The heat is on

Surely it would happen this week? Winning the toss that is! But no, for a fifth successive week the toss was lost, by Bobby again, as IG was away watching Babar play rugby.

This allowed the visitors, Loughborough Carillion, to take full advantage of a featherbed at a scorching Field of Dreams.

The home side's chances of a first win were not helped from the off as yet again only 10 men were in the field after army recruit Fraser Stretton, given a chance to show his worth having been called up from the 2's, went AWOL (again) and failed to show. Also not available were Rocket Rendu and Dougie Bayford.

Keyworth's opening bowler Andy Wilcox, who is so laid back he makes Chris Gayle look athletic, had a torrid 2 over spell down the hill, seeing 26 come off them before he was replaced by the improving Dave Hiller, who is gaining in confidence with every match. At the other end, his brother Andy should have got an LBW first over as a low full toss hit the big No2 on the toe plumb in front. The umpire thought he had hit it at he tried to dig it out, but the batsman admitted the following over that he hadn't, leading to the umpire apologising to the incandescent bowler. The Loughborough opening pair went on to make 130 in 20 overs, giving only a couple of half-chances prior to the first breakthrough which was made by Dave Strong (2-58).

Young Ben Elliott put in another solid performance behind the stumps, taking one great catch by running around to gulley and diving full-length. His very own Father Ted had the UN checking their equipment for another underground nuclear test by North Korea following one diving stop that must have measured 4.1 on the Richter scale.

The visitors' top four made the Keyworth bowlers toil, each getting 50's (56, 68, 61, 73). Only Bobby Baker seemed to have their measure as he returned 4-86 from his 16 overs. Bobby would have got a deserved 'five-for' in his last over had non-cap wearer Andy Hiller not been bedazzled by the sun on the deep square leg boundary, pulling out at the last minute to protect his good looks. The runs continued to be piled on as the lack of an 11th man told, and a massive 326-8 was reached at tea.

At least the ex-youth policy of the Hiller sisters (helped by non playing vice captain Tinno) delivered on the food front, with curried chicken open sandwiches and fruit kebabs the highlights.

So it was up to the Millers to bat the overs, but unfortunately the top order, barring Marc Bailey (39) weren't up to the task and the writing was on the wall as Ted (1), Lee Potts (6) Dale (2) and Rob Baker (6 and out!) quickly came and went. It was only top all-rounder Dave Strong (42) and the stylish Ben Elliott (39), who shared a 64 run partneship, that looked like salvaging a draw for the hosts. But the ninth and final wicket fell in the 35th over with 140 on the board, leaving the firsts still winless so far this season.