First Blood to the Plums

A lovely sunny evening saw neighbours Plumtree arrive in town. The nature of the fixture ensuring a bumper crowd with many familiar faces, including Sticky Palmer with son Joe in the opposition ranks.

Catching practice was in full swing with the cradle and net being put through its paces. Plumtree elected to bat with Legge and Tuckwell, behind closed doors, going through the final preparations and outlining the significance of the match.

The King of Swing, Tudor, was unplayable up the slope with wicked flight and drift for two successive maidens. Steiner was also unplayable, unfortunately the wide ball being wide, causing Legge to nearly take off with excessive arm movements but the score remained very tidy, 21-0 off 8

Shepherd built up a head of steam down the hill but couldn’t find a way through. With the opener into double figures it was Captain Normington who made the break through with a timely caught and bowled, as the score began to accelerate. Mills removed off stump with his final ball, a proud moment for watching Grandfather and ex-KCC President, Alan Copson. 46-2 off 14

A fantastic bowling partnership by Newell (2-1) and Healey (2-1) ground the Plumtree innings to a halt. Newell removed dangerman Machin, forcing a looping drive down the throat of Brown at mid wicket, to ensure bragging rights in the playground.

Healey had Legge purring with a series of in swinging deliveries, the penultimate removing Joe Palmer’s off stump. Neece pounced on another steepling catch off the bowling of Stolworthy, with dad arriving in the nick of time to witness the fine handling.

56-5 off 20 was a very pleasing fielding total which certainly turned a few heads.

A job well done in the field

Normington and Healey opened with the Plumtree strike bowlers on top but unable to beat the resolute defence. Palmer with equal unerring accuracy with a double maiden. Normington was the first to return to the hutch, bowled, with the game delicately poised at 19-1 off 8.

Healey 10* was retired leaving Shepherd to stride to the crease. Unfortunately he strode straight back as eyes lit up to a slow flighted straight one, suffering the fate of many KCC legends before and no doubt future. But with every cloud, Hennessy stepped up to the plate and rekindled thoughts of a victory with some fine leg side hitting, before retiring on 11.

5 runs in 4 overs swung the advantage back to Plumtree. Cairns fell to a peach leaving Steiner to steady the ship and requiring 11 off 18 balls. Palmer was brought back and promptly took the wicket of Steiner finishing with a superb figures of 3-2-3-1.

With a tight line and length being delivered Brown and Tudor tried to push KCC over the winning line. Tudor was caught on the penultimate delivery leaving Neece to hit a boundary off the final ball for glory. An excellent ball outside off stump meant it wasn’t to be, on another nail biting night. 53-5 off 20.

Testament to how far the boys have come and how much they have raised the bar, in that there was almost an air of disappointment not to have won – and this in only their third ever competitive game and after barely 14 weeks together. Well done. We are very proud of you.