again and hanging his bat out to dry in the cold winds – caught behind for four, even though Dennis will no doubt stick another 8 in front for the league website records as we are a one man team after all…

Ian left the pitch and threw his helmet in one direction and the bat in the opposite. Baker contemplated gathering the attire for his close friend but thought wiser of it, claiming there is “no room for petulance in the modern game and he should fetch his own toys!” a little hypocritical after Baker demolished a beaker of water after a dismissal last year that landed all over the Keyworth pro’s three year old son!!

Enter one of last week’s heros in Boom Boom Elliott. Ted started where he left off as he flicked an effortless four off his legs to roll back the years once again, but he was soon caught out at square leg, getting a top edge to a short one whilst playing a hook in May – a reflection of the good track, even this early into the campaign!

New star signing Alex “Shero” Sheriston or Edison as Bobby likes to call him (a Plum, that like Thomas Edison, has seen the light – a gag wasted without Laddy’s private education in the line-up, but we are sure Rocket will catch on some time in August!)

Alex occupied the crease and looked composed with the added bonus that he has a leave to rival that of the Playboy Dessaur. He and Grant, who was now very fluent, having played himself into form in his second innings v Unity the week before (the 84 not out – not the 3 where he was caught behind!). After some sublime high elbow cover and straight drives our new no 1 batsman was again caught out, this time without dispute, with a top edged pull for 41. A shame that the high quality stroke play did not result in a match winning three-figure innings.

Ted & Bobby were chatting to the young Evening Post photographer, bigging up the captain Rocket Rendu as he entered the crease. If Tuesday night’s league report in the local rag quotes that the Club has a “French cricket international” nickamed the “housewives' champion” you can probably point the finger at the Big Fella’s!

Shortly after the Skipper’s arrival, Alex was removed, caught behind for 12 after being squared up by a good ball that lifted a little off a length! 75 for 4 and no real partnerships was a concern and a par total of 180 off 40 overs was looking some distance away with 15 overs remaining.

The new ball bowlers had now bowled out and two spinners were brought into the attack.
Renders decided not to let them settle and Dougie set in to play the anchor role. Rocket hit some lovely clean blows including one large six in a useful 39 before he was stumped trying to up the tempo. Shortly after Dougie swept a lovely four before repeating the shot to a full bunger which hit him on the toe and he was gone LBW for a useful supporting 12.

A virus carrying Strongie had no energy but he joined Bobby at the crease with the score at 123 for 6 with 7 overs to go and they ticked over the singles and the odd boundary for a few overs to try and reach a competitive total. A run-a-ball 23 from Bobby also ended in a stumping with 10 balls to go, but not before he had teased Simon Smith at long on by slapping their spinner for 6 only inches over the ex-KCC legend's outstretched finger tips. If only Gedling had signed the 6ft 7inch Cocko from the legendary 90’s team, and not Smudger, then they would have had Baker caught out on the boundary and Shelley wouldn’t have been etching another maximum in the scorebook!

Beakey came and went before Andy Hiller-Sister ran Strongy’s energy levels down with some two’s and three’s to leave Keyworth on a competitive 168 for 8 off 40 overs, setting the home side just over 4 an over against our well balanced bowling attack. Game on!

The new Holme Pierrpont ground had a lovely pavilion and in ten years time when the trees mature to offer some shelter, we will surely see a ground worthy of staging Cup Finals and Notts CCC 2nd XI fixtures – unfortunately at present it is more like Platt Lane, Arthur Oldham’s dwarf like showers the only thing missing!! Teas had to eaten in the same room as the adjacent Wilson’s team – the external caterers ensured a marked increase in the quality of teas provided for the Wilson’s visitors, but on the Gedling table pizza, pasties and pork pie ensured Ted and Bobby’s calorie intake was high and some jam doughnuts were offered to help Strongy and IG get some energy into their temples once again.

Rocket's eyes lit up when he saw the lively wicket and bowled a fast, aggressive opening stint, more like the bowler he was in 2006 than the trundler who rarely chipped in during last season’s title bid! Unfortunately the new Gedling pro (Samrat Sharma) also had a glint in his eye as he chanced his arm and hit the ball powerfully through the offside as soon as he was offered any width. Sharma’s opening partner was the ex-KCC legend and once Cup Final Man of the Match Smudger Smith.

Ian continued to demonstrate why we charge our pro just £5 a week as he dropped Simon whilst on four off Rocket. Smudger offered good support as the openers rattled up a 50 partnership.
Rocket treated Smith to some short stuff which had the journeyman dancing around like Ricky Hatton but we still made no breakthrough. So the openers gave way to Dave Miller and Alex ‘Edison’ Sheriston who both bowled tight spells which showed maturity and discipline beyond their years. This gives all at the Club reason for much optimism for the future.

With the score at 80 for 0 after the first 20 overs, the rate was up to 5 required per over but we needed to get wickets to stand a chance! IG was introduced to show the skills he possesses in the third department and he instantly got the breakthrough, getting Smudger out LBW for 25 after the ex-KCC man middled one onto his pad!

The turning point of the match then came as Rocket spilled a relatively straight forward chance at mid wicket off our off spinner and Sharma was given a 2nd chance whilst on 40. Dropping the batting professional twice cost us victory on the opening day against Long Eaton but just to ensure a level of consistency, the comedy of errors continued when Sharma was again given a lifeline in the 60’s… Top edging a pull off IG, the ball went 30 feet in the air and was set to land in the clutched palms of either Andy Hiller-Sister at mid wicket, or the usually rock solid Charlie Strong at mid on. Unfortunately the voice boxes were on mute and not even a hand was placed on the leather. Iggy kicked the ground and aired his understandable frustration, to confirm his knowledge that he was now playing in the Village League!

Baker and Iggy tried to take the pace off the ball and make the batsmen force the pace but Blake and Sharma chanced their arm hitting gaps and boundaries alike to close in on the total. Rocket came back for a final burst and bowled Sharma as he tried a showboat sweep off the French international, gone for 88 with only 6 needed for victory. The red ink turning to black would have had Drurs seething! The new batsman headed a Rocket bouncer first ball for 4 before hitting the winning two runs with 16 balls to spare.

A tight competitive game where dropping the Professional once again made a large difference in the potential outcome.

The positives to come out of the day were the tight bowling of Dave Hiller-Sister, the debut of Eddie Sheriston, and the news that we were far superior to the previous teams which Gedling have beaten to go top of Division A. So we have plenty to look forward to in the coming months!

Rocket dropped his man of the match award, so not one given, but don’t miss next week’s home fixture to Radcliffe as the Aussies are doing teas (including Helen’s mum's Lemington cakes) so get some prawns ready to chuck on the barbie!!

Electric Show From Cowlard

An electric all round performance from Andy Cowlard lit up a cold dull day at the Fortress of Dreams.

Thurgarton were the visitors and Cowlard’s only blemish on the day was to lose the toss and we batted first. Our openers had extra pressure with a girl opening the bowling down the hill. Ernie was soon suckered fourth ball by his Sunday side chums, pulling a rank long hop to short fine leg for a duck.

Dale had felt like a council wheelie bin: left out overnight by the selectors on Wednesday, then brought back in late on Friday. He was bristling with intent and timed the ball like Gower from the off. For Drurs, it was like old times batting with Kingy, still in single figures as the 50 came up in rapid time, Wensley cracking seven blistering boundaries.

The introduction of pie-throwers at both ends slowed the scoring. Dale had a century there for the taking, but threw his chance away with a horrible slog, out for a glorious 48. Drurs followed soon after, bowled round his legs sweeping for 23.

Slow bowling and an even slower pitch didn’t play to the strengths of Paul Lay and Dave Garland, but the pair showed admirable restraint in putting on a second fifty partnership of the innings. Paul survived some close LBW’s before playing on for 26.

Cowlard came in at six and played straighter than anyone could ever remember. AC and DG accumulated steadily with good running between the wickets and saw the innings through to the close. A pre-match application of linseed oil to his willow had clearly benefited Garland bringing up his fifty in the penultimate over. Cowlard allowed himself a trademark slog to mid-wicket off the final ball to raise his own score to 40 and the team to an impressive 209-4 at the break.

Tea was a fantastic spread courtesy of the Legge’s. The insalata di tonno con piselli narrowly pipped the barbabietola con orange, while the sublime torta di cioccolato send the calorie count off the dial.

In reply, Leggy only went for just three scoring shots in his first four overs, sadly they were 6,6 and 4, and one enormous six bounded on down Nottingham Road. Mike Smith disappeared for an age after the ball. Most thought he’d nipped to Coral’s for the 4.15 at Thirsk, but it later transpired a twisted ankle was to blame.

Cowlard made the first breakthrough removing the dangerous opener with a proper wicket, Ernie snaffling an outside edge. In his next over another breakthrough as Davey G held onto a sharp chance at gully. Then the highlight of the innings as AC claimed two in two balls. At 30-4 Thurgarton were in disarray. Cowlard’s previous hat-trick ball had been a leg side wide, but this time was more on target, narrowly failing to get an edge with eight slips and a gully waiting.

The game was pretty much up at this point and the following 20 overs were turgid viewing for the sparse crowd, only Rebecca and the Tollerton Express braving the elements. Dave G was brought on for some flight and guile. Cowlard misunderstood the calls for ‘F&G’ thinking fags and gin were on offer at the drinks break. Mike Smith bowled a tight spell up the hill, only going for 11 off his 5 overs, before going lame with his twisted ankle. Ground fielding was tight with Johnny Rogers and Tuckers sharing the fielding point.

The Adonis took over and finally made a double breakthrough, Ernie trapping a low edge between his pads, followed by a clean bowled. Leggy nipped in with another down the hill, before Cowlard finished his 12 overs with two more scalps to finish with magnificent figures of 6-36 off 12 overs.

By now the NE wind was whipping in and most were dreaming of a hot shower, Leggy claiming that he hadn’t been as stiff since his wedding night.

Paul Lay had promised JB a pint should he take 3 wickets for less than 50 runs. The Adonis could smell the hops bowling at Thurgarton’s jack, but Paul took matters into his own hands with a sharp run out to finish the innings off for 137 in the final over.

20 points and a fine all round performance to see us to the top of the table.

KCC Golf Day

Details of the 3rd KCC Golf Day are confirmed as follows:

• Friday 13th June
• Stanton on the Wolds Golf Club
• Tee times between 1.00 - 3.00
• Teams of Four
• £40 per person
• Price includes 18 holes golf, belt-busting evening meal, prizes
  
  
• We have space for a maximum of 12 teams, first come first served. Don't worry if you haven't got a team, we'll match you up with others.
  
  
• Enter your team with Bobby, Meeky or Drurs

Ernie Lays Into Long Whatton

A decidedly makeshift 2nd XI welcomed Long Whatton to the Field of Dreams on what may turn out to be the hottest day of the year. As is the lot of all second teams Long Whatton had also lost key members to their First's so bringing half a dozen juniors. Strange to think that one of our players had more mileage on the clock than 5 of theirs put together!

The shock of winning the coin toss clearly went to AC's head as he elected to field in soaring temperatures. Opening duo of Cowlard and Boss Hogg toiled away but to no avail. The biggest cheer of the day was the arrival of Bally resplendent in whites that still had mud from Lambley two seasons ago.

The openers looked set until the introduction of a noticeably quicker version of Elliott junior. Liam was probably the only bowler all day to get meaningful movement and he soon found the edge for Ernie to take. Soon after the other opener followed by playing on. Ably assisted by a fine spell from Murali (12-2-19-1) and some great fielding the brakes were applied.

Disaster struck when Liam had to leave the field for some ice pack treatment but every cloud has a silver lining. Enter Adonis. JB took a few overs to get his range but he removed the stubborn No 3 which led to a steady procession as no one else really got going. Wickets were spread round all the bowlers and a direct hit run out by Duncan meant 124 for 9 was good effort from everybody.

Tea was the usual high standard from Jude. But I'm sure I felt the presence of four spectres drooling over our spread particularly the melon, strawberries and chocolate cake.

The reply was started with Ernie, convincing himself that he had to do a Drurs, and star all rounder Ball opening as he had a taxi leaving at six. Just in case he'd forgotten a well timed shout from her indoors on the boundary was swiftly followed by a slog too far. With a wafer thin batting line up his 8 runs were very welcome.

Matt got off to his usual all guns blazing start before realising that someone had to keep Ernie company if we were to have a chance. After a cautious look at the bowling on offer Ernie began to take control with some aggressive shots some of which were in front of square!

Matt meanwhile was getting bogged down not being able to lay bat on deliveries three foot outside leg stump. When the inevitable straight one arrived it completely bamboozeled him. But not as much as AC was when a dolly came with snow on it. The disappointment as he trundled off was magnified at the sight of Boss Hogg strolling out to the middle a good six places higher up the order than normal. But the Boss kept Ernie company for awhile until like everyone else got out just as they looked to be getting comfortable.

At this point some 50 runs still short the visitors could sense an upset. Unfortunately for them, so could Ernie, who preceded to tonk Bob Marley for 22 runs in his next over. This galvanised all but the bat throwing Elliott junior (name on the shower curtain). With commendable help from Mike Smith and the unbeaten Johnny Rogers, Ernie crossed the finish line 77 n.o. to cap a brilliant display and victory by 4 wickets with more than 10 overs to spare.

A big thank you to Bally, Johnny Rogers and Chris Soar for turning out at the eleventh hour as today was very much an eleven man team effort.

Grant Edges It For Firsts

An amazing last ball victory for the fabulous Firsts away at Unity Casuals.

Rocket lost the toss and we were condemned to three hours hard graft in blistering heat. Field positions were to be communicated by hand gesture only with an 80's disco pounding in Yazz and Rick Astley from over the pavilion, while the junior football comp' on the adjacent field had the microphone dialled up to the max. The Miller Sisters had more than a passing interest in the inflatable bouncy slide.

Despite not taking a wicket in the initial 20 overs our pace attack was miserly, supported by great fielding from Mr Tuckwell in particular. Rocket probed away outside off stump, while Bill and then Ben wobbled it in the extreme humidity, Andy going for just 11 in his 6 overs.

Finally Bobby made the breakthrough with a back leg LBW. Monty came in at no.3 and was immediately teeing off like his name sake Colin. Bobby saved his plums but not his blushes spilling a sharp caught and bowled, and this signalled an hour of carnage.

Unity's vast outfield was proving harder to defend than Gordon Brown's taxation policy. Fielding in the deep required binoculars to pick out the action on the square and emergency air traffic control was needed at East Midlands to divert incoming planes from a succession of brutal slogs. Drurs was peppered at long on and only managed to tip over a booming drive. Ted swapped with his fellow carthorse and was delighted to be chasing leather. An all run 7 at one stage looked possible.

The Millers were boosted by the arrival of a second drinks break, plus KCC legend Palmer with news that Keyworth Colts had reached the final of the junior football tournament. After an 18 month lay off Paul Lay was doing a fine job behind the stumps with Bomber bowling a series of yorkers that pegged back the score.

To keep the home side to 220-3 at the break was remarkable. Tea was a dry cheerless spread, devoid of any salad. Strong British Rail tea was the highlight unless you were lucky enough to bag a slice of pineapple. After three hours in the heat the regular Stiffs players were hallucinating with news that melon, strawberries and chocolate cake was on the menu back at the Field of Dreams.

Unity's quickie paced out his run up to the outskirts of Ruddington and we spent an hour on the back foot. The Sisters had by now lost interest in the bouncy slide and were more concerned with the uneven number of paces in the quickie's run up, which bang on cue led to a no ball. Then controversy. Grant swished at a wide one and everyone in the ground seemed to hear a snick bar the umpire and our deaf Aussie.

Shortly after Iggy was out for 17. Ted took a while to get going but was soon rolling back the years with some lovely lofts off his legs, harking back to his pomp with a fine 30. Rocket was unusually scratchy taking 20 balls for his solitary run.

Drurs came in at 5 and was soon running between the wickets with all the mobility of a dalek. It was therefore boundaries or bust. Shelley was soon swapping the club sun hat for a tin hat as the pair targeted the shorter pavilion boundary. Grant opened his second innings with three sixes and Drurs lamped two more off the hapless spinner, one landing in the first floor bar! The pair put on 106 to set up a fabulous finale. After three hours and a minute at the crease, GP was finally out caught in the penultimate over for 87 off 131 balls.

Bobby strode to the crease. For the first, and probably only time in his career, Drurs was able to tell his big hitting pal to push a single. It was in one ear and out the other though as Rob swung and missed.

12 were need off the final over. Drurs was caught on the boundary for 49 off 57 balls, but had brought Rob back on strike. A massive six then notched the tension levels up even higher. With the line in sight, Rob couldn't quite clear the long off boundary, out for a priceless 12. Dougie hadn't yet faced a delivery and was joined by Tuckers with two needed for victory off the final ball. Dougie clubbed the ball to mid wicket and saw Tuckers already lapping him. Our Aussie hero turned to see a wayward throw and dived into his ground to secure the winning run.

An unbelievable victory with everyone from 1 to 11 contributing.

Firsts Beaten by Long Eaton

With Underwood underwater, the Firsts who got the season underway at home to Long Eaton.

The selection committee had needed a revolving door policy all week with more casualties than an episode of Holby City.

Bowling first and with Rocket away, Strongy revelled in a downhill run and had the new cherry seaming. The Long Eaton openers rode out the early storm and soon began to expand their range of shots.

Cowlard had a day to forget, largely due to the 15 pints the night before: 'never again' he grumbled, after two dropped catches. The Long Eaton pro gleefully accepted his let offs and helped himself to a ton, testing out the new bottom end fence with a series of flowing drives.

Nerves were frayed, off the pitch, as star all-rounder Ball struggled with technology and had to rely on updates from the opposition's battered tranny to keep tabs on Forest's promotion push. Bobby went for 18 in an over and was mystified to get a round of applause, unaware that the final whistle had just blown at the City Ground!

Benji had his usual run out in the closing stages and Strongy returned to cap the late run chase, 3-38 off 12 the pick of the bowling. 215-6 at tea.

Jean set the bar high with a glorious spread. Among the many highlights were prawn sandwiches and clotted cream scones.

Ted battled through the early exchanges only to be bowled off his pads. In his last visit to the crease before a trip to the farrier, Benji played a couple of glorious straight drives, before being bowled by a beauty. Dougie and Meeky then gave Bomber solid support and we were still in the hunt at halfway.

Jemma had spotted a fine business opportunity with so many of the Millers' squad crocked. And the queue at the physio's couch was longer than at Laddy's Bar on 2020 day. Leggy went for a consultation on his dicky ankle and was advised to see a vet, while Drurs needed a full can of Duckhams hypergrade to get his back moving again.

Meanwhile, Bomber wasn't at his fluent best, but still played some glorious cover drives, until playing across a straight one on 65.

Keyworth legend Palmer arrived in time to see Cowlard at the crease. AC was soon playing to the gallery with a trademark snap hook through mid wicket, much like his 9iron off the 9th fairway the previous day that hit the clubhouse window!

The lower order struggled in the gathering gloom and Barry was set a puzzle: had we ever played out for a losing draw in KCC history? Bobby offered 7/4 against it, and Dave Hiller-Sister was caught behind next ball, before anyone had chance to lump on.

135 all out was a brave effort.