Rain Doesn't Stop Play

There was more chance of Caythorpe turning up the week previous than Thursdays game against Kimberley happening. A monsoon like rain cloud hovering across the whole of the Midlands on Breakfast TV had Tuckwell bracing himself for a night of Corro.

With no rain by 4, and told to pull himself together by Legge, it was game on in overcast conditions. Cairns, Newell and Stolworthy came in for Tudor, Coulthard and Mills. The latter bringing up a freshly baked batch of team blueberry muffins, inspired!

Sharon Cairns cranked up the urn and bagged up the penny chews in the Tuckers shop, ably assisted by George and Billy, and opened for business with a queue of cash laiden kids and cold adults.

Healey and Shepherd opened as a well drilled Kimberley outfit took the field. With a tight line being bowled both openers looked to go aerial, but unfortunately unable to clear the inner ring offering 3 chances that were professionally gathered. 195 off 4

Neece got an absolute pearler second ball, a faint outside edge looked to be rocketing to the boundary but the keeper took a magnificent diving catch. Normington set about the attack with a captains performance and some excellent running saw the pair put on 22 runs for their 4 overs. 211 off 8

The keeper took a faint edge off Newell and squared Stolworthy up for a hat trick delivery that was fended off. Runs were hard to come by but the pair kept the ball down. 199 off 12.

Everyones favourite lefty, Steiner, accelerated the wides count, joined by Cairns. Accurate bowling and some loose lofted shots presented 3 gladly pouched catches. Steiner warmed the huddled support with back to back boundaries and 14 off an over. 200 off 16.

Hennessy and Brown faced the returning opening bowlers who teased the pair into playing some shots with the ball rarely deviating off middle. 191 off 20. (269 for 13)

As the clouds darkened and the brollies went up Newell took the opening bar of soap. A mix up between the batsmen ,on the first ball of the over, saw Healey firing dart like to Hennessy behind the stumps, who whipped off the bails for a dream start and leading to the customary mass celebrations! Brown bowled in tandem, very tidily down the hill. 213 off 4.

Steiner (11-0) and Stolworthy (5-0) bowled very well as the rain began to strengthen. The Kimberley duo gave the Keyworth boys a batting lesson in valuing their wicket and accepting the wide deliveries to increase the total to 229 off 8.

Neece (12-1) raised the spirits in his first over, Umpire Legge, raising his finger as one wrapped the pads before reprimanding Hennessy and Normington for discussing the relative merits of You-tube.

At a gross 243 off 10 overs Tuckwell jinxed the Kimberley innings discussing to his counter part that 300 could be attainable, a feat achieved in Kimberleys previous matches.

Shepherd was having none of it and bowled his best spell to date and warranted an extra 3rd over. A slower run up increased the accuracy and proved unplayable, but was unable to find the edge. A huge LBW shout disorientated the batsman who took off for a quick single but Neece fired into Hennessy for the second run out of the day.

Cairns removed middle stump with his first delivery and some excellent fielding gave him the pick of the bowling figures, 2-0-4-1. 236 off 15.

Normington and Healey finished off as the rain eased and the gloom darkened. The Kimberley duo once again treating the straight ball with respect and offering a chance less final knock amidst good line and length. 254 off 20. 278 for 4.

In the cold light of day a 63 run defeat but many positives to be taken from the game. The first competitive league game against a very good Kimberley side that were well disciplined and far more experienced in keeping their wickets.

Kimberley managed only 8 more runs to show once again that the boys are comparable in the field and with the ball in hand. Which backs up what the boys have shown in every game so far.

The art of the pairs game is to not get out and with wides at 2 runs a piece, forming roughly half of the innings totals so far, there is plenty of chance to post a sizeable total.

Enthusiasm still sky high and fantastic to see.

Wollaton at home on Tuesday @ 6pm. Wollaton away on Thursday @ 6pm.