So Close Yet So Far at the Second Attempt.

Tuesday Night. Wollaton Under 11's in the cup. Customary rain clouds gathering as clear blue skies surrounded the Field of Dreams. Normington won the toss and it was KCC padding up for an innings on the grass wicket.

Normington fell 3rd ball for a regulation caught and bowled, before dad arrived. Neece followed in the next over playing on cruelly via the foot. A quick single left Shepherd stranded and at 15 for 3 off 5 it looked like an early night was on the cards. Healey chipped away supported ably by Coulthard before the latter fell leaving us staring down the barrel at 20 for 4 off 7.

So often the last resort of rescuing a test for the England XI, the heavens duly opened with all its glory leaving Tuckers' Tuck Shop queing 5 deep and a roaring trade.



30 minutes passed before the clear skies appeared, unfortunately the wicket a foot underwater. Legge set off for the best sweep of the season to ensure a 12 over slog... match...could ensue, on the artificial.



Mixed emotion for the home team as the same batting line up gave those already in the hutch a second bite of the cherry and tail baying for wickets to tumble. Dismissals were cheered as wholesomely as boundaries. 'Hit your wickets Brooker' could be heard faintly from days gone by...



Double boundaries from Normington raced the score on to 15-0 off 3 before being run out pushing for a quick single. Neece was determined to prove his worth and meant business. Healey surpassed his first innings double figure score with some hard running before being the first wicket to be dismissed in the 9th over with the score on a pleasing 42.

Shepherd paced to the crease but unfortunately spotted a shiny metallic feathery water creature and was quickly followed by Steiner after both batsmen found themselves at the same end. 43-4 off 9. Vocal calypso team support cheered on every lusty blow from the willow of Neece.

Stolworthy came and went leaving Coulthard as support. 1 run off the final 2 overs slowed the rate to leave a searching 55-6 off 12. Neece the pick of the batters with an excellent 20 and the highest score to date. 56 the victory total.

The ever dependable Newell (3-0) opened up the hill ably supported, in the absence of Brown, by Healey (4-1), who removed the off stump with his penultimate delivery.
9-1 off 4.

The change bowlers would be key and didn't disappoint; Steiner (6-0) caused confusion and Normington destroyed the stumps at midwicket with a direct hit. Shepherd (10-0) bowled well, as the arm was being chanced. 25-2 off 8. Normington consolidated up the slope leaving Wollaton with 26 required off 3 overs.

A dream start for Stolworthy saw a rank rank full toss slammed high and hard over deep midwicket. Unfortunately for the opposition, a man you'd put your mortgage on, Newell, slid in taking a spectacular catch and was promptly mobbed by his team mates.

However this was to be the last highlight of the evening as some aggressive long handle and wide deliveries saw the total polished off with an over to spare.

Disappointment, but plenty of positives and hopefully lessons to be learned and valuable experience gained. Well done.