Leggy Sees Sex In The City

The great British Summer put paid to any play for the second time this season.

The Firsts were due to entertain Kimberley. Sadly, the only action was at the tea table, as the squad tucked into Paula's pre-prepared tea, strawberries and cream the highlight.

Meanwhile the Stiffs drove through the puddles to Hucknall. Plenty still had mental scars from last week's encounter with the Afghan Express, but JB also had the physical scars, having chipped a bone even though wearing pads!

Skipper Cowlard had decided the only plan would be to fight fire with fire. He called up our own tearway quickie, Vinny 'The Tollerton Express' Tuckwell, and both limbered up with a gentle loosener at the bar.

Sadly there was no prospect of play, and no sign of an early tea, much to Leggy's disappointment. The Boss shot off in search of a doughnut back at the Field of Dreams to go with his popcorn ready for a trip to the Showcase to watch Sex And The City 2, once again writing his own headline.

I'll Raise You 3 Chewits...

The Boss hosts an 'Audience With' during the Willow Brook Residential, near Ross-on-Wye, at the early part of this week - featuring the finer points of Texas Hold 'em.


One can only imagine future Gambling Anonymous Sessions.
Q: When did your addiction start?
Q: Well I was 10 years old, in the Welsh Valleys and I had my first Full House. I won a bag of Jelly Babies, a pack of Refreshers and a Wham Bar. I was hooked!


The lesson in 'Poker face' applied by one uncontained by the other. I think I'll fold!

New Signing

The KCC press corp can announce the signature of another literary wit, to help guide you through those monotonous Monday mornings. A very warm welcome to the head honcho of the Under 12s, Mr Paul Newell.

A tough week for the Under 12s at the Field of Dreams

A Pairs match against the formidable Radcliffe was immediately followed by an 11-a-side game versus last years Under 11 Champions - Caythorpe. The boys performed admirably in weather conditions ranging from sunshine to downpours, and most stages in between.

The pairs game on Monday saw two debutants for Keyworth in an inexperienced but enthusiastic line up. Parker and Messham joined the ranks and swelled the "players used" to 17 before the end of May. With County players in the Radcliffe team it was going to be a tough task, but Captain Cairns led by example and an unbroken first pair partnership with Ackroyd saw the score race to 226-0 after four overs. Cairns exploited the gaps superbly and the running was terrific. Radcliffe were rattled.

The in-form Newell (fresh from his adult debut at Woodhouse Eaves on Sunday) continued the flurry of boundaries with excellent support from Messham. Sadly Messham went walkabouts and got stumped when he wasn't watching and Newell tickled one to the keeper, and tried to look innocent. 245-2. Burns and Malik took the careful approach with Burns later breaking free with a mighty blow through midwicket. 258-3. Regular opener Neece played the two shots of the day with a cover drive and a straight drive to drool over. Understandably carried away and with the adrenaline flowing.....two rash shots later, we were 12 runs worse off. These things happen. Parkers debut was very solid with an admirable "thou shalt not pass" approach. 278-6. Phoenix and Brown finished the innings with lots of common sense and some excellent running - a feature of the whole innings. 288-7.

Radcliffe opened up with a County player who timed the ball exceptionally well. Newell had his fingers stung twice at mid off and the whole team had to get their kit dirty to keep the runs from flowing. An excellent pitch with a new ball made for some good strokeplay, despite the clouds gathering. The bowling was a fraction wayward but the energy in the field, and the backing up by four players at a time, was a joy to behold. Wickets were tough to come by - Messham, Brown and Parker showed bravery in getting behind some meaty drives, and Burns covered more ground than Boss's Y-fronts. The weather conditions deteriorated badly and the ball turned into a bar of soap for the last 10 overs. Parents ran for cover, and Neecy Senior had his engine running and the heater on. No complaints from the fielders - full marks for sticking with it boys. A run out in the last over gave us our first wicket - to scenes of wild jubilation. Two balls later Newell produced a jaffa to hit middle and off - the fightback had started. And then the game ended. Radcliffe finished on a very impressive 330-2. It is no disgrace losing to a good team, and the players performed admirably. Thank you to Ted for standing in as scorer in the absence of Tuckwell and Legge, still huddled together for warmth in a tent in Wales on a school camping trips. Well done to Barry for getting the gazebo over the scorers too, to keep then dry.


Champions Caythorpe in Town

The following night, the sun was shining - was it to be a new dawn for the Under 12's..? Well, no it wasn't actually, but we weren't to know that at 6pm. The return of Shepherd, Kitching, Rock, Cox, and Blacklock boded well adding experience, and hunger after being rested the previous day. Caythorpe won the Under 11 competition in 2009 so they were always going to be difficult opponents. This proved true as the ball flew crisply from the openers bats, but all that changed with a terrific catch at third man by Kitching from a steepler off the bowling of Shepherd. Blacklock took a sharp chance behind the stumps off Rock, and two run outs from Neece and Cairns (with good work by Blacklock) kept Keyworth in contention. 36-4.

A loss of concentration in the middle of the innings was to prove costly as the momentum shifted back to Caythorpe - a fine unbroken stand of 50 for the fifth wicket saw one batsman retire and the run rate creep up to post a total of 102. We conceded around 15 runs more than we should have done. I saw lots of good examples of the long barrier before and after the game but during the game itself it seemed to drift away....... Brown brought a whole new meaning to 'getting everything behind it' by stopping one for the team in the ultimate manner - he will be fielding wearing a box next week.

It was felt to be a reachable target if top order got away to a good start. As it happened, Cairns was unlucky to play a ball on to his stumps, Newell chipped one to mid-wicket and Neece was bowled by a good delivery. The bowling was very accurate, at a decent pace and with a bit of swing too - we may not play a better bowling side all season. Shepherd showed some counter-attacking strokeplay but the middle order struggled against the continued excellence of the bowling, and a near hat-trick at the end finished us off with three balls to spare. Cox and Brown had done some noble crease-occupation, and Phoenix took his first-baller like a man - a mad man - running from the pitch with his arms aloft celebrating like a World Cup winner. Jack, I salute you. I wish I could have accepted my many golden ducks in quite such a manner.

Seven batsmen were clean bowled as we were 52 all out - a testament to the quality of the bowling but also a lesson for us to learn. We have to select our shots more carefully and pick which balls to attack and which to defend - I am sure it will come. It's been a fantastic journey so far and there is a very long way to go. (I pinched that bit from 'Britain's Got Talent')

World Cup Fun

KEYWORTH CRICKET CLUB
2010 WORLD CUP PREDICTION COMPETITION

Can you predict the successful teams in South Africa?

Have some World Cup fun and an interest in every match as you attempt to win the £100 (cash) 1st prize.

Keyworth Cricket Club will also benefit as any profit will help fund ground improvements and our flourishing Youth section.

It’s £5 a go so why not have a couple of attempts to improve your chances of winning. Please extend the competition to work colleagues, friends & family.

The format is easy, simply enter the scores into the fixture boxes on the attached file, and it will calculate the remainder for you (we will accept hand written entries but remember to print yourself a duplicate copy!)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PREDICTOR

Scoring is simple:
Correct score = 3pts
Correct result = 1 pt
Wrong result = 0 pts

When we reach the knockout stages your predicted scores will remain (even if you have calculated the wrong team for that fixture); but you will also get bonus points for predicting the right team to be playing in the right fixtures as follows:

2nd round & Quarter final = 2 point bonus per team
Semi Final = 3 point
Final = 5 points
Winner = 10 points

(Please note the 3/4th place play-off match does not count in the predictions but it is included in the tie breaker!)

The person who gains the most points from the most accurate set of predictions WINS...

Note: in the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the tie-break question - How many goals do you think will be scored in all the World Cup matches?” (64 games in total & penalty shoot-out goals DON’T COUNT).

Entry forms and regular score updates/leader boards are and will be available at www.keyworthcc.co.uk.

Remember to include your NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS, MOBILE NUMBER and TIE BREAKER GUESS...

Entries should be submitted to event organiser Rob Baker – rbaker@proludic.co.uk – closing date is 1 hour before the 1st match on 11 June

You can submit postal entries and cash (including for previously submitted email entries) to Rob Baker, Barry Baker, Geoff Tindsley, Ted Elliott, Cliff Anderson, Rich Drury, Simon Tuckwell, Chris Legge or Paul Newell.

Any postal submissions to: Rob Baker, 166 Main Street, Willoughby on the Wolds LE12 6SZ (cheques - made payable to ‘Keyworth Cricket Club’).

Afghan Express

The Stiffs were blown away in under three hours by an Afghan storm away to old friends Lambley.

Cowlard was looking for any excuse to avoid playing at his least favourite away ground, and settled for a game with the Firsts. So it was left to Leggy to lead a mixture of old pros and under 13’s to the quirky postage-stamp sized ground. We only had 10 men but were inspired by the memory of beating the home side with 9 men back in time.

With temperatures soaring into the 80’s, Leggy had no hesitation in batting first; less that we had a strong batting line up, and more that he didn’t want to stand in the sun for three hours.

Drurs and Evergreen Ern set off like a train racing to 40 off the first 8 overs. Ernie was apparently trying a new tactic of batting two yards out of his crease to counter the threat of both LBW and swing, but hadn’t factored in top-edging a full toss behind, out for 15.

With the opening bowlers hot under the collar we looked set for a big score. The first change bowler was still in bed half an hour before the game and strolled across the outfield with his kit as Lambley took the field. This was clearly a ploy to retain his energy as he paced his run up out almost to the boundary’s edge. Drurs had an inkling that something unusual was on the cards with the ‘keeper standing more than the length of a pitch behind the stumps, and this became a reality as a third ball bouncer sailed over his helmet for a wide, with the speed gun confirming pace was on the lightning side of rapid.

This was just a sighter as the 17 year old from Afghanistan moved through the gears next over. Billy was bowled still taking his back-lift. Two balls later one became two as Paul Lay had his off stump flattened. Leggy somehow got a bat on the fifth ball for a single. The last ball saw Drurs’ off stump cart-wheeling, the Chairman happy to have made 24 before the carnage began.

Not content with losing his off stump, Billy then lost the leg off his chair, toppling half way down the railway embankment.

Leggy’s off stump was the next to take off, and the skipper took drastic action on his way back to the hutch promoting JB up the order to allow the club’s Child Protection Officer time to assess the whether it was safe for the under 13’s to have a bat. JB was questioning if it was also safe for the over 65’s as well as his first ball crashed into his inner thigh. His off stump soon went the same way and the Afghan Express had amazing figures of 5 for 8 off 4 overs, 6 of the runs being wides. Quite the most accurate spell of rapid bowling most of us had ever seen.

With the middle order looking like morse code in the score book, the Lambley skipper saw sense and brought spin on at both ends. Sam Nice played across a straight one for 2, and Ben Healey played a great shot only to be caught by a full length dive at square leg. The 17 year old speedster was still keeping loose on the boundary and Dimps didn’t fancy the prospect and walked claiming he’d edged a catch behind when neither the bowler or ‘keeper appealed! 42-0 to 70 all out just 10 overs later.

We turned straight around and the total was soon looking about 300 short as the Lambley openers raced to the target in just 11 overs.

A proper stuffing, but a rare one, only the 10th time any Keyworth side has lost by 10 wickets, and thankfully the first time since 2001.

Tea was the best part of the day and a splendid spread, pork pie the retro highlight.

Rusty but Not Out - yet

A return to action after what seemed like an eternity, for the 13s. 2 wins in 4 days, followed by 3 postponed matches.

Radcliffe were the opponents, at the Field of Dreams, for the first time this year. It was Newark Cup action with the winning team guaranteed to progress into the Quarters, but 4 bonus points enough to see the losing team also through.

Normington won the toss and took the new ball as Playle and Sidebottom opened. 2 off the first 2 represented a good start with Steiner a maiden up the hill. The Radcliffe openers then signalled their intent, and dispatched the ball to all corners before Coulthard stemmed the flow taking an excellent catch at deep mid on, off Brown. 25-1 off 5.

Steiner finished creditably, 3-1-9-0, as Playle kept on the acclerator. With 53 on the board at the half way stage and only 1 wicket down, it was looking like a long evening ahead. Then two high points: an excellent run out by Steiner and perhaps more importantly the arrival of Mrs Cairns, which could only mean one thing - Tuck shop open for business!

Boys. What motivates you?

Either of the two (I'm favouring the latter!) seemed to lift the spirits, as Mills and Healey began to exert some pressure. A final boundary saw Playle, 37*, retire after an excellent knock, before Healey removed the off stump off the number 4. Vice Captain Mills was the pick of the bowling (3-0-12-1) his wicket providing KCC with the first bonus point, for 4 wickets down.

Tudor was then entrusted with the last over, an excellent clean bowled, meant one more wicket for an extra bonus point,with two balls to go, but it was not to be. 92-5 off 18 - A good comeback with only 14 conceded off the last 4 overs.

An achievable target, but bonus points at stake for 25, 50, 75 runs. Radcliffe immediately stamped their authority, the second over accounting for Healey, caught at square leg. Normington followed 2 balls later, missing a straight one. 3-2 off 2. Neece and Tudor slowly rebuilt the innings, reaching 24 before Neece was bowled. Tudor followed the next over, for 10, and was followed back to the hutch by new man Coulthard. 30-5 off 10.

The whippet, Hennessy, was at his scampering best, as he was ably partnered by first Shepherd then Steiner - as 50 was amassed - with superb running between the wickets, to the enjoyment of the crowd. Hennessy finally departed for an excellent 14, as Stolworthy took up the mantle, crashing the ball about the square for his best innings to date.

With the winning post out of reach, attention turned to 75 runs which would definitely secure passage into the quarters. 18 off 18, became 12 off 12, but a double wicket penultimate over put an end to the run chase. 66 all out.

A rusty performance unhelped by the fixture computer, but huge improvement on last year - with half as many runs scored and excellent rear guard action.

With 3 teams, including Keyworth, on 19 points - and only one to progress - it is up to the powers that be to decide the fate. Watch this space!

A Plums Win but Plenty of Positives

A stellar cast down at Plumtree, 3 generations of Drings, 2 Palmer's and president Baker on scoring duties, as the 12s continued their first steps into competitive cricket.

Plumtree were inserted, with Shepherd given the new ball, and joined all the dots. For the third successive match Rock took a wicket in his first over, clean bowling the number 2. Not to be outdone Shepherd removed the other opener, this time with a plum LBW decision. 10-2.

The free flowing Kingsley strode to the crease, the KCC boys knowing fully of the skills after a couple of graceful knocks in Keyworth colours last year. Neece pouched another in the covers off Kitching, and at 22-3, it could be considered a great start.

Kingsley stepped on the gas with a swashbuckling array of shots, ably supported by Lund, as a silence fell over the field. The pair put on an excellent 42, before Cairns bowled Lund for 21.

Palmer graced the turf, with Shepherd, Newell, Neece and Cairns all eyeing up the prized wicket and some one-up-manship in the playground tomorrow. After a couple of crashing boundaries it was Shepherd who delivered a 'riser' that flicked the gloves and was excellently taken by Blacklock behind the stumps.

Kingsley departed 36* to a warm round of applause with the score 0n 90 -5 off 16. The Keyworth unit regrouped and rippped through the tail. A second clean bowled from Rock, Neece snaffling another off Cox and Kitching getting the number 9 to dance down the track, only for Blackstock to whip off the bails.

The number 10, Dring, was then run out, the celebrations were short lived as it meant a return to the crease for Kingsley! 13 runs were crafted off the last over, with Kingsley 41* and Plumtree closing on 110-9.


Neece and Cairns opened up, just! having threatened to be put 10 and 11 with both displaying some handbags, as to who would face the first delivery! The opening 2 overs were safely negotiated with Neece applying the hard work he had put in to practice, keeping everything on the deck. Cairns played around a straight one which brought last weeks hero, Newell, to the crease.


A superb 50 partnership was amassed, with a 'hats off' array of chanceless shots. Strong on the offside, punishing off the legs. Although the pair did demonstrate Drury like tendencies of hitting quality shots straight at fielders. Neece (15) was finally bowled, although dimunitve, there was a feeling of a little hard done by, as it whislted past his tabs before removing the bails. An excellent knock nonetheless.

Palmer was then in the action with the ball, clean bowling Blacklock with the score on 60. With the run rate esculating, thanks to some amazing fielding Marks, it was a chance for Shepherd and Newell to get some time in the middle and impress with their stroke play.

The shot of the night was a booming cover drive by Shepherd that flew off sweet spot and was flying like an express train to the boundary, only for Marks to dive and gather spectacularly in one hand. Shot for 1! Shepherd changed tack and went aerial, launching one back over the bowlers head and one bounce to the boundary as Newell kept his fine choice of cuts going.

20 overs were reached with Keyworth 27 runs adrift. Newell 31* and Shepherd 13*. A superb performance with the bat. Not many teams will play the Plums and take 9 wickets while only losing 3. Plenty of positives in a great setting.

Shelley gets ahead

Super Scorer Shelley's fashion faux pas was quickly rectified by the Skipper on Saturday...

Not Bad For Openers

The only black cloud on a lovely day at the Field of Dreams for the visit of Caunton was above Cowlard’s head. The Skipper was his usual pre-match grumpy self with the side shorn of many regulars. For Paul Lay it was less one-brings-two and more a case of one-takes-two as his stag do accounted for Ernie and Kitch. However we were boosted by another father and son combo as Malcolm Healy made his debut alongside son Ben. The smile finally returned to AC’s face with news that star all-rounder Ball had provisionally agreed a new three year contract that only needed rubber-stamping by Donna..........

AC lost the toss and we were stuck in. With an inexperienced batting line-up it was important for Malc and Drurs to put together a strong and stable partnership, and they formed a strong coalition right from the off. The Caunton bowlers weren’t sure quite where to bowl as Drurs had his cover drive in full flow while Malc was punishing through the leg side, the pair proving harder to dislodge than Gordon Brown from no.10. The pair made an entry in Barry’s archives as the century partnership came up in the 25th over, Malc passing 50. Drurs was then felled by a straight full toss that caught him flush on the thigh. Still seeing stars the Chairman was predictably bowled next ball and limped off to the back benches with a new injury for 42.

Leggy was given his once a season outing at no.3 and exceeded expectations by making 2 before being caught.

Mr Tuckwell showed some nifty footwork at the crease and Leggy was scouring the Level 2 coaching manual in vain to find which chapter had recommended this tap-dancing approach. It later transpired that Tuck had skipped nets on Thursday evening to get some lessons from the cast of Riverdance. Predictably Mr T skipped over a straight one and was bowled for 15.

Malcolm then finally ran out of puff and received a standing ovation for a fine 79, and at 149-4 we were well placed for a late charge.

Cowlard had found a new hero in Mike Hussey and looked to copy the Aussie slogger by scoring runs only in the arc between deep mid wicket and cow corner. The Caunton skipper was soon wise to the tactic though stationing four of his men on the leg side boundary. AC changed tack and smashed a straight drive to the only fielder on the off side and ball and hand both raced to the boundary. At the other end Billy Harrison was more text book playing the shot of the day, a glorious high-elbowed drive through extra cover. Both fell in quick succession going for the slog, Cowlard for 27, Billy for 16. Healy Jnr and See-Soar played a couple of nice shots each to see us to 196-6 at the break, a fine score.

Tea was an Italian banquet prepared by Chris and mostly Ali. The signature dishes of barbabietole e sorpresa arancione and pasta con tonno were again well to the fore, but the highlight was the impressive pineapple tower decorated with fresh strawberries which scored 6.0 for both technical merit and artistic impression. Leggy made sure he was going to satisfy his appetite with a side table all of his own.

In reply we chipped away at the opposition top order taking wickets at regular intervals. The first breakthrough was a bizarre run out. Young Ben fired into the bowler’s end and Cowlard whipped off the bails with the opener at least two yards out. The ump shook his head only to see the opener sportingly running off to the pavilion declaring he was miles out. JB didn’t need to move an inch at gully to take a catch off a full toss from Leggy. Then Cowlard found a bottom edge through to Malc.

The Adonis was a bit rusty running up the hill for his first bowl of the season but soon had the no.4 slogging a catch to Billy running in off the cow corner boundary. Billy was all smiles, confessing he was “sh*tting himself” when the ball was in the air! We weren’t helped by the Chairman hobbling around in the field like Herr Flick after his earlier injury, dropping one sitter and failing to go for another when the sun was apparently in his eyes. Otherwise our fielding was sparkling led by youngsters Healy, See-Soar and Sam Niece. Though the Sticky Palmer fielding point went to Jonty Legge for a series of amazing diving stops that belied his age and the number of cakes he’s scoffed at tea.

A decent 5th wicket partnership threatened for a while, but the run rate was climbing all the while. Two wickets in an over from JB put us right on top and Billy cleverly bowled the Caunton skipper round his legs for 54 to end any hope. We couldn’t prise out the last wicket but won comfortably by 12 runs for a fine 19 points. The Adonis took 4-39, Billy 2-20 and Cowlard and Leggy a wicket each.

A great team effort in a game played in fine spirit.

Firsts Edged Out In A Thriller

The Keyworth first team were away at Wollaton II's, on a sunny if a bit breezy day.

Bobby was on Rocket time, arriving last, and then lost the toss seeing the Millers put into the field. The wicket looked good but played with variable bounce that contributed to keeper Beakey's multiple sore fingers by the end of the innings.

Keyworth got off to a good start with both openers going in the first 5 overs, with Rocket Rendu (3-54 off 12) and Dave Strong (1-76 off 15) bowling well, but the speed of the outfield meant that it was either a dot or 4, leading to 5 an over coming off the first 20.

Top of Keyworth's Sanatogen-sponsored bunch of crocks this week was again Ian Graham who was suffering from a Drurs-like glass back ailment. He managed to struggle though 5 overs (0-27) before being hidden in the field for the rest of the innings.

The 3rd wicket pair (82 & 57) put on a 100+ partnership after benefiting from a couple of the usual dropped chances to take the home side to 143-3 off 3o overs.

But skipper Rob Baker (2-69 off 16) and the returning Rendu and Strong managed to restrict the boundaries so that Wollaton couldn't capitalise with their wickets in hand to post a huge total, instead they were restricted to a par 244-6.

Tea was the best away buffet seen in recent years, with the Wollaton football team (who were watching the Cup Final in the pavilion) chomping at the bit to get in on the act.

IG decided he was fit enough to bat, but decided that running between the wickets was not an option for his back, so bludgeoned his way to 50 in just 27 balls and ultimately spanked 67 in 37 balls with a supreme display of clean hitting. At the other end Ted Elliott (3) could only stand and watch before being caught. 107-2 off 20. Son Ben was next in, and was harshly triggered LBW for 12. Marc Bailey soon followed for a first ball duck, falling this time plumb LBW- Bails was chuntering that he can't start an innings facing spin... 155-4 off 30.

Jason Vickers and Steve Rendu then steadied the ship with more clean hitting and good running, with the Long Haired Buffoon notching a 40-ball 52. Jay was joined by Dale Collison with 10 overs left and 50 runs required, and they kept the score ticking over until Jay (44) was C&B by the red football boot (!) wearing spinner (who ended up with 6'for). 222-6 off 44.

With 'the finisher' Dave Strong now at the crease, the Millers looked set to chase down the runs, but with 3 overs left Emma Dale (14) was bowled and then Phil Drearden (7) followed unluckily bowled by one that rolled rather than bounced. Bobby Baker entered the crease needing a run a ball off the remaining 15 deliveries with 2 wickets remaining, but was run out for 3 after a yes-no moment with Strongy on a sharp second run. You may think Keyworth would have shut up shop for a draw at this point with 12 needed off 9 balls with a wicket in hand, but that's not the Millers way, so Strongy went for it with a big swipe and was bowled leaving the visitors just short on 233 all out.

The Millers won't be on the losing side too many times this year after posting 233, so may reflect on a good performance despite the frustrating result.

First Plum Encounter.

Last Tuesday saw the 12s arrive at Plumtree for a pairs match, in similarly baltic conditions, despite some rays of sunshine, amidst the Independence Day sky. Not the day for shorts and toeless sandals...

With the legends of Palmer and Dring at the helm of the Plums development squad, it was always going to be played in great spirits.

Palmer Jnr won the toss and elected to bat and immediately took to the crease himself. Shepherd eyeing up the prized wicket! After a single off the first over, Rock, for the second night in succession, took a wicket with his first ball as Palmer looped one into the grateful hands of Neece - wicket maiden. Change ends -6 runs. Shepherd then caught the Plumtree skipper off his own bowling before removing his middle stump. Fantastic start.

With the constant drizzle making it unpleasant at best and the ball like a bar of soap - Neece and Kitching kept applying the pressure. The latter producing a tremendously flighted leg break to take out off stump.

Debutant, Walker, bowled a superb two overs and deservedly took a wicket, clean bowled, with the 3rd pair starting to find their feet. Cox, not to be out done, was thankful to Brown who held on safely at mid off.

With dad cowering on the sidelines inappropriate clothing (for the weather not a bikini...) young Phoenix maintained his spritely manner with the ball, looking sharp and back to his mark quickly. Brown took his maiden competitive wicket, with his final ball, as one popped up to Cairns, who had done well behind the stumps.

(start on 200) 274 - 8 (-6x8) Nett 228

Senior partners of Cairns and Neece opened up, and saw off Palmer's initial over, still on -18 Joe, but the Plumtree skipper was made of sterner stuff as Cairns played across a straight delivery and the bails tumbled. A great start from the pair saw 18 runs scored for the loss of 1 wicket.

Cox and Walker, were instructed to play with a straight bat and repel everything, which they did to warm applause from the sideline. With Plumtree bowling excellent, and not one extra (2 runs) delivered the pressure was being applied. Cox lofted one into the covers before an indecisive run out put the Plums on top, thanks to 4-2-2-2 from the second change pair. 220-3

The big hitting Shepherd strode out with sidekick Kitching looking to go aerial, but quickly resorted to last seasons baseball style swing and a miss. Kitching, who appeared to be running in his own lane of treacle, was grateful to inexperience after being caught half way down the track for a returning run. Shepherd bludgeoned one back over the bowlers head. The ball from the deep reached the bowler who stood at the stumps with the ball without removing the bails.

With runs hard to come by, Shepherd swung hard on two straight ones to find himself one stump short of a wicket.

The lovable left hander, Phoenix, looked strong on his legs, as the bowling remained impeccable. Rock clipped one to midwicket before being bowled as the screw was being tightened.

The last pair of Newell and Brown were instructed to enjoy it and put on 19 runs. Brown finishing the innings on a high with a beautifully whipped boundary. Palmer came back for the last laugh - a full delivery bowling Newell and very tidy figures of 3-0-11-2.

252 - 9 Nett 198

A very enjoyable night and a very creditable start, especially thinking back to last year when double figure wickets down, were conceded regularly at the start of the season. An excellent lesson in bowling by the Plumtree attack but a pleasing performance all round.

Newell Cashes in During the 12s Debut

A first competitive match for the Under 12s saw a visit to Farnborough Road, to play Ellerslie, in an 11 aside fixture.

A bitterly cold and miserable night would certainly test the spirits of the new players from both sides. Regulars of Shepherd, Neece, Newell and Cairns were joined by Rock, Blacklock, Cox and Kitching plus the debutants of Burns, Malik and Ackroyd.

Cairns won the toss and elected to bat, eager to take advantage of Tuckwell's offer of £5 for the first man to retire on 35. Cairns and Neece opened, only for the latter to be back in the hutch, during the first over, after lofting one to cover.

Newell watched on as Cairns worked three nice boundaries around his pads before playing across the line and departing LBW, for 14.

Blacklock and Newell put on an excellent 43, as Tuckwell and scoring partner could bear no more and headed to the warmth of the car: Right indicator to confirm wides, left indicator: no balls, full beam: boundaries.

Blacklock departed for 10, caught in the covers, as Newell decided to hit the gas. A strong leg side 6 was followed by 3 successive boundaries as Tom raced to holy grail of 35 to rapturous applause from his team mates. Tuckwell was left thinking of an excuse with £2.72 in his pocket.

With 3 overs to go Shepherd hit some boundaries before a low one removed off stump. Rock and Cox followed in quick succession leaving Burns and Kitching to close out the innings.

98-6 off 18.

Shepherd and Rock opened the bowling, the latter removing middle stump wiith his first delivery. Shepherd, out of sorts, looked to remove the openers head in his second over. One in the bread basket enough to retire the other opener.

Kitching bamboozled everyone with his leg spin. The flighted one, uplayable, bowling the number 3 and finishing with figures of 2-0-4-1.

Malik, having only 2 practice games under his belt, bowled excellently. A wicket maiden a great way to finish off, thankful to Burns for a great catch at long on.

At 28-3 off 10 the KCC boys were well on top, so much so, the opposition manager looked to play for bad light, which was declined!

With all players given a chance to bowl, runs came more freely and at 64-4 off 15, thoughts of bad light had disappeared...

Newell was called upon to shut up shop and was immediately in the action. The batsman wrongly chancing the arm of Burns who arrowed in to Blacklock to remove the bails. 4 more dots followed before the No.8s middle stump went cart wheeling.

Neece turned the screw further, before Captain Cairns concluded the innings. Ellerslie finished on 74-6, leaving the 12s with a maiden 25 run victory and Man-of-the-Match, Newell Quids in!

Wash Out

Single figure temperature and persistent drizzle meant a complete washout for both sides.

2 out of 2 for the 13s

The Under 13s headed to Ellerslie for the first leg of the Newark Cup, with potentially the top 2 progressing. Radcliffe, having already defeated Ellerslie, the other opponents.

Strange but true, the home side bats first, regardless. So the boys left the changing room with, 'do a professional job' ringing in their ears, from Legge and Tuckwell.

Brown opened on the brand new astro, causing extra lift. Neece, at short mid-off, pouching the opener, 3rd ball, as one floated up. There was to be no respite as Steiner forced the 3 jacket to go aerial, Stolworthy taking an excellent over the shoulder catch at long off.

Brown then ripped through 4 and 5 with 2 pearlers, that removed off stump and middle. Steiner returned to finish his second over with a plum LBW. 11-5 off 4

Tuckwell was slightly concerned as a feeling of 'deja vu' crept in, having had Ellerslie at the same score last July, only for the home side to accumulate a match winning 82.

But, vice captain, Mills, kept the pressure on in his first over. Neece taking another beautiful horizontal catch at mid-off, hanging in the air for as long as he could, waiting for the paparazzi to click!

3 overs passed without wickets as Ellerslie looked to rebuild, hoping that they had seen off the strike bowlers but with Stolworthy, Shepherd, Healey yet to bowl plus Tudor, Normington and Neece waiting in the wings if necessary - it was not to be.

Last seasons leading wicket taker, Stolworthy, was straight in the action - an edge found its way into the safe mitts of Hennessy, behind the stumps. The final delivery led to a bizarre run out, a safe single was called then declined. Mills fired at the stumps but hit Hennessy on the rear, laughter and a bit of a melee ensued before Normington took responsibility and whipped off the bails with both Ellerslie batsmen halfway down the track!

Shepherd removed the dangerman, who was well set - thankful to the catch of the day from Brown - who ran round from point and took an amazing effort round his ankles, at full stretch. Shepherd's following over saw a tremendous act of sportsmaship from the 10 year old number 11. Snicko registered as the ball found its way into Hennessy's gloves. With neither umpire sure what it hit - the young man declared he had edged it and walked, to a full round of applause and acknowledgement from all.

38 all out off 14.3

Brown, 3-0-10-3, the pick of the bowlers followed by Shepherd. 2.3-0-3-2

Back in the hutch, a lid was kept on the enthusiam with the job only half done, and 39 required for victory. Tudor presented a straight forward caught and bowled, 3rd ball, as Coulthard strode to the crease.

Some accurate bowling and strong defence kept the score in check. Healey sent the rare leg side delivery to the boundary before departing for 13, caught at gully. 26-2 off 9. Normington and Coulthard kept the rate ticking before the latter missed a straight one.

Neece came in with 10 required. A brilliantly ran 4, left 1 for victory which Normington duly obliged, scampering through on the next delivery.

39-3 off 14.1

A bouyant changing room, 2 out of 2, and a very professional job completed

For all senior players: The Under 13s will be holding a fielding clinic, specialising in catching, tonight: 5.15 - 7pm...

Firsts Off The Mark

The usual pre-match selection problems continued for Tindsley with 5 batsmen (Somekh, Bailey, Collison, Potts and himself) still unavailable plus star (and youthful) all-rounders Meek, Newby and Hiller A(???) still resting their aging limbs or reading books! This was not without intrigue, as a certain Dale Collison took 3-22 for Risley 2nd's in Division K - no doubt a points deduction will follow for playing an ineligible player!

Anyway, the circus that is KCC this week

rolled into Attenborough who have a Premier League ground in a beautiful setting next to the Nature Reserve.

Stand in Skipper Baker, lost the toss and unsurprisingly after last week’s dismal score from the Millers it was no surprise when we were asked to bat on a traditionally low keeping/scoring wicket. Tactics were discussed for once - “no more than 2 wickets down after 30 overs and the score would look after itself...” Not a great start then when Golden Graham turned in a golden duck – clean bowled playing down the ‘Waterloo line’ with the ball down the ‘Central’... New signing Vickers was due in at no3 but it has only taken him a week at KCC to need an appointment with his physio, unfortunately this meant he was running late and still padding up when he was needed at the crease.

Benji was back from completing University and heading towards the nets for his first hit in 6 months when he was redirected to the middle to join Father Ted. Ted (2) hung around until the 7th over until he went chasing a wide one from the Attenborough Swinger (no car keys involved!) and we were 8 for 2 after 8 overs and a feeling of déjà-vu was kicking in... 90 minutes later the future of the Club looked in safe hands as Jay and Ben batted superbly to put on 97 in 25 overs. Ben showing his full array of shots with Jay building one of the best support and chance less innings we have seen in years! The athleticism of the lads was also unbelievable and the Senior Pro’s were getting tired just watching as the 2 youngsters ran 7 three’s in one 4 over spell... Ben did survive a dolly of a caught and bowled chance on 9 but he made them pay in his knock of 46 until, eventually going for one pull to many on this skiddy track.

Rocket joined Jay and hit a quick fire 19 as he added 42 with Jay before both fell in quick succession. Jay went for a fantastic 60 before he was briefly replaced by Baker who went to a typically agricultural slog but not before he (and Strongy) showed the younger brigade that they too had the ability to run a 3 although the ‘118 stretching celebrations’ were maybe a touch OTT! Beake (11*) and Strong (23) both batted well ensuring we used the overs up in a nice partnership of 47 although the last over did see Strongy spectacularly run out with a swoop and throw from the bowler, this also brought Kitch in at the non-strikers end. Next ball Beakey creamed a straight drive and the backing up Kitch was run out without facing a ball much to Iggy’s amusement!

205 for 8 at the break was probably 25 above par. Tea was a lovely plated salad with pickled onion and potato salad the highlights. All the boys tucked in except the focussed opening bowlers... Unfortunately the experienced Mick Aplin, opening up for the home team was still hungry and he enjoyed Kitcho’s buffet as he raced to 50 including 5 fours in one over. Rendu looked dangerous at the other end and did generate a couple of chances that were unsurprisingly spilled... In comparison the home team were 73 for 0 from their first 8 overs and the Skipper had little choice but to take the pace of the ball, introducing himself and Iggy into the attack.

Iggy's health problem was a bad back this week and after 3.4 overs of his spell the talk was that the new Drurs would be leaving the field in 2 balls time until he snaffled Aplin caught behind by Beakey for 59. Iggy then dug deep to produce a fine spell returning figures of 4 for 37 from his 16 overs. Keyworth then squeezed the home team into submission and they finally finished 35 short on 170 for 8 but the game wasn’t really over until 2-3 overs remained!

IG was ably supported by Rocket (12 overs, 2 for 46) and Baker (1 for 44 from 16) but special mentions must go to Dave Hiller for his attitude and the energetic Duncan Tarran who was keeping up with Ben in the outfield. Duncan even treated us to an early shout for champagne moment as he performed a Greg Louganis swallow dive, unfortunately he was 15 yards away from the ball...

A hard fought and well earned 17 points will hopefully give us some momentum to take into next week’s home fixture v Bottesford.

Stiffs Seven Short

A narrow loss for the Stiffs at home to Newstead 2nds.

Cowlard won the toss for the first time in a decade and we fielded. After two nights of rain the official going was good to soft, soft in places, towards the Village Hall.

The Skipper had forgotten his Ladybird book of cricket so needed help getting the under 13’s into fielding positions. Fortunately the Field of Dreams had plenty of shapes with whitewash remains from football pitches and fielding circles. Mr Tuckwell took control and had the kids stationed along the angle of the hypotenuse, where the centre line crossed the 30 yard circle.

AC was unlucky to narrowly miss taking a wicket with his first ball and it was the story of his day to see the ball miss the outside edge at regular intervals.

The opposition openers reported that Leggy was bowling with deceptive pace up the hill: if anything slower than he looked. Yet The Boss made the first breakthrough, Tuckers safely bagging a lofty drive to cover.

A crowd of teenagers were littering the Field of Dreams at cow corner. Cowlard thought the easiest way to get them shifted was to introduce Drurs to the attack. The other Newstead opener didn’t need a second invitation, but played all around a rare straight ball from the Chairman and we were level pegging at 60-2 after 20 overs. Cowlard came back for a second spell and soon bowled the opposition skipper and at 75-3 we were on top.

Sadly Cowlard had been practising his fielding with the First Team the previous week. First he called for a dolly at mid off, but failed to move a muscle as the ball dropped in between three fielders space barely 10 yards apart. And then dropped a sitter the next over. Leggy chuckled in the knowledge that for at least one week he wouldn’t be class idiot in the field.

A good 5th wicket partnership took Newstead to 168-4 at tea. Cowlard was the tidiest with 1-24 off 12, Leggy was steady with 1-38 off 11, Drurs was a mixed bag with 1-25 off 7. 14 year old Sam Neece bowled splendidly on his league debut taking 1-43 in two spells of 5 overs. Tuckers took the fielding point with muddiest knees, but special mention to under 13’s Isaac and Josh for showing great concentration in the field.

Tea was a lovely spread from Lorraine who sadly wasn’t there to take the plaudits. The youth policy devoured the iced doughnuts at a rate that had Leggy purring with admiration.

In reply Drurs and Ernie set off like a train racing to 32 off 8 overs. Drurs had just hit two glorious boundaries before missing a straight one to go for 11. Tuckers was promoted to no.3 to be in his car by 6.00, and the pinch-hitting worked a treat, with a glorious 3 wood over mid off the highlight in a rapid 23. Tuckers sprinted off quicker than Iggy with the trots the week before. The Lays fell in quick succession, Ernie for 31 and Paul for 10. Cowlard inked himself in for a move down the order with a dreadful smear to be caught for 5 and we looked in big trouble at 110-6 when Leggy followed for 4.

Phil Dearden showed why he would be moving in the opposite direction to Cowlard in the batting order with a fluent innings including 4 sixes. We were always behind the run rate and needed 20 off the last over. Dimps called for oxygen after scampering a couple of two's, but we ended seven short with Phil unbeaten on 49.

Special mention to Chris See-Soar for racing up after a stint of overtime in case we were a man short, and then braving the arctic conditions after tea, scoring outside while his team mates hid in the warmth of the changing room.