Scooby-dooby-does it for Keyworth

The firsts made it two in two as Ellerslie were deservedly beaten at a sunny Field of Dreams, gaining revenge for the one wicket loss earlier in the season. The win meant that the Millers moved up out of bottom place for the first time this season, keeping the Great Escape mission alive and well.

Again, key players were missing with Baker, Strong, Bayford, Elliott(s), Somekh and Potts all absent, but Paul Lay, Chris Soar and Andy Green ably stood up to do their duty for King and Keyworth.

The wet weather is making for bowler friendly wickets, and it was a good toss won by skipper Tindsley that saw the visitors stuck in on a green seamer that would dry out and get easier to bat on as the match progressed.

The bowling and fielding display was the best seen this season, with the 'Magnet and Steel' award going to Emma-Dale who couldn't escape the ball this week. Rocket (2-57 from 14) and Andy Hiller-sister (0-19 from 8) opened up and made the ball dart all over the place, with Paul Lay doing well on a number of occasions to stop 4-byes. The opening batsmen frequently played and missed, but it wasn't until the 11th over when a thick edge spun out to point and Emma dived to take the catch at the second attempt. Tony Scooby Newby (1-35 from 10) replaced Rocket down the hill and Dave Hiller (1-29 from 6) replace his sister as the skipper searched for quick wickets.

Ellerslie's star man Husnain Riaz (37 from 80 balls) opened the batting (and bowling) and only seemed content when hitting out, and it was to the credit of all opening 4 bowlers that they bowled in the right areas to stifle his attacking intent. He controversially fell, at 78-2, to the bowling of Dangerous (hardly apt now since he's changed to being a spinner) Dave Hiller, being caught behind in Ponting fashion, as the livid batsman claimed he'd hit his toe rather than the ball. It's all swings and roundabouts really as he should have been out the over before to Scooby following the umpire seeing an inside edge to a plum LBW that no-one else, including the batsmen, heard.

Three quick wickets fell with Paul Lay taking a steepler running backwards, pirouetting like a ballerina to take a good catch (97-4 after 30 overs).

IG followed up last weeks 5-wicket haul with another five-for (5-33 from 10), with his F&G and rip being too good for the visitors middle order. Andy Hiller redeemed some earlier fielding misdemeanours (like having the turning circle of the Exxon Valdez) by taking a great catch at short mid wicket... well, it was a case of self preservation as the batsman middled one straight at love's young dream, so it was either catch it or face a trip to A&E.

The Tinman showed he had a heart in the final overs as he called back a batsmen who was given out after the retuning Rocket took off the bails at the non-strikers end as he came into bowl. The batsman was about 3 yards down, and the Law states you don't have to give a warning (thanks Shelley), but the skipper rightly kept the spirit of cricket alive and gave the player a 2nd chance.

Keyworth weren't able to extract the final wicket, but 189-9 was about par given the conditions. The Millers, despite their depleted line up, knew that batting would be easier after the break, so a sensible innings should see a comfortable victory.

Tea was well received with the Collisons on savoury and the Grahams on sweet duty; BLT's and fresh sliced fruit were the highlights. The opposition enquired about which outside caterers were used!

Drurs looked slightly worse for wear as he turned up to watch following Laddy's wedding and free bar. There was talk of some moves being put down on the dance floor, leaving everyone wondering if the other guests minded him doing 3 laps of the room followed by some light stretching before he'd attempt YMCA.

Keyworth needed a good start, but soon were 13-2 as Marc Bailey (1) and Dale Collison (0) were caught behind off Riaz (5-45 from 15). However, Tinno (37 from 86 balls) and his mentor Graham (65 from 63 balls) put on a 90 run partnership despite the skippers bat sounding like a bit of 2x4.

At 107-3 at halfway things were back on track, however the final 80 runs were not without incident, leaving the remaining batsmen walking around like expectant fathers. Tinno fell with the score at 150, getting to within sniffing distance of the finishing line. Scooby has been batting like Ian Bell of late, so it'll comfort the Warwickshire man to know that Scoobs found form at the right time, finishing things in style with two fours in the 44th over in a match winning 53* from 64 balls, after Rocket (0), Paul Lay (1) and No.8 Dave Hiller (0*) left all the scoring to the other end.

Wedding Bells

Many congratulations to Chris and Vicky, the new Mr and Mrs Ladd, who got married in Wiltshire on Friday.

Also congratulations to Simon and Alex, the new Mr and Mrs Tuckwell who also tied the knot an Friday. Pictures to follow as your reporter forgot his camera!

Stiffs Wilt at Stapleford

A disappointing day for the Stiffs.

A combination of weddings and holidays meant the club squad was stretched further than one of Leggy's slim fit shirts. However, our investment in a Youth and OAP policy paid dividends: we called in Ben and Isaac from the Junior side for their full debuts, while Dimps, The Adonis, and Evergreen Ern used their free bus passes for the trip to Stapleford. The home side was equally tested with swine flu meaning they could only field eight players.

Cowlard won the toss and chose to bowl on a typical council pitch, green and under prepared. AC bowled well getting rid of one opener in a spell of 1-12 in 5 overs. Leggy was tight at the other end but went wicket-less in his 5 overs.

Stapleford's skipper and man-mountain was looking to cut loose again and Cowlard had fielders placed along the A52 and out towards Bramcote Baths. Kitch though was revelling in the conditions and we were relieved to see the back of Goliath for a quick fire 41. None of the remaining batters could get to grips with the conditions and Kitch had three more clean bowleds, finishing with 4-24 off 9 overs. JB nipped in with 2-11 off 4 overs with Liam taking a fine catch on the boundary, almost disclocating his shoulder with his pumped fist celebration!

The Stapleford Eight were all out for 92. Fielding was good all round, especially from young Ben and Isaac.

Tea was well above Division K standard. The tea ladies had catered for 22 players, so Dimp was able to help himself to thirds. Leggy claimed he had twisted his knee bowling, but it was more likely from a swift turn to poach the last slice of juicy malt loaf. The retro highlight though was midget gems.

We fancied our chances getting 93 with plenty of open spaces in the field, and there was the usual talk of playing straight and occupying the crease. All of which went out of the window in true carry-on Keyworth style. Ernie was untroubled until getting a leading edge. Leggy went soon after and then it was largely a procession. Kitch top scored with 14 in a disappointing display as we ended on 70 all out. But fair play to the home side, they made up for only having eight players by bowling super straight and fielding like demons.

The only bonus was to be home in time to see the Firsts notch another famous victory.

Stop The Press

We’ve done it! We’ve done it, We’ve done it!

The wedding speech can wait…

In a week where the first XI gained their opening victory of the season so did the mighty under 12’s, Joyous scenes at the field of dreams saw the first junior victory in 20 years and a thoroughly deserved victory for the boys after months of hard, hard work and tremendous progression. The perfect wedding present for Tuckers!

Ellerslie were the visitors for the pairs match who won the toss and inserted Keyworth. With 11 boys vying for 10 places, Shepherd showed remarkable maturity and team play to step aside, which was very much respected and continuing the terrific attitude that has been shown by all, all season. Cairns deputised behind the stumps for the second time in the week with Hennessy absent.

Leggy picked some nurdlers to open, with runs per ball the key. Tudor and Cairns giving a superb platform with 15 for the first pair. 215–0 off 4.

Newell and Mills put on an excellent 26 runs for the loss of a solitary wicket for the second pair, after Newell was trapped LBW. 241–1 off 8.

Stolworthy produced his highest score to date and tried to turn 2s into 1’s but Brown kept pushing, Brown was uncharacteristically out of sorts with the bat presenting a straight forward caught and bowled and a clean bowled but his time was to come later… 261-3 off 12

Normington and Steiner were in good touch, Normington in particular with some heavy hitting. Steiner was finally triggered by the boss after swishing across the line at a succession of straight ones. 271-4 off 16

It was left to the reliable duo of Healey and Neece to post a defendable total and 19 runs for the loss of just one wicket was an excellent conclusion to the innings with some hard running to finish. 298-5 off 20 – nett 68 with 69 required for victory.

A behind closed doors refocusing ensured that spirits were high with a taste of victory in the air, knowing that an abject bowling performance could easily see it become a distant dream.

The recent policy of an over each, and if it’s a good one then you’ll have another one was employed, with Captain Normington opening up steadily down the hill. Neece followed this up with 5 dots and Steiner wobbled it about. 3 runs an over was a steady start before Stolworthy spun the match on its head. First a beautiful flighted clean bowled followed by a rank wide full delivery that got a thick edge and picked out your dream fielder, buckets Newell, who pouched it with glee at mid-off. 212-2 off 4

Healey (twice), Brown and Newell were miserly with only 4 runs coming off the bat for the second pair and the screw tightening. 220-2 off 8.

Man of the match Mills, was then to produce his best spell to date and testament to his growing confidence and abilities, with only 1 run coming from the bat and a proud Grandpa Copson entering the fray. The big hitting 5 got hold of Tudor, Normington and Steiner to leave it delicately balanced at 239-2 off 12, with Tuckwell’s heart rate going up a notch.

Mills then reduced it back to simmer with Neece the grateful recipient of another top edge. The number 7 then set about elevating the blood pressure to code yellow with a series of lusty blows off Stolworthy, before Mills once again allowed the crowd to breath easily once again with perfect flight for a clean bowled and tremendous figures of 3-0-8-2. 264-4 off 16.

Such was the excellence of Mills that Legge tried to bowl him straight through forgetting that there was a 3 over maximum.

28 required for Ellerslie off the final 4 overs, wickets required for breathing space as Tuckwell was slumped in his scorers chair peering out between hat and scorebook. 5 dot balls was just the ticket from Healey, with Brown following suit with only 5 conceded.

21 off 2 required. Stolworthy kept it tight before a full bung no ball was dispatched to the boundary for a cumulative 6 runs and 12 needed off 8 delivers. Tuckwell was under close surveillance, but needn’t have worried as Stolworthy followed up with a majestic clean bowled leaving 18 off 6. Brown took all the pace off the ball for a splendid last over: 4 dots followed by a clean bowled and bar some ‘Carry on Keyworth’ could have finished with a double wicket maiden amid joyous, yet respectful, scenes leaving the field to a well deserved and rousing reception by all the parents and supporters.

A beaming Legge was embraced by Tuckwell as mission accomplished and the thoroughly well deserved first win under the belts.

Tuckwell was presented with some champagne but just resisted the Formula 1 celebration amid 3 cheers from the boys; very much appreciated and unexpected thank you very much. The victory was best wedding day present.

Still 4 games to go as we enter the tricky holiday period.

Thank you to every one involved and well done boys the first of many! Cheers!

Still to come an over view of June. Tuckwell dishing out a fiver to Healey, a shattered off stump, a couple of near hat tricks, bloodshed and a broken nose and some nearly but not quites and some fantastic displays in the Sunday side from Healey, Brown and Hennessy.

But unfortunately they might have to wait…

See you in August. Tuckers

News From The Cricketers Rest

Stuart and Mary would like to thank everyone who contributed to their wedding anniversary gift, and to all who came along to the celebration at the Crickets Rest on Sunday.

Legge's Eleven Update

A quick update on the progress of our Sunday XI.

A few Sunday's ago saw the trip south across the Leicestershire border to play at the beautiful Woodhouse Eaves ground.

Woodhouse scored 202 and we replied with 166 all out. The match was played in the usual great spirit, apart from the home side bowling bouncers at Leggy, one of which connected!!!

Highlights for us were a "career best, run a ball 44" from Leggy (his description) to follow bowling figures of 4-1-7-2, for a greedy man of the match award. Beaky scored 17, Liam 18, Billy 11 including two lovely cover drives, and Dimps 13 including 2 sixes.

The Youth Policy's Ben & Isaac took 2 wickets each from 8 overs apiece. Ben also took a lovely catch at extra cover off the Skipper's bowling. And both the lads had twenty-something partnerships with Leggy even though they only scored 5 and 0. Isaac's Dad took a lovely over the shoulder catch at mid-on, after stepping in at last minute when JB failed a vet's inspection.

Woodhouse Eaves 28/06/08
Back row LtoR: Chris See-Soar, Richard Brown, Dimps, Malcolm Healey, Billy Harrison, The Adonis
Front row: Duncan Disorderly, Ben Healey, The Boss, Isaac Brown, Beaky.

Yesterday's match against Basford Mills, away at the City Hospital was badly affected by rain. Still we did get in a 20/20 match in which Chris Soar scored his highest score of 40.

Forthcoming fixtures:

Sun Aug 2nd at Colston Bassett (Club BBQ Day)
Sun Aug 8th vs Ernhale at Platt Lane

Abbey Days Are Here Again

At long last The Millers lost that losing feeling and secured a deserved 20 point victory over a poor Newstead Abbey side. The firsts welcomed back Bomber Graham, Rob Baker and Dale Collison to the fold, with Kitch and Scooby demoted from the stiffs to bolster the bowling line up that was missing new dad Rocket Rendu and the loved up Andy Hiller.

The previous day's rain had managed to work its way under the covers and left the dodgy looking wicket as wet as an otter's pocket and certainly one to avoid batting first on. However, Tinno managed to call incorrectly and it was no surprise that the visitors were asked to have a go. Also of no surprise was that KCC only had 9 men at the ground at 1.30pm. To make matters worse, it was the opening pair of Marc (lives in a GMT+1hr time zone) Bailey and Adam (90 mins to get to Newstead from Wollaton... must invest in sat nav) Somekh.

So it left Ted and IG to open up, and soon IG (4) was kicking his kit all the way back to the pavilion, a la Liam Elliott, after being triggered LBW for not playing a shot. The fact that the ball wasn't going to hit the stumps and that IG was 6ft down the track padding up at full stretch obviously weren't part of the umpire's decision making process.

As expected, the track was playing tricks, virtually stopping on occasion when the seam dug in to the Plasticine surface, variable bounce and sharp seam movement. The uneven bounce was to do for Bails (4) as he was caught off a top edge trying to play around the corner. Similarly Adam went from hero to zero as he was caught at short cover to one that died after hitting the track, leaving Keyworth floundering at 30-3 off 15.

The batsmen's concentration wasn't helped by the noise pollution being emitted by the warm-up acts at the neighbouring Newstead Treefest that were murdering all of Drurs' dad-rock favourites.

Fortunately Ted ignored the early round exits from Britain's Got Talent and played an anchor role, and, even though he hated the turgid nature of his innings, it was pivotal to the Millers posting any sort of defendable total. He and Tinno (38 in 61 balls) put on a useful stand for the 4th wicket, but this was to be surpassed by a match winning innings from the stylish Ben Elliott, who made light of the conditions and smacked 35 in 39 balls to all corners of the ground. When Father Ted was finally out, he had survived until the 40th over making 29 from 104 balls faced, taking the score to 119-5. The last five batsmen found the going tougher than young Ben and Bobby nearly lost his front teeth with one that reared up off a length - only a Dilshan-esque uppercut saved his Hollywood smile. 154 in 47 ovs was the final score and set a decent target on a sticky wicket.

Tea was a decent effort with open egg, chicken and seafood stick cobs, mini cornish pasties and builders tea the highlights.

Keyworth knew than an early wicket was required and the home side duly obliged with a suicidal run being taken after the ball ricocheted off Ben's gloves. The non striker virtually touched gloves with his tardy partner before being sent back to see the bails being taken off by Kitch, after a sensible throw to the bowler's end by seasoned pro Graham. The seamers then found the breakthrough hard to come by as Scooby (6-1-23-0) and Dave "F&G" Hiller (5-1-25-0) saw a lot of playing and missing to their good balls, and the bad balls being dispatched. Bails dropped a difficult chance off Dave Hiller at cow corner with the sun coming out at the wrong time.

The bowling change to the spin of IG should have got a wicket first ball, but Ben couldn't take the edge behind the stumps. It wasn't until the 15th over (66-2) when the breakthrough came, and from then on Newstead really didn't look like scoring the remaining 90 runs required for victory. The spin of Baker (15-4-38-4) and Graham (14.1-4-37-5) unleashed the snakes in the pitch and wickets fell regularly with good catches being taken by Bailey, Baker, silly-mid-Elliott, and Dave Hiller who showed great composure when under a skier as Bailey shouted "mine!" running around from 30 yds away, and Dave responded with "no, it's mine!" as he stood still to take the catch. Fielding point went to Scooby, as he and the match ball 'came together like magnet and steel'.

Apart from the annoyance of the final pairing, who gave the excitable visitors a little scare, the win was never in doubt and the host's innings same to a close on 125 in the 41st over.

So, the first tunnel (Tom) has been dug on Keyworth's great escape, and two more (Dick & Harry) could be required to see them make it.

One final plea to Keyworth's first XI next week - can EVERYONE turn up no later than 12.45pm at the rec so we can all be ready and raring to go at 1.30pm (and not still putting up super scorer Shelley's gazebo).

At The Double

The Stiffs completed the double over old friends Caythorpe at a damp Field of Dreams.

The pre-match selection merry-go-round was revolving quicker than the Waltzer at the Keyworth Fair. Kitch and Scooby were dropped, as the Firsts needed a ten man bowling attack, Liam had toothache, and Duncan Disorderley was mountain climbing in Derbyshire. Dimps swapped his white coat for a white shirt and we welcomed back Mr Dearden.

Kingy won the toss and didn't fancy a bat himself, so we were put in on a typical July pitch, damp and slow.

Ernie set off like the innings was reduced to 40 balls rather than 40 overs, hitting three quick boundaries, while Drurs started like it was extended to 40 days. Ern was quickly caught and bowled for 12. Beakey started positively, but then had a Ricky Ponting moment, given out caught behind by Dimps, missing the ball by a good yard. Kingy sportingly called Butch back. Beakey couldn't take advantage of his 2nd innings and was soon caught for 13.

Kingy reckoned Drurs was "too good to hit the ball through mid wicket" and posted four extra covers. Drurs though had learnt a thing or two batting with Barney over the years, and slogged the next ball to cow corner leaving Kingy red-faced and his team mates chuckling.

Skipper Cowlard upped the rate with a quick 19, including the shot of the day, a beautiful clip off his legs down to the scout hut. The curse of the missed jug struck the team for the 4th time this season when Drurs played on, one short of his 50.

Phil D had been knocking in his new Dilshan bat for the last month, and was determined to get value for money, putting together a valuable 29. One Brings Two smashed a quick 17 through the covers, and Greeny and Leggy hit a boundary each as we reached 168-6 off our 40 overs, a decent effort.

Vice President Simon Harris was on tea duty and had produced the usual gourmet feast, chocolate brownies the undoubted highlight. Simon does two free teas for the club each year as his VP's donation - a fantastic gesture.

In reply we had the best start possible. Kingy had munched three slices of brownie, more potent than two cans of Red Bull, and was intent on being in the Sal within the hour. But, he could only top edge Cowlard to Greeny at cover for a 4th ball duck. It was the 5th over before the 1st run was scored and Leggy began with three straight maidens.

We didn't see another wicket until the 20th over as Caythorpe painstakingly ground out 70 runs. We should have made a breakthrough but Boss Hogg dropped an absolute sitter off Greeny. Needing to move about an inch to get into place, Leggy circled the ball in flight like Todd Carty on Dancing on Ice, finally groping at the ball as if wearing a pair of cymbals. JB took the more direct route, bowling Rich Manning with his doosra.

Leggy returned after the drinks break to turn the match fully in our favour with three wickets in eight balls. First Drurs was safe hands at mid off to catch the opener for a fine 50. Then a plum LBW. And, finally Freddie Truman couldn't believe his luck, smashing a full toss to deep mid wicket, where Chris See-Soar didn't have to move an inch to take his first ever catch, and was mobbed by his jubilant team mates. 70-1 had turned to 80-5.

The 6th wicket put on 54 with a mixture of good shots and wayward bowling. Mr Dearden had started his spell tightly, then bowled two overs of shin music, with a knee high full toss disappearing over cow corner for six.

Cowlard still had four of the last five overs to bowl down the hill and pushed the required runs up to 43 off 30 balls. Greeny came back to bowl the odd over and took two well deserved wickets, Paul Lay taking a fine catch to bag the day's fielding point.

Phil calmly held his nerve in the last over, with every man on the boundary, to see us home by 7 runs. Tuckers was relieved to see us win, having risked a last minute cancellation to his wedding plans by staying to the bitter end!!

Bowling figures were excellent, AC 1-19and Leggy 3-25 off their 10 overs, Greeny 2-31 off 6.

A fine all round team effort, with everyone contributing with the bat, ball or in the field. 19 points pushes us back up to 2nd place.

After the match Cowlard found the results sheet more testing than his tax return. But we were cheered with news of the First Team winning and Leggy celebrated with a chip cob.

Only in England do you celebrate a draw!

Report this week is from our Perth, WA, office...

This week saw the 1st team travel up to Super Scorer Shelley’s neighbourhood for a critical game against relegation contenders Hucknall.

Unsurprisingly, player availability caused headaches for Ted throughout the week with key members on family duty and nursing injuries. However, this gave Chris Soar, Kitch, and Greeny an opportunity in the firsts.

Keyworth’s poor record winning the toss continued, and with the game shortened to 42 overs due to a predicted spot of rain, Hucknall decided to bat on what looked, and proved to be, a featherbed. Fortunately, the rain that was preventing the Aussies ripping into the English tail at Cardiff, did not arrive until after the match finished.

Andy Hiller and Kitch opened up the attack, and got a useful amount of swing and movement off the track. However it was terrible piece of running, reminiscent of Alan Donald’s “brain melt down” moment in the 1999 World Cup, that resulted in a run out being the first wicket. The “brain meltdown” continued when the other opener was caught behind two balls later.

Both Dave Hiller and Marc Bailey bowled lucklessly at the first change. The highlight of the spell being a half-tracker by Marc that to everyone’s surprise only bounced once! It was a 92 run partnership before the next breakthrough was made. Tinno caught the batsman plum LBW on the crease, which we would find out later in the day was the umpires only positive response to a KCC LBW appeal...

There was another big partnership (117 runs), before centurion Robin Maxwell (122) was dismissed. Housewives and Scorers favourite Dougie was brought into the attack to bowl some wicket taking pies, and bowled in some good (and not so good) areas before getting the inevitable catch on the boundary, this time by Adam Somekh.

There were further wickets for Tinno and Andy before the declaration by Huknall (6 for 259) in the 39th over.

Tea was the usual spread, and it was obvious the tea ladies were expecting our missing heavyweights Bobby and Meeky, as there seemed enough food to feed a small African country.

With a sizeable total to chase the initial plans were to see off the new ball, and with that Bailey and Somekh were sent in to open. It was not long before Bailey (1) was the first of five LBW decisions given against Keyworth. Ted came in at number three, and played a long and useful knock, that would not have done any favours for his career strike-rate. Yet, he did the job of supporting Somekh, whose innings was later described by the umpire as “the best knock I’d seen all season”. Adam (70) was finally triggered after one that looked to be going down leg hit him on the pads. In the spirit of the game, and the spirit of KCC (with the exception of Grant Parker), no questions were asked of the umpire. However Adam was the only player in the team who didn’t find it amusing when the umpire apologised to him after the game, stating that “he too thought it was going down leg, and if he had taken more time to make the decision, he would have not given him out”!

Tinno came to the crease needing to have a real captains knock to keep Keyworth in the game. Fortunately Tinno did not disappoint. He played a Collingwood-like innings to hold up one end for the afternoon. Although at the other end batters came and went: Doug (Bopara) Bayford was given out on a dodgy LBW decision, Ian (KP) Kitchenson was bowled after missing a straight one, and Dave (Prior) Hiller also unable to see out the overs being caught trying to play one down to third man. Due to the declaration, the game set to finish after 45 overs, as apposed to a certain hour on the clock. For this reason, no amount of cheating time wasting (such as sending out new gloves, or the overweight physio, etc.) was going to help the Millers. The game had to be saved the hard way. Fortunately Andy (Monty Panesar) Hiller came to the middle played some classic tail-end defensive shots, to see out the overs with his captain, giving Keyworth its first draw of the season to celebrate!

Keyworth finished on 7 for 187, and with Tinno having the presence of mind to chase down the extra batting point, the Millers took as much as they could out of the draw. The Great Escape starts here!

Tasty Bayford picks up first MOM...

It was a sun baked Field of Dreams as the winless firsts played host to unbeaten league leaders, the Hyson Green Caribs.

Just Strong, Graham, Rendu and Collison missing this week but KCC still managed to put out a pretty decent team. Tinno made it 2 from 2 for the toss this season and he elected to bat on a decent track, although the rain on Friday meant it did have a green tinge in it to encourage the seamers.

Bailey turned up at 1.29pm moaning about losing his contact lenses, however, the evidence that was apparent on his right shoulder told another story as he was sporting another ridiculous piece of body art added on the morning of the match! Ted stepped up from 3 to open with new signing Somekhe.

It was a steady start by both against a useful opening attack, but as was typical of the days proceedings, both got into double figures (15 each) but couldn't go on. Bails played fluently at no 3 and he put on 38 with Tinno (11) for the 3rd wicket but as the scoreboard was ticking over at less than 3 an over, both went as they tried to up the pace a little. Bailey eventually went for 35 including 3 sixes before he was bowled giving the spinner the charge.

Meeky and Potty then came together for a similar stand, Meeky first impact was to pull his hamstring (tart), Skipper Tinno went out to be his runner which meant two's were once again possible. Meeky hit 3 fours and 2 sixes in the top score of 37 and Potty added 9 in a useful partnership of 48 in 10 overs.

With the score at 130 with 7 overs to go, we looked a little light (well Ted, Meeky and Bobby did!?!?!?) but Benji Gilchrist came in and teed off. Dancing down the track to the seamers our confident stumper hit 33 from 21 balls, his knock also included 3 x 4's and 2 x 6's. Bayford and Baker tried to offer support, with the latter and Benji adding 27 in just 6 minutes, surprisingly with the Big Fella only getting 2 of them!

Ben was eventually bowled and another plum LBW for Dave Hiller meant the innings closed on 172ao; probably 30 runs shy on a decent deck, but the best structured and disciplined batting display of the season against the leagues best attack left room for optimism.

Next was the highlight of the afternoon, a banquet by Bayford - cheddar and red onion with mayo sarnies were great, but the "best sausage rolls I've ever tasted" quote from the pastry expert Baker ensured that this was the supreme highlight of the tea. Apparently 40 years of family tradition was shared when Grandma Allard broke her silence to the "housewives favourite" and gave him the delicious recipe!

Andy Hiller once again decided to leave tea early in a huff, but the jibes from the Senior Pro about his soon-to-visit girlfriend, weren't the reason - it was the surprise on Bobby's face to hearing that Andy was 26 years old. A response of, "26 and you've still never had a 5 for?!" went down like the proverbial with the fiery opener.

The Millers needed to get off to a good start in the field and did just that. In just the second over the housewives champ riffled in from the deep for Benji to whip of the bails and the opener was a foot short of his ground - 1 for 1.
Then Bill (2 for 43) and Ben took a wicket each as the visitors were 10 for 3, thanks largely to a great catch from Ben, diving forward to slide his Kenny Everett's under the ball.

KCC knew this was then a vital part of the game as ex-Plum Mahmood and semi-pro Douglas were at the crease. They played positively to put 40 on in 10 overs before Andy Hiller then got Douglas out. Keyworth felt they were in with a shout with one end to attack so the Skipper introduced spin into the attack - no, not with Bobby, but with his own off breaks (well somebody had to bowl up the hill as half of the bowling attack was missing and Meeky was limping around at slip).

Tinno bowled 10 steady overs for 46 runs but without a wicket, Bobby did join him at the other end to bowl another tight spell. He removed the number 6 for a duck and number 8 caught at long on by Boom Boom Elliott.

Sandwiched in between these though was the key moment on 100 for 5, when Benji snatched at an edge from Mahmood off Baker and crucially spilt it. Inzi was on 40 odd at the time and the Caribs had little to come from the hutch. Another run out did occur thanks to Andy Hiller but after years of playing against each other, Mahmood wasn't going to gift his wicket by trying to attack Baker, so his 2 for 28 off 14 were effective but not match winning!

At the other end Moody went on to hit 92no as the visitors achieved their target with 4 overs to go and 3 wickets in hand.

It turned out to be a great game between two sides who were well matched on the day, but unfortunately the league table doesn't lie, and next week sees a must win game at fellow strugglers Hucknall.

Man of the match should have been a first for Ben but it goes to Dougie (well, Grandma Allard) for that sausage roll recipe!

Steve Douglas

Sad to report the untimely passing away of Steve Douglas.

Steve was a right arm spin bowler who graduated through our Youth teams and played for us from 1979 to 1989. He left the area to go to University and later moved to live and work in the USA.

He took 90 wkts for the club at an average of 17.28 and scored 305 runs at an average of 7.63.

We pass on our thoughts to family and friends.

Game Of Two Halves

The Stiffs were on the wrong end of conditions losing by three wickets away to bogey side Wilsons.

Plenty of team changes as Ted was dropped to the Firsts, Dale was away, and The Adonis had fallen off a ladder. Duncan Disorderly returned, along with Drurs who was back from a week on the East coast checking up on Leggy's new business empire. Clearly all the years Boss Hogg had spent modelling Tweedies' shirts and giving dietary tips to Samit Patel were being put to good use.

There was much concern at the pre-match pitch inspection. After heavy rain on Friday, the designated track had more furrows than the brows of batsman on both sides. We swapped to an adjoining pitch, marginally better, but still literally taking a stud judging by the imprints made from football boots all the way down a line on off stump.

Cowlard lost the toss and it was no surprise to see us batting. Scooby and Drurs scratched around against the trampoline bounce, but it was about as much fun as trying to return an Andy Roddick serve. Scoobs tried to cut loose but a lofted drive got held up in the wind and he was caught for 6. Beakey got the ball of the day to be bowled for 1 and Leggy was caught soon after for 3; we were in a spot of bother at 40-3 after 20 overs.

Cowlard joined Drurs for a partnership of 53 with the pitch starting to dry out and the ball getting softer. Drurs vigil was finally ended on 31, but AC was much more fluent with some lovely clips off his legs. However, with a week's holiday to pay for, Cowlard did the sensible thing and holed out on 49 to save further expense.

One Brings Two added 9, then Kitch lofted a couple of mighty sixes in a quickfire 15. Duncan Disorderly, Greeny, Nugget and Chris See-Soar added 5 betwwen them as we limped over the line for 141.

Tea was a reasonable effort, samosas the spicy highlight.

In reply the Wilsons openers found it equally heavy going. Scooby bowled tightly and Kitch picked up a couple of early wickets, one a fantastic diving catch from Butch behind the stumps.

Wilsons young no.3 and Mark Owen look-a-like, had plenty of shots and the chat to match. We hoped it would only take a minute to get him out, but everything changed when Cowlard came on, relighting his fire, as his opening over went for 14. Scooby returned to send him back for good on 36, on the way to miserly figures of 1-10 off his 12 overs.

Kitch nipped in with another couple to end on 4-22 off his allotment. Both Liam and Boss Hogg bowled well picking up a wicket each, and at 100-7 we were very much in the hunt.

The trouble was the pitch had now dried out completely and Wilsons 8 and 9 batted very well making 20 each as we struggled to make another breakthrough, and the winning runs came in the 41st over.

Electric Finish to 20/20

Congratulations to Steve Phillips, KCC's official sparky, for scooping the pot from our World 20/20 Competition.

No one got the correct Pakistan / Sri Lanka combination, and just four people had selected Pakistan as winners. Steve won on count back predicting 275 total runs in the final, just outside the 277 actually scored.

Many thanks to everyone who entered, and to Dougie Bayford for organising the competition, which has raised £176 to further develop our Youth Policy.