Fabulous Finale for the U12's

Simon ‘Smudger’ Smith’s Gedling and Sherwood side were the opposition for the Under 12’s 20/20 match to kick start the Bank Holiday proceedings. As documented a sterling effort from the Sunday morning working party ensured the mindless vandalism would not prevent the most popular club event from occurring.

Both teams set about a warm up - the Keyworth boys shocked with it not be a regular match day procedure. Shepherd was soon sent by Legge on a lap of the boundary for excessive tomfoolery. Adult wicket, boundary and ball were testament to how far both sets of players had come. Hennessy, Normington and Steiner were absent in an otherwise strong looking side.

Back (L-R) Tuckers, Jack Cairns, Harry Stolworthy, Greg Mills, Isaac Brown, Leggy

Front (L-R) Josh Coulthard, Mackenzie Shepherd, Tom Newell, BenHealey, Joe Neece, Zachary Tudor

Healey won the toss and wisely elected to bat with wicketkeeper Cairns absent, having not got in until 4am – this time holidays - maybe different reasons in the future! Cairns arrived looking surprisingly fresh but forgoing the soldiers for his eggs and opened up with Tudor – across the wicket a new experience.

The second over proved sticky with Tudor pushing for a tight return run but ending up short while Neece came and went clipping to square leg with Tuckwell worrying if it would go the distance. 6-2 off 2.

Leading run scorer Healey came in at 4 needing 19 runs for 250 for the season and played sensibly providing an able foil for Cairns, who was showing no sign of weariness pushing hard to advance the score. 38 for 2 at the halfway stage as Legge signaled to accelerate.

Some deft flicks and good running saw Cairns reach 26* before retiring with the 50 partnership surpassed (52) and a new record for the 3rd wicket. Healey (25*) followed in the next over to a similar rapturous applause from the ever increasing crowd.

Coulthard and Newell found themselves entrusted with maintaining the momentum, a cracking offside hit from the former raced to the boundary before a top edge was gleefully pouched by the keeper. 77-3 off 17.

With 80 the pre innings target, Shepherd was given licence to push towards the 3 figure mark with 18 balls remaining, and Stolworthy and Mills padded up and prowling. 2 quick singles saw Shepherd reach his personal milestone of 100 runs for the season before some good hitting and a lofted straight drive to the boundary concluded the KCC innings, on a very pleasing 94-3 off 20. 72 runs off the bat and Tuckwell and Legge both proud, but job half done.

A demand for sharp fielding and accurate bowling was the message with Mills, Stolworthy and Brown entrusted to open up having not batted and Cairns being pushed to his limits behind the stumps.

Leading marksman, Stolworthy, was denied his 21st wicket off his opening over but he didn’t have long to wait, squaring the burly right handed opener up - Legge raising the finger for LBW and Dimp shaking his head in despair… not since 2001…

Mills bowled tightly in tandem a solitary boundary from the robust number 3 the only score. 15-1 off 3. Brown was keen to go out with a bang and produced a fine delivery which reared up presenting a straight forward chance to Tudor which was gladly taken. Shepherd was clearly fired up as two became 3 with the middle stump of number 4 being removed.

The Dangerman Dismissed - cue the customary celebrations

Some strong batting amid some good line and length from Tudor and Neece was finally disrupted as Tudor struck in the 8th over – Stolworthy taking the chance having spilled one off the same bowler in his previous over.

Give us a hug - Macca wheels away to celebrate with Hazza

27-4 off 8 compared to 27 for 2 at the same stage. All to play for

The innings was halted midway for the Evening Post photographer to get some action shots, (see Page 13 of Tuesday's Post). The boys proved the adage of you should never work with children or animals with concentration waining as the camera kept clicking for the money shot. It's professional boys you’ll have to get used to it!

Some excellent fielding and great pressure bowling from Coulthard and Neece prevented the necessary acceleration to keep in touch with the run rate. Newell turned the screw further with a clean bowled in his first over with Mills grateful to Healey’s positioning with a tidy take. 39-6 off 13. 56 needed off 42.

Tom gets his man

Healey (2-1-1-1) swung the match firmly in Keyworth’s favour with excellent line and a neat caught and bowled. 43-7 off 15 - 95 looking a tall order. The Gedling 8 and 9 batted sensibly and showed good understanding running some sharp singles and valuing their wicket to finish undefeated, as Shepherd finished off.

57-7 off the 20 overs and only 18 extras was an excellent effort for the Keyworth boys who have progressed beyond measure and perhaps finished with their most complete performance of the season.

Tremendous support once again and a fantastic conclusion to the season. Thank you to all involved.