Brown Seals Last Ball Maiden Victory.

A familiar sight, as the 5pm meet was surrounded by grey skies but optimism still. The spirits sank through Tollerton as the heavens opened and were marginally lifted at Holme Pierrpont with some brighter areas on the horizon. But fear not! Come 6 o clock lovely sunshine and game on, against a Gedling and Sherwood side organised by former Keyworth player, Simon 'Smudger' Smith, who has introduced an entire Junior Section from scratch at all age groups this year.

An inspiring team talk! Mackenzie (left) visualising his boundaries or auditioning for Star Wars VII

Tudor and Neece were absent as Normington returned. 20 overs pairs was the format for the evening: 4 overs per pair, -5 runs for a wicket, as Gelding elected to bat.

Brown and Steiner opened the bowling attack with the latter striking with his first delivery, removing off stump and being at the centre of a fine run out with his last delivery

214 off 4

Shepherd (6-1) and Stolworthy (6-2) turned the screw on the second pair. Stolworthy, perhaps the pick of the bowlers, had a double break through in his opening over: a clean bowled and then grateful for one of the most superb bits of fielding I have ever had the pleasure to witness. Cairns flew full stretch at a well hit lofted cover drive, managing to finger tip it over the crossbar. Steiner, alert as ever, sensing the opportunity, swooped in, making a one handed pick up off his ankles. Forgetting his impartial role as umpire, Legge was like a spring lamb gamboling around! Shepherd not to be out done scattered the stumps with his final delivery.

212 off 8

Cairns, with his palms still stinging, disrupted the bails in his first over as he faced the pick of the Gedling pairs with Coulthard.

228 off 12

Hennessy (7-1) and Mills (6-1) kept the penultimate pair in order, both striking in their second overs: Safe hands Newell taking a smart catch at point and Mills finding his way through a forward defensive.

232 off 16

An impressive finish for Keyworth saw Newell (3-0) and Normington (5-1) limit the scoring: Normington crucially finding a breakthrough in the final over.

235 off 20 overs. (80 runs less 9 wickets at -5 a piece)

With the skies darkening. Normington and Healey opened up amidst a sharp shower. A boundary a piece saw the score move along nicely before Healey presented a difficult caught and bowled opportunity that was gladly taken.

211 off 4 (214 off 4)

Shepherd, the powerhouse, was accompanied by the perfect foil in Newell: the latter technically astute and alert between the wickets. Shepherd was keen to keep Cliff and Jean warm in the pavilion, and hit a quartet of massive boundaries before playing round a straight one.

228 off 8 (212 off 8)

Coulthard saw his stumps dislodged twice but some good running and a Stolworthy boundary kept the pair in plus figures.

229 off 12. (228 off 12)

With most of the big hitters gone it was left to Steiner and Cairns to form the most important partnership of the evening. Without hitting a boundary the pair produced a chance less knock, with a masterclass in backing up and alternating the left hand / right hand strike with quick singles.

243 off 16 (232 off 16)

Jack Cairns and Dominic Steiner.

Brown and Mills set off amidst a chorus of ‘just don’t get out’ block it’, ‘hit a boundary but don’t get out.’ Ok we get it, don’t get out! A bye edged the score close to a 2 wicket advantage before Mills was caught in the first ball of the next over. A further wicket fell before Brown swatted one from round his ears which agonisingly fell short of the boundary, but vital runs edged the Millers in front. Mills saw out the remaining deliveries, leaving Brown to face the final 6 balls with a slender 2 run advantage that could have been wiped out with a wicket. A text book forward defensive showing sealed the first victory as the boys flooded onto the field and the supporters breathed a satisfying sigh of relief.

238 off 20: 68 runs less 6 wickets

A fantastic night boys, congratulations. Bring on Plumtree Tuesday night at the Rec, 6 pm start, followed by Caythorpe on Thursday, same place and time, for the first league game.

Thanks to Smudger and all those at Gedling. We wish you all the best with the excellent things you are aiming to achieve.