The Title by Numbers

Congratulations indeed to the Under 13s. Here's how it all unfolded...

01/06/10: Keyworth v Ellerslie (h)

The Keyworth innings was struggling to ignite at 44-6 before an excellent 9th wicket stand of 42 between Tudor (19*) and Cairns (14*) saw a strong finish leaving KCC on 97 for 8. In reply, a masterful bowling disply reduced the away team to 8-6 off 6. Healey (3-1-2-2), Mills (3-2-1-2) and Normington (3-1-2-1) causing problems. A 64 run win as Ellerslie reached 33-8 off their 18.

07/06/10: Keyworth v Fiskerton (h)
An undefeated, record breaking, 2nd wicket partnership of 85 from Newell (35*) and Normington (35*) saw Keyworth post their highest total to date: 119-5 off 18. In reply, Fiskerton totalled 80-8. Healey (2-0-9-2) and Brown (3-0-13-3) the chief tormentors. A 39 run victory.

22/06/10: Keyworth v Flintham (h)
Nice (32*) anchored the innings and was ably supported by Healey (14) and Normington (12) as the ton was once again reached in 18 overs. 101-5. An abject fielding display saw the first defeat of the season, as Flintham squeezed home with 3 balls to spare. 102-4 off 17.3 and a 6 wicket reverse. Healey (3-0-8-0) and Brown (3-0-11-0) maintaining respectability with the figures.

30/06/10: Bottesford v Keyworth (a)
Bottesford were off to a flier with 30 up after 4 overs. A tight spell of bowling from Tudor (3-0-13-1) Mills (3-0-11-0) and Rock (3-0-15-0) saw the scoring slow, as the home side posted 86-3. Newell (28) and Normington (20) raced to 49 off 6 before a mini collapse. Healey (19*) kept his composure to see Keyworth home with 8 balls to spare and a 4 wicket victory.

This set up a winner takes all match against Radcliffe B with both sides entering the final game with a 3-1 record.

27/07/10: Radcliffe B v Keyworth (a)
A steady start from Radcliffe saw 45-0 reached at the halfway mark. Season best figures from Mills (3-0-7-3) and Nice (3-0-6-2) left Radcliffe on 71-6 at the close. A fired up response saw Nice (10) and Normington (16) accelerate the scoreboard with Newell (32*) leaving Healey (1*) to score the match, and Championship, winning runs - with 9 overs to spare and an 8 wicket victory. 72-2

http://newarkcyl.play-cricket.com/leagueTables/resultsReport_view.asp?divisionid=10059263&seasonID=23

For those interested in their stats. Tom Newell sits prettily at the top of the Newark League batting charts, with an average of 95. With the other boys featuring prevalently in the other areas.

http://newarkcyl.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/Battingstats.asp?fromForm=1&seasonID=23&filter=0&sortBy=5&top=10

Under 13’s League Championes

Just two years after re-introducing our Youth Policy we have won our first piece of silverware. Well done to all involved. Proud President of KCC Barry Baker takes up the story..........

Tuckers' & Leggy’s prodigies produced a classy display at Radcliffe on Trent CC as they swept away their closest rivals by 8 wickets on Tuesday night (27th July) to clinch the Newark Youth League championship for under 13 year olds.

This was a complete ‘team’ performance from the same squad that won only one match in their debut 2009 season. A year on and the experience and maturity was there for all to see and great tribute must be paid to Simon, Chris, Paul Newell and a great bunch of very supportive parents – it was a pleasure for me to witness and share their joy!

Radcliffe, although not losing a wicket early on, were contained by sustained spells of good, accurate bowling by the pacemen, Dominic Steiner and Isaac Brown, and then the steady length of medium pacers Zachary Tudor and Greg Mills, before Mills made a double breakthrough with Steiner collecting two smart catches in the covers. Mills struck again to claim 3 wickets for 7 runs off his 3 overs.

Ben Healey and Joe Nice came on for the last six overs with the hosts under pressure to increase the scoring rate. The pace of Healey troubled the batsmen and they tried to take chances against the flight and spin of Nice but Pete Hennessy was sharp behind the stumps and the throwing in from the field was fast and accurate and when Brown clung on to a skyer out on the deep long on boundary Radcliffe were struggling. Nice claimed 2 wickets for 6 runs off his 3 overs and Radcliffe finished on 71 for 6 from their 18 overs.

Paul not only in charge of the scorebook, was fervently texting updates every over to Tuckers, trying to relax with Alex in Paris celebrating their first wedding anniversary.

Skipper Harry Normington, leading from the front, opened up with the in form Joe Nice, and Nice was quickly into his stride with two crunching square drives backward of point for boundaries, only to perish on 10, victim of Leggy’s dreaded finger for a caught behind, a decision later questioned by Nice who thought the ball had just brushed his pads.

Tom Newell joined Normington and with some very sensible batting, the pair played straight to the good balls and scored off the loose deliveries for a match winning partnership of 56 and when Healey came to the wicket only two runs were needed for an 8 wicket victory off just 9 of the allotted 18 overs. Newell 32 not out and Healey 1 not out.

A first League championship win at this level in the history of the Club and they lost only one match in this competition all season, to Flintham CC.

Barry Baker
KCC President

The KCC stars of the current (and future!)

Back row, left to right, Chris Legge (Coach), Ben Healey, Tom Newell, Joe Nice, Harry Normington, Dominic Steiner, Isaac Brown & Paul Newell (Under 12s Manager).

Front row…Greg Mills, Peter Hennessy, Harry Stolworthy, Zachary Tudor, Josh Coulthard.

Missing from the photo, Simon Tuckwell (Juniors Manager) and players who appeared in other League matches, Jack Cairns, MacKenzie Shepherd, Tom Blacklock & Tom Rock.

1sts Win 4th In A Row.... In Style

Wollaton 2’s were this week’s visitors to the Field of Dreams; replacing the away side in the top half of the league table was an incentive for victory!

Benji and Strongy were absent but a late call up for home boy Cowlard and Duncan disorderly meant a strong side was still fielded...

After the early dismissal of Marc Bailey (who didn’t walk as he middled one to the keeper for 10), IG and Jamie put on 116 for the 2nd wicket in less than 20 overs. IG was in great form and smashed 114 off 76 balls including 6 x 6’s. Jamie played the supporting role hitting a useful 21.

Both fell in quick succession, Tinno (32) took up the anchor role and Rocket tried to emulate Ian but fell after a quick fire 28 caught at long off going for another maximum!

Steve was replaced by AC (or as he is now known NG12) who was under strict instructions to play within himself with 15 overs still to go. After a few quiet ones Andy cut loose and smashed 42 out of a partnership with his skipper of 62, this included 20 off one over!

Beake 9* and Kitch 5* were unbeaten at the end and although Ian was the mainstay, a good team effort including 8 x 6’s and 32 x 4’s meant we finished on a convincing 290 for 7 at the interval...

After Ian’s knock it was then time for the 2nd highlight of the day with Simon ‘Chopper’ Harris providing the tea – this was done free of charge to the Club by one of our much appreciated Vice President’s.

Highlights included Asparagus and goats' cheese pasta; mozzarella, tomato and mint salad and milk chocolate brownies mixed with a swirl of white chocolate (even Bulimic Bobby had to have a 2nd brownie, although he did have to pass on the fruit kebabs to accommodate!).

Time for Wollaton to bat and the Rocket Man took a wicket in the first over, this was quickly followed with a 2nd wicket as Bail’s took a great low catch at short extra cover to leave the visitors up against it.

Things went from bad to worse for both Wollaton and Bail’s as his catch of the season contender was surpassed just moments later by the athletic Baker (?!?!) in the gully. Baker defying his years (and waistline) dived full stretched to snare a one hander that never got higher than 6 inches above the ground. The stunned silence only broken by onlooker Roger Wilson who shouted out “Did you think it was a pork pie Rob?” Quality banter...

As drizzle was in the air the spinners were introduced to speed things up a bit, but Rob, Ian and pick of the three Dave Hiller all struggled to have much penetration on a slow featherbed against a team that had given up going for the win by the 25th over (when they had been reduced to 60 for 5).

Opposition skipper Andy Crossley batted stubbornly for a well constructed 67no and Wollaton gained 7 points as they finished on 148 for 8.

Rocket was once again the star bowler with two great spells giving him a return of 14 overs, 6 for 42. This also lifted him to 27 wickets for the season (one above Bobby). Kitch taking 2 for 31 off 12 also had some joy as he showed the form that he had shown at the start of the season!

A 142 run ‘winning draw’ and 17 points was enough to lift us into the top half.

Unfortunately the Firsts don’t have a fixture this week but hopefully a strong 2nd XI will be well supported at the Field of Dreams whilst rumour has it ex-KCC star Laddy is in town for the Test Match and to wet the head with new Dad (and KCC’s 5th wicket partnership all time record holder) Degsy. Congratulations to Degs and Vic on the birth of baby Lucas last week.

Battle For Bonus Points

The Stiffs had to battle for bonus points after conceding a big score away at Caunton. This was our first visit to Caunton for almost 20 years and the ground would feature in any top 10 but for the lack of showers.

Leggy, with a new job in the bank, had a clear mind for once, but not clear enough to call correctly at the toss, and we were sentenced to chase leather on a rock hard pitch and a motorway of an outfield.

Our attack was weakened by Team Elliott being away at a wedding, and Cowlard playing at home. Caunton attacked confidently from the off, racing along at more than 6 an over throughout the innings. The Boss made an early breakthrough with The Adonis taking a smart catch at fly slip, but it was hard work for our inexperienced bowling attack.

Chris See-Soar came on first change and immediately got a wicket. The Caunton no.3 was clearly put off by Chris's new army haircut and Malc Healey took a great swirling catch at extra cover. Dimps announced he was donating his match tax to Chris to get his Barnet finshed off before next week. Later in his spell Chris yorked out another wicket finishing his spell with 2-32 off 6 overs.

Spin twins JB and Drurs couldn't find an inch of turn and the scorecard rattled along still further. Drurs squeezed out a couple of wickets with a stumping by Ernie and another catch by Malc.

With wickets in hand we went round the park in the last 10 overs. Caunton finshed on a massive 285-5 off their 45 overs, with the 16 year old no.4 reaching a fine 100 off the last ball. Leggy (1-62) and Drurs (2-69) took most of the punishment from their 12 overs to save the juniors from a harsh intro to League cricket. We didn't give up in the field and Dimps just shaded the fielding point with a perfect long barrier at cover point.

Tea was fantastic, and had most asking for positions down the order, so as to gorge on the couscous, onion rings, and vast fruit platter. Though the highlight was the home made sherry trifle topped with silver sugar balls, not seen since the 1970's.

With a weak batting side we aimed to get maximum batting points, with anything else a bonus. Ern and Drurs put on 90 in 20 overs until Ernie was LBW for 33, so plum that he actually walked! The home side didn't bowl too many bad balls and upwards of 8 an over was too much for us.

Malc took a while to get back into the groove, then hit a great straight 6 before being harshly judged LBW for 31. Paul Lay took the chance to get back into form and sprinted between the wickets to allow Drurs to bring up his century in the penultimate over.

We ended on 211-2 with Paul unbeaten on 18 and Drurs on 104.

Charlie Underwood - Keyworth Legend

It is with great sadness, we have learnt of the death of Charlie Underwood on 17 June 2010, one of Keyworth Cricket Club’s greatest ever players and an Honorary Life Vice President.

Charlie, usually known as ‘Chuckie’ was a left hand batsman and a brilliant fielder. During the Second World War he served under B H Valentine (Captain of Kent CCC) and was considered an outstanding prospect by him. He was Keyworth’s Batsman of the Year in 1948, 1955 and 1957 and between 1935 and 1965 scored over 3500 runs – he rarely bowled.

A reserved man, Charlie could be ruthless at the wicket and recorded three centuries, 100 not out against Sandiacre CC on the 12th of August 1950 and then in two successive matches, the only recorded occasion in the club’s history, 113 against Hucknall CC on 10 August and giving Sandiacre CC another headache scored 105 not out on 16 August, in 1952. In addition, Charlie went past 50 on eleven more occasions and his total career run haul at first team level places him sixth in the all time list – and Charlie played in an era of bowler friendly wickets.

The 594 runs he garnered in the 1952 season stood as a club record until 1976 and has only been bettered in six other seasons by an individual batsman and Charlie’s partnership of 124 runs with Gerald Starbuck in a match played on the 1st of August 1959 against Raleigh Athletic CC still stands as the club record for a seventh wicket batting partnership.

Charlie was also an outstanding footballer and captained Keyworth United to League and Cup honours in the 1950’s.

Charlie’s father, Oliver Underwood played for Keyworth in the 1920’s making a top score of 83 and later was the club’s groundsman and occasionally an umpire, and Charlie’s grandfather William Underwood was a bowler with Ruddington CC who gained selection for Notts Colts in 1875 and 1876 and made one Nottinghamshire CCC appearance in 1881. Charlie’s two brothers in law, Jimmy Longworth and William (Bill) Attewell both played for Keyworth in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Jimmy, was also an outstanding footballer.

The photograph above features the 1948 First XI and many of the club’s best known players

Back row (l to r)…Jack Kershaw (umpire), Alec Bennett (a former Lancashire league pro), Peter Gray (a current Vice President), Tommy Hinchcliffe (a former pro footballer with Derby County & Nottingham Forest and Stuart Meek’s grandfather), Albert Keetley (a former pro footballer with Bournemouth), CHARLIE UNDERWOOD (3rd from the right) William Attewell & Peter Witcomb.

Front row…Ron Armstrong (one of our best ever bowlers), Joe Reid (former Border League pro), Harry Henson (another great bowler and captain 1948 to 1959), Keith Hodgett & John Reeve (both, outstanding bowlers and still club Vice Presidents).

Charlie in recent years had been residing in a Nursing Home in Cotgrave.

Ruddington Run Fest

A comprehensive defeat for the Stiffs at home to Rudd.

We had the usual pre-match selection merry-go-round with only 10 men available, but fortunately KCC legend Tommy had got the yips at golf, so pulled on the whites for old times sake.

With Alesandra away in Italy, Leggy had been back on his Samit Patel diet and was straining at the seams. Fortunately Dimps had used his contacts at Tweedies to source a new shirt for The Boss.

Ted won the toss and we bowled first to make use of a greenish track and new ball. Boom had been on a tree-hugging team building course during the week and emphasised the need to bowl tightly in the pre-match huddle. At 100-0 after 18 overs the message hadn't rubbed off on our seam attack!

With the remnants of the Keyworth Show still scarring the outfield, Liam ran in from the outer bullseye of the target golf, but sadly kept pitching on double three rather than treble twenty as the runs flowed. Cowlard trundled on from the tombola end was more wayward than usual. Leggy wouldn't have troubled the coconut shy as he went for 45 in his 4 overs.

Runs were leaking faster than a BP oil well, so Ted set about plugging the hole himself. Drurs took a sharp diving catch to make the first break through seeing off Tom Randall, son of ex-KCC legend Alan for 58. Billy bowled a tight spell down the hill conceding just 29 in his 7 overs and we'd got a bit of control back. Drurs undid the good work going for 20 in his 2 overs but bought a wicket. Liam struck a late blow but we were on the wrong end of a hiding at 252-4 at tea. Tommy and Duncan shared the fielding point for keeping the score below 300.

Tea by Dunc was a disorderly affair. Sandwiches were beautifully made, but a lack of milk and cakes was a schoolboy error. The tea urn had also not been turned on. Tommy lifted the mood... "Hey, Ted, is the cup of tea ready yet?"..... "No!"..... "OK, i'll have coffee then!". Ted didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

In reply we got off to a poor start against a good opening attack. Drurs lost his better-than-Bradman average LBW for 2, Paul Lay was caught for 0, and Ernie for 9. After 7 overs we were 23-3. Ted and Cowlard set about the recovery and put an entertaining 50 before AC missed a straight one on 26. Needing to leave in 20 minutes Leggy rushed to the crease, but had plenty of time to change bowled for 1. Liam went to a sharp catch for 4 and at 105-6 we were in big trouble.

Dimps had been enjoying his cricket so much that he'd bought a new blade, his first since Richard Hadlee gave him a cast off in the 1980's and knicked in the middle, but then the edge, caught behind for 7. Duncan hit a lovely cover drive before being plum LBW for 10.

Tommy had been warming up like Jack Hobbs on the boundary, but wasn't going to hang around in the middle with beer to be drunk. His first ball was duck hooked to the mid wicket boundary, but he re-loaded to play the shot of the day a glorious straight drive with a touch of draw back over the bowler's head. 12 off 6 balls was almost the highlight of the innings.

However, in between the clatter of wickets Ted had played beautifully, effortlessly cutting and flicking off his legs, hitting 17 boundaries before holing out for 89 in the penultimate over.

Billy was the best no.11 we've had for ages and sent the close field fleeing with a lovely lofted cover drive. We ended on 194, a decent effort for maximum batting points, but well beaten by a much better team in the end.

Collingham Collapse

First Team match report, better late than never, which summed up the punctuality of most of the squad on Saturday! With Dale on family duty, the report comes courtesy of Bobby, so prepare yourself for an epic....

The temperature touched 30 degrees on Saturday and the 1st XI made their longest drive of the season up the A46 past Newark to one of the Counties leading grounds at Collingham CC.

Collingham were joint top of 1C, had won 6 on the spin and a challenge was in store, particularly as we were without keeper Beakey, stroke maker Benji, Dale ‘the finisher’ Collison and part time Superstar Ian Graham (barbecuing in Derbyshire??) - we have stopped mentioning Andy Hiller who we hope is in rehab after a sustained bought of ‘underthethumbitus’!!!

Despite these quality absentees, excitement was in the air with the news that the Club’s 2nd best batsman (Druers) had finally answered the call of promotion (an average of 100+ for the 2’s left him with no excuses strong enough to stay in NG12) so his presence coupled with a recent rise in form meant we were optimistic!

An excited Tinno was fit and guested as Skipper but in true Rendu style headed out to the toss without a team sheet, match ball, or 3 of his top 6 batsmen at the ground... He inevitably won the toss and elected to bat on a deck that hadn’t seen water for 16 days & if we got some players soon we were eyeing up a 250+ total...

Unfortunately opener Bailey was lost on the A46 and Senior Pro’s Drury & Mark “Strongy” Thatcher were still taking the scenic route but enjoying their “car rally” enormously in Retford (some 10 miles away). In reality, Strongy was actually much closer to us physically than he was mentally after a tough Friday night “popping out for one” with the Boots Rugby Boys, was followed by an even tougher morning at Chez Strong!! As the last players arrived at the ground (in the 7th over!) we had raced to an impressive 10 for 1 with emergency opener Tinno (1) the casualty! Ted (13) and Marc (6) then followed quickly, both with leading edges to leave us on 24 for 3 after 15 overs.

Rocket then strode to the crease and played his normal expansive game, but after hitting the league’s senior (oldest) spinner out of the park once, he holed out off the last ball of the over for 16 and to the only man in the deep when strike retention should have been his priority. This left us at 59 for 4 and we were heading for about half of our 250 target.

Cometh the Hour, cometh the Man, and Druers hobbled out (after his 3 lap warm up – even though it was 30 degrees!!!) armed with his new willow c/o Matt Prior or should I say Beakey’s mate at Sussex CCC. Rich made an immediate impression – by looking identical to fellow tall, skinny and technically correct batting partner Jay Vickers, luckily one was slightly slower at backing up than the other so the lads and Super Shelley could tell them apart! As our first real partnership looked like developing the age difference (and failing hearing) paid dividends as Druers sent Jay back (Jay completing 1 ¾ runs but also losing his wicket) and we were back in the mire at 83 for 5 off 31 overs.

Rich quickly put the mix up behind him and what followed was a pleasure to watch & a great effort against a very consistent and steady bowling attack. Druers and Strongy (34no) put on 100 including 89 in the last 11 overs. Strongy was his usual reliable self and Druers built what was one of the best and most controlled innings of his career, it also contained a huge six that even had his no.1 critic Bobby Baker purring!!! As Druers chased the final batting point he eventually lost his wicket selflessly with 2 balls to spare for a man of the match performing 73 off 74 balls. He was replaced by Bobby who hit 5 from 2 balls to leave us on 190 for 6 at half time.

Although this was probably 30-40 below par, the initiative was in firmly in Keyworth’s favour!
Spirits were high and tea was rated as top notch. Chicken Tikka sandwiches were nice, but the desserts stole the show with fresh fruit, custard doughnuts, bakewell tart, Black Forest gateaux, and raspberry flan a quite astonishing spread. But Boom Boom’s favourite egg custard tarts were the highlight leaving us all even more rotund than normal as we waddled into the field...

With Kitch bowling over one in case we needed to protect the short boundary if it went to the last over an amazing start followed. He got the opener LBW for the first ball of the innings, 0 for 1. Kitch (1 for 29 off 4) then struggled to find his length and had to be warned by the umpire for snatching his cap back too vigorously - tut tut!

Rocket amazingly also got a wicket with his first ball, but then also struggled to find his usual firepower (despite a touch of Tourette's at fine leg much to Baker and Bailey’s amusement). The runs were flowing and it looked like we would need to bowl a confident looking Collingham all out. After 10 overs they had raced to 62 for 2 and the league’s top run scorer and Ex-Minor Counties Lincolnshire pro’ David Pipes was at the crease.

Tinno had misread his match notes and brought on Baker in the 9th over to bowl into the wind.
His tactics started to pay off as both Bobby and Renders (2 for 33 from 7 overs) soon got a wicket each to leave the game in the balance at 75 for 4 of 15 overs.

Dave Hiller-Sister was the day's fielding dunce, clutching at thin air on the boundary, Bobby's face already red from the sun turned a shade of crimson. Taking the pace off the ball looked effective and so Tinno gave Dave Hiller a chance of redemption, replacing Rendu and the two left armers bowled us to a victory much quicker than many would have expected!

The home team's tail hadn’t been required in most of their victories this year and it showed as they collapsed from 107 for 6 to 108 all out.

Dave bowled tightly and deservedly picked up 2 for 22 off 7 overs and Baker claimed 5 for 23 off 9.5 overs. The 9th and 10th wickets were in successive balls to leave him on a hat-trick with his first ball next week...

What was even more amazing is that we actually held some catches, Rendu snaring the dangerous Pipes (38) with a mistimed drive to short extra cover off Baker, and the Big Lad himself took the “show boat” award for an arrogant one handed caught and bowled!

An 82 run victory that was hard earned was very enjoyable.

Everyone headed back to the beautiful Oak Inn at Car Colston for celebratory beers (except the rapidly departing Strong) with the news that selection problems would follow next week (too many to choose from instead of too few for a pleasant change!)

Man of the Match – Rich Drury for smashing the league’s best bowling attack (with the exception of KCC) to all parts...

Desert Storm

A last wicket partnership of 130 between The Adonis and Dimps failed to save the Stiffs away at Newstead. Sadly this was their combined age rather than runs! Guest reporter Boss Hogg fills in the details.............

On our longest travels so far this season the Stiffs eventually arrived in Newstead, Outer Mongolia, the strip doing a passable impersonation of the Gobi Desert. Seems the local council had turned the water mains off for three weeks during a heat wave and all that was missing were camels. They’d probably fallen down the large cracks on one end of the wicket. Boom and Drurs were doing National Service with the Firsts so we had a mixture of very young and very old.

A sight for sore eyes of the ten men visitors was the svelte figure on the boundary of Keyworth legend, Meeky. Fortunately he’d come to support for a couple of hours and was soon shoehorned into a spare of JB’s whites.

For once AC was glad to lose the toss as he was clueless as to what to choose. Newstead decided that the best thing for their out of form First XI batsman was to get him into the fray straightaway. When he picked up AC’s third delivery off middle and put it over the long leg boundary you could sense it might be one of those days. He continued to chance his arm to the best that Andy and Liam could throw at him and he soon got his half century. It looked as if our best way of stopping him was to leave him with no partners, Liam taking three wickets cheaply. One of which saw The Boss leap salmon like to take a two handed catch proving once and for all that pigs can indeed fly. The opener made it to 71 before falling to the full toss sucker punch trademark that is Boss Hogg’s principal wicket taking delivery, AC muttering he still doesn’t know after seven years how they keep working.

The rest of the innings saw the boundaries still flowing but we battled gamely and achieved maximum bowling points in the final over. All the bowlers chipped in but with a lightning fast outfield and short downhill boundary meant keeping the runs down was difficult. Only Boss Hogg managed to rein in the run rate (2-28 off 12 overs), greatly helped by a middle order batsman who whilst difficult to shift was also unable to get the ball away. Liam 4-60, AC 2-71 and potential AC son-in-law, Billy H, 2-29 off his 4 overs.

Tea was average at best, only saved from the dreaded thumbs down by a small plate of melon and strawberries.

In reply we needed someone to get a big score and AC was our man. Playing straight he went after the openers with gusto. The Notts Ladies bowler was soon taken off after giving up 28 off 4 overs. It was clear that the rest of us had to hang in and just support AC. Unfortunately Boss played on but Paul Lay did his part. At 15 overs drink break we were 91-1. But AC fell for his own sucker punch next delivery when top edging a rank long hop to finish on a highly entertaining 71.

The middle order all got into double figures but only Dimp(29), sporting a brand new bat, managed to push on. Helped by rising star of the future, Ben Healey(2), they put on 52 for the 8th wicket ensuring maximum batting points. A few late boundaries, including a head high beamer being dispatched one bounce to the rope by U13 Peter Hennesey, from the tail meant we finished with a very commendable 209.

8 points from a weakened side was a great effort in the circumstances and some valuable experience for the junior section

Nice One

An enjoyable Sunday fixture for Legge's Eleven away at new opponents Waltham.

The home side opened up and claimed that many of their batters had barely played before. Most though would be queuing up to play again as we sent down plenty of declaration bowling. Wickets came at quick intervals, but so did runs to the short boundaries, and Waltham made 193 all out in just 26 overs. JB, Leggy, Drurs and See-Soar all took a couple for plenty, while Paul Nice took a great overhead catch off son Sam; "howzat Son, not bad Dad!". The fielding point though went to young Pete Hennessey behind the stumps for his first senior stumping that Beakey would have been proud of.

In reply Leggy still had a keen eye on his 200 run target for the year. With fixtures arranged into early December this looks a formality after another 20 odd took his tally into the 120's. The Boss though was over-shadowed by 12 year old Joe Nice who batted beautifully. With Dad Paul offering to be in the chair should Joe reach his first 50, it was a mixture of relief and disappointment when Joe was caught and bowled for a super 45.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and we were all out for 120 odd. An enjoyable game that we'll be looking forward to in the future.

Roll Up Roll Up

We greatly benefit from the support of the Playing Fields Association throughout the season so it was nice to be able to add over £250 to the coffers from running the Tombola at the Keyworth Show on Saturday.

Thanks to Cliff, Jean, Dawn, Jude, Ernie and Sheriff Hallam who helped John and Jill Dring to man the stall, and to those who kindly donated prizes.

Bouncebackability

Another home win at the Fortress of Dreams as the Stiffs gained revenge for last week's thrashing against the same opponents Kimberley.

Team selection was more straightforward than previous weeks: a home fixture meant Cowlard was available, while the lack of a first team game gave Tinno some much needed time in the middle, and Benji replaced Ted, who looked for a cure to his yips with the coloured pens in the scorer's gazebo.

The opposition skipper got lost in the mean streets of Keyworth so the toss was done by mobile phone, but we still ended up fielding on another warm day at the Field of Dreams.

The pitch was as dry as a harvested corn field and 200 looked a minimum score. So we were well on top keeping the away side to 21-2 off the first 13 overs. Cowlard made the first strike with Tinno taking an amazing one handed slip catch with the ball almost a foot behind him. Drurs then took a more straight forward catch off Liam at mid off, as the Cotgrave Connection opened with a brilliant spell of 1-9 off 8 overs.

Leggy had been more miserly than George Osborne in previous weeks but here went for 14 in his first over. Billy Butter-Fingers was much steadier up the hill and made a great breakthrough getting the dangerous Danny Williams to slice to Benji at extra cover. 53-3 at half-way drinks was ahead of forecast. The orange barley was served by Jay-Bee, resplendent in vest and rapper's golden bling.

The scoring rate upped after the break but never got out of hand. Ground fielding was tough on the baked out field; Drurs copped one on the jaw, Cowlard one on the chest, and Benji banged his head twice on the sightscreen diving for a catch.

It was hard to keep track of the score. Legends Palmer, Daft and Hallam were busy chatting and Technical Ted had yet to rig up a pulley system to the scoreboard. Ernie finally lost patience screaming out "scoreboard" during a break in play as a Leggy long hop disappeared into the Ashley Road hedge. Dimps soon added a double teapot as Chris See-Soar ran on with some extra balls, mis-hearing the shouts as "spare balls"! The Boss finally got a wicket when Sam Nice took a fine catch at extra cover, to seal the day's fielding award.

A few more big hits raised the score to 160-4 with 5 overs to go and a par score in sight. However AC and Liam bowled full and straight to restrict Kimberley to 180-8 at tea, well below par. Liam led the way with a magic 3-29 off his 12, AC 3-37, supported by Billy 1-16, and Leggy, with erm, 1-60.

Tea courtesy of Lay and Son was fit for an episode of cricket Masterchef, grated cheese and pickle sandwiches the highlight. Though Leggy was more Gregg Wallace in his feedback, moaning about the lack of fruit.

In reply, Ernie wound up the opening quickie down the hill with a ball-by-ball commentary, and the red mist grew thicker as Ern' told the bowler where to bowl to him - and chuckled as he sliced successive balls to his favourite third man boundary. Drurs was again using his WG Grace two foot wide bat and we raced to 75 in the 17th over before Ern' went for one pull too many and was bowled for 32.

Tinno started scratchily, looking like he had only faced a couple of balls all season, which of course was true. The lull in the scoring rate had skipper Cowlard looking twitchy, pacing around the boundary edge. But this was but a temporary hiccup as Drurs and Tinno accelerated through the gears, albeit helped by a few dropped catches. Drurs lofted a six over mid wicket only to be sledged for slogging by Olivia Baker! We smoothly reached our target for just one wicket down in the 40th over, Drurs unbeaten on 89, Tinno on 44, the only downside being a nasty dose of pad rash for Beakey, padded up all innings at no.4!

Thanks to Dimps for umpiring and Ted for scoring, the latter earning a house point from Mrs Elliott for the neatness of his homework.