Shortsgate

The best evening of the year saw a trip up the ringroad to Wollaton in the 11 aside league. Shepherd was still on his holidays, with Tudor still acclimatising from South Africa. Cairns, dealt the news of broken wrist to a dejected Leggey who had earmarked the all rounder to open the batting but tried his right hand at scoring. Devenney (or mini-Harry) was whisked from the Willow Brook Cricket Academy, to complete the line up.

If my maths are wrong I hold you completely responsible Mr Tuckwell!

With a schools match finishing up, Legge held an ‘Audience with’ the importance of responding well after a bad delivery, using the own experiences of being carted into the playground on Saturday and the Rudd first change bowler who delivered a 17 ball over before being so demoralised his mate had to finish off.

Excuse me, Leggy, where did you get hit for 6? Back over your head? Cow Corner? Or into next week?

Normington lost the toss as Wollaton elected to bat. The instruction to the bowlers was to pitch the ball up, which is exactly what Newell and Brown did, before Brown scattered the stumps in the third over, for a well deserved maiden KCC wicket. 24-1 off 4.

Steiner was first change with leading wicket taker Stolworthy. A second over 'Steiner maiden' was followed by ‘Shortsgate’ – Stolworthy playing in a pair of black football shorts due to a washing machine malfunction. A terrific ball that seamed back removed the number 3 dangerman as a report was lodged to the scorers that the ball could not be spotted form the dark shorts material… This was met by derision and scorn by Tuckwell but fuelled further as Stolworthy took a second wicket in the over, bowling the number 4, as Shortsgate threatened to esculate. I mean, perhaps it’s not technically cricket but straws and clutching come to mind. 38-3 off 8.

The ground fielding was excellent with Neece and Newell sharp and Hennessy a rock behind the stumps. Impressively only one wide in the first 6 overs, well done. Normington had an over to forget but recomposed for a much improved second. 70 – 3 off 11

Healey span the game on its head and left Tuckwell floundering for his wallet as first a beautifully flighted inswinger removed middle stump. This was followed with the faintest of glances that feathered the off stump bail to the ground, to the bemusement of the batter and most watching. The £5 hat trick delivery was dug out. Mills kept the scoring down with a tight first over. 85-5 off 15.

Neece (3-0-11-1) finished off excellently and thoroughly deserved a first LBW of the season with the penultimate ball of the innings, as the number 5 departed for a joint top score of 27. Steiner (4-1-18-0) Healey (3-0-15-2) and Stolworthy (2-0-10-2) proved able foils with the ball as Wollaton finished on 118 for 6.

Normington dropped down the order which allowed Coulthard to open with Healey. The former whipped a terrific ball off his legs for the first boundary of the innings as 11-0 off 2 was reached. Coulthard was unlucky as a top edge looped gratefully into the keepers waiting mitts. Neece late cut for a cheeky double followed by an excellent boundary, but was unfortunately skittled with a slower delivery. 22-2 off 4

Normington crashed one through the covers for 4 but was sent back to the hutch after a well flighted ball drew him in and hit the stumps. Devenney was very unfortunate pushing through for a quick single, but the ball popped straight into the hands of the fielder who fizzed one into the keeper as the third umpire ruled ‘out’, just. At 30-4 off 6 the tail were sensing that a bat was on the cards.

Happy to bat at 11, Newell was hoisted up the order with plenty of potential displayed in the nets and set about rebuilding the innings with Healey. Fine running and an abundance of boundaries, whipped off the legs and crashed into the off side were racked up, as we were handily placed at 58-4 off 10.

Healey surpassed Neecey’s top score of 20 as Tuckwell began nervously checking the wallet again. With the 50 partnership approaching, Healey ran out of steam and couldn’t quite carry midwicket which concluded an excellent knock of 25, in a 45 run partnership with Newell. The game was poised at 75 for 4 of 13 compared to 77 for 5 at the same stage for Wollaton.

Hennessy managed to add one to the total before being dismissed, by the Wollaton top run scorer, who then effectively ended the game with a devastating over. Stolworthy was then caught and bowled and Steiner kept out the hat trick delivery before looping a top edge to the keeper on the next delivery. Mills was drawn in by a beauty and giving the keeper a trio of catches.

Last man Brown promptly smashed a cover drive to the ropes and some cheeky singles saw 90 passed before the opener returned to bowl Newell with a peach. Newell finishing on a career best and excellent 24. 92 all out off 18.3

26 runs short but the best performance to date, a real team effort. Well done.