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.