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.