Legendary Day for Legge

An interclub junior apertif was the curtain raiser for the 5th Annual 20/20 day. Bragging rights were the order of the day with Legge's Legends taking on Tuckers' All Stars.

Tuckers All Stars

Back: Ben Wilson, Jack Cairns, Sam Messham, Joe Nice, Dominic Steiner, Greg Mills

Front: Alex Newell, Josh Coulthard, Simon Tuckwell, Mackenzie Shepherd, Ben Healey.

Legge's Legends

Back: Tom Rock, Joe Baines, Isaac Brown, Joe Palmer, Oscar Brown

Front: Tom Newell, Harry Stolworthy, Chris Legge, Peter Hennessy, Harry Normington

Missing: Charlie Walker

Legge won the toss and elected to bat on a drying wicket with Normington and Hennessy sent to open. Mr Economy, Steiner (2-0-2-0), opened down the hill with joint leading wicket taker, Mills (2-0-4-0), up the hill. Nice was dominant in the field as the all stars started on top. Coulthard (2-0-7-1) found his range with his first ever KCC wicket, bowling Hennessy (5) after narrowly missing a caught and bowled. Alex Newell (2-0-9-0) provided tidy support in tandem. 28-1 off 8.

Legge gave the nod to press on from the sidelines with depth in the hutch, and Newell and Normington duly obliged. Normington (25) finding his range and retiring with a standing ovation and hitting 217 runs for the season. Stolworthy kept up the momentum, working the field neatly, with Healey (2-0-8-0) keeping a check on the scoring.

Nice, captured the prize wicket of Newell (9), removing the bails on the second bounce. Brown came to the crease and pressed on, with the onlookers noting Tuckwell was looking sluggish in the field unable to prevent a procession of boundaries. Wilson and Messham both bowled tidily, under pressure, as the legends reached 87-2 with 3 overs to play.

Stolworthy (23) came within 2 of the second retirement of the innings, but was run out at the non-strikers end after smart work from Cairns and Mills. But was safe in the knowledge of surpassing 100 runs for the season. Palmer came in for the final 2 deliveries as the innings concluded very respectably on 101 for 3.

A quick turn round saw Healey and Nice straight into the firing line but wasted no time using the pace of Palmer (2-0-11-0) and Brown (2-0-7-0) Nice (7), in full flow, had already grounded Legge with a couple of edges through the slip cordon, but was undone returning for a second run. Unfortunately for Nice, Newell was on the end of the chase and fired to Hennessy, with the bails removed and Nice a yard out.

Rock (2-0-4-1) and Normington (2-0-2-0) then firmly swung the momentum into the legends favour - Rock claiming the key wicket of Healey (14) on the second bounce. 26-2 off 8.

Oscar Brown impressed with some tremendous leg breakers, fresh from the garden, but it was his partner bowler Baines (2-0-5-1) who created the moment of the match. Coulthard, who had already spread the field, sent another bomb comfortably over midwicket. Normington, spotting a half chance, raced round from deep mid wicket and pouched a stunning one handed pick up from around his ankles, much to the dismay of Coulthard (3) 36-3 off 10.

Steiner accelerated the scoring to leave the all stars only 1 run behind, 42-1, at the same stage as the Legends. Walker (2-0-9-2) then spun the match on its head with an excellent first over, first removing Steiner (11) Newell catching at short mid on. Cairns (0) came and went with the same combination effective again.

Shepherd and Mills then put on a show for the crowd, the latter cruising past his highest score with a full repertoire of off side shots. Shepherd (10) hit double figures with some good running but was just out returning for a tight second.

With the Legends score unattainable Brown returned for a final over of leg break and removed Wilson (0), with Palmer safely underneath. Mills looked to launch the final delivery into West Bridgford but found his stumps rearranged - but nevertheless a fantastic personal score of 15, nearly tripling his previous best and finishing with the highest team score. Very well done.

An excellent morning saw Legge's Legends 101-3 victorious by 23 runs with Tuckers' All Stars finishing on 78-8

Amazing turnaround at Bottesford

Did you hear the one about Keyworth being 50-8 and then completing an 80 run victory?! It's no joke thanks to stalwarts Steve Rendu and Rob Baker who put on an undefeated club record 141 for the 9th wicket!

It was a damp start to the day and would have been a good toss to win, but having lost the toss the KCC order succumbed to the Bottesford opening seam attack who took wickets in the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th overs leaving the score at 16-5.

IG and Dale arrived late and were soon scrambling to get their kit on with wickets tumbling. DC was run out for nought when he seemed to have passed the stumps when the bails were taken off. When IG was out for 13 the writing was on the wall, but Bobby and Rocket had other ideas. Bobby was a wall for his first 30 balls, but then he and Steve traded boundary after boundary, with Rocket notching 4 sixes and 8 fours in his 85*, and Rob 4 sixes and 3 fours in his 54*. To go from 50-8 to 191-8 in 20 overs was a superb effort and left the home side totally dejected at tea.

The buffet was a back to basics special that would have benefited from a bit of fruit.

In reply the Millers were up beat and had a good day in the field. The pitch was drying out, so quick and regular wickets were the order of the day. Strongy bowled to order, bagging 3 wickets, and allowed only 15 off his 9 overs.

This allowed the spinners to come on, and for Bobby (3-27) to claim his record number of victims as you may have read lower down this blog.

Bottesford never look likely to knock off the runs, or last out for a draw, and were all out in the 41st over for 109 with Rocket Rendu returning to claim late wickets as he finished on 3-22.

It was an amazing match, and leaves the Millers in fourth place in the bizarre league table that means that any one from 5 clubs can still be relegated in next weeks final match...even Keyworth, who face the already promoted Collingham.

Great Day Forecast For 2020

The weather's set fair for our annual 2020 day on Bank Holiday Monday.

The day starts at 10.30 with a Junior 2020 where coaches Leggy and Tuckers go head-to-head leading their young charges.

Our BBQ, beer tent, tuck shop and history display will be up and running, so arrive early to see the KCC stars of the future.

The adult game will begin from midday onwards.

Spin To Win

A 107 year old bowling record was broken on Saturday.

Left arm spin bowler Rob Baker claimed his 508th wicket on his 295th appearance in the 1st XI for KCC against Bottesford CC, to take him past the career record set by William Lane Pike between 1875 and 1903, of 506 wickets.

To put Bobby's new bowling record into context, during Pike's career, bowlers dominated and a team batting score of over 100 was usually a match winner, contrasting with today when a team score of 250 is not always guaranteed to give victory, though most weeks we'd settle for 100!

Baker (38, age not stones)in all club matches at 1st XI, 2nd XI, Evening & Youth level has so far claimed a total of 629 wickets in a club career of 450 appearances and 31 wickets during this current season. Rumour has it he's bowled over 30,000 overs to achieve this feat.

Pike, a medium pacer, born 14 November 1860, represented Nottinghamshire Colts on several occasions between 1881 and 1888. The “colts” were a selection of the best amateur cricketers in the county at the time. He later coached at Eton School and then emigrated in 1904 to Sasketchewan in Canada where he carried on coaching. He died on 13 August 1938.

The usually bashful and camera shy Bobby posed for snaps that hopefully will appear in all the leading newspapers . Well done!

Kitch Sinks Cotgrave

The Stiffs travelled to local rivals Cotgrave for their last match knowing that a win would seal safety for the season. A loss would leave our fate in the hands of Newstead.

Cowlard was finally playing away from home on a Saturday, but sadly on golf tour in Skeg. Fortunately we had the services of Mervyn Kitchinson for the first time this season.

Ted lost the toss and we batted first. If this was what it was like playing on 'uncovered pitches', then Boycott can shove them where the sun doesn't shine. Drurs was defending his better-than-Bradman average and was over the moon to find a pitch in worse condition than his back lawn. The new ball seamed at right angles and the Chairman and Ern needed pitch mark repairers to cover up all the damage. We rode our luck grinding out 30 off the first 15 overs before Ernie was caught for 15 to top 350 runs for the year.

Ted was defending a better-than-Drurs average having only been dismissed once for the Stiffs this year. The veteran pair soon realised that any score over 100 was going to be competitive and eeked out 30 more runs before Drurs was tamely caught and bowled for 31 to end on 658 league runs for the season. Duncan Disorderly was LBW in the same over and we were wobbling at 68-3 at the end of the 30th.

Kitcho finally got the chance to knock in his new bat, and played the innings of the match, finishing unbeaten on 45 with some lusty slogs. Ted played the anchorman also ending on 45 to finish with a season's average of 169 for the Stiffs. 142-3 at half time was competitive.

Tea was above average, Wensleydale and cranberry wraps were just pipped by home made Indian samosas.

The Cotgrave openers chanced their arms from the outset and raced to 30 without loss making a mockery of the stodgy pitch. Then Drurs used go-go-gadget arms at mid off to catch the dangerous Richard Wells for 21 off Liam to spark a dramatic collapse. Kitch hit the stumps three times, and Liam took two more, as we reduced Cotgrave to 40-7.

Both bowled their 12 over allotment straight through; Kitch 3-21 and Liam 4-45, to end as leading wicket taker for the season on 25.

Our fielding was splendid throughout with barely a misfield. Drurs took three catches, Liam two, while See-Soar and Duncan made great stops. The fielding point though went to Sam Nice for some fine saves, a direct hit, and a swirling catch that for once did come out of the sun - with the added pressure of Dad Paul taking notes on the sidelines!

A decent 8th wicket stand threatened briefly but Ted 2-24 soon snuffed out the danger, and then The Boss clean bowled us to victory by 24 runs, to see us to safety

A Game at Last!

The first match for nearly a month saw the 13s travel to Mapperley Top, to face Gedling Colliery, on Tuesday night. Yes there has been a break in the rain this week, although it might not seem like it!

A familiar feel with Normington, Steiner and Healey back from their jollies to team up with Nice, Newell, Coulthard, Stolworthy, Hennessy, Brown, Blacklock and Kitching. Legge in the middle.Tuckwell in another remotely operated scorebox and plenty of spectators.

Normington won the toss and elected to bat and left with sound advice ringing in the ears. Be aggressive... but don't get out. Look for quick singles... but don't give you're wicket away. Keep the scoreboard ticking...but see off the straight ball. Don't get out but we want lots of runs etc etc.

Nice (2) succumbed to an excellent catch in the covers during the 2nd over as a tight line and length restricted the total to 13-1 off 4. 14 off the next 2, thanks to some hard running and hitting by Normington and strong offside work from Newell, saw the score catapult.

With the pair motoring nicely, Newell (9) played round a straight one. 33 - 2 off 8.

Healey played patiently and had to be on his toes with Normington pushing for runs at every opportunity. The partnership reached 16 before the skipper (22) was bowled by the spinner. 49-2 off 14.

Coulthard immediately spread the field with some majestic stroke play. One lofty shot over mid on was then dwarfed by a monster, that nearly carried for 6 on a long leg side boundary. Doing exactly as instructed Coulthard (14) fell for his top score of the year - caught excellently at fly slip. On another day it would have gone for 4 Josh!

Stolworthy strode to the crease with Gedling change bowlers certainly on top. 60-3 with 18 balls to go. 8 runs followed by 6 runs left a total of 80 a possibility, with the final over to play. The pair unleashed some carnage - 3 boundaries, 2 wides and a no ball contributing to an excellent haul of 19 and a final total of 93-4 off 20. Healey (19*) and Stolworthy (9*)

Steiner (3-1-3-0) opened up in a determined fashion, arrowing his left armers into the burly openers. Brown (3-0-12-1) was in miserly fashion at the other end with Nice taking an exceptional diving catch at cover point, to take him joint top of the wickets taken charts with Mills. 16-1 off 6

Sensing the need to accelerate, Gedling set after the bowling. Kitching got his first wicket for the 13s - the number 3 walking 4 strips to the right before flapping one straight to Healey in the covers - before remonstrating with the home umpire for not giving a wide, if only you'd have left it... 36-2 off 9

Unfortunately this led to an even burlier youth. The two at the crease certainly wouldn't win any awards for footwork, but raw power saw boundary after boundary being dispatched.

With the opener retiring on 35* after an excellent knock, clubber II entered the picture. Healey was brought on to reduce the flow of runs, and did so, but, Gedling cantered home with 3 overs to spare. 95 for 2 off 17

A good practice in fine surrounds.

Weekend Washout

With the Stiffs home game falling to an early morning pitch inspection, all eyes were focused on the First Team trip to Long Whatton.

Sadly this also proved to be wash out.

Cowlard was still smarting from Leggy's dropped catch last weekend, and had been to John Lewis to look for a solution for his butter-fingered friend.

Basement Battle

The Stiffs travelled to Woodborough for a relegation dog-fight, a little fearful, after the heaviest loss in KCC history against Hucknall the week before. Despite the Firsts being called off for rain, we stuck with the side on paper, which saw the return of old hands Ernie, Boom and Drurs, and a rare trip out of NG12 for AC.

Cowlard won a valuable toss and we bowled in a match reduced to 40 overs a side. The veteran Woodborough openers soon showed that batting was going to be a struggle on a pitch made of plasticine, limping to 40 off the first 15 overs. Liam replaced AC and picked up both openers with catches by Ernie and AC, in a spell of 2-35 off his 10 overs. Leggy bowled his 10 overs straight through for just 24 runs.

Our fielding was the usual mixture of good, bad and ridiculous, with Leggy contributing to all three categories. The Boss took a routine catch at extra cover, only for Cowlard to be no-balled. Three balls later saw the exact same chance, only this time Leggy reprised his 'come on down, the Price is Right' hand waving dance, shelling the sitter. The Boss peered through his sunglasses claiming the sun was in his eyes, despite a thick black shower cloud covering most of north Notts. Cowlard was not impressed immediately swapping Leggy with fine leg: "... go down there until you can learn to behave properly!".

The middle order were struggling with orthodox shots, but were much more effective with slogs and smears, peppering the cow corner boundaries. AC's blood boiled further when a clean bowled was ruled out for another no ball, but fortunately a legal delivery hit the stumps next ball, to finish with 1-42 off his 10 overs. Boom (2-52) took a couple of late wickets as Woodborough reached 167-5 at the break off 40 overs, 20-30 more than we'd budgeted for. Paul and Ernie shared the fielding point: Paul for conceding just 4 byes, and Ernie for a horizontal swallow dive of which Tom Daley would have approved.

Tea sadly failed to deliver, arriving late, and lacking any kind of salad. Jumbo scotch eggs were the exception.

In reply the pitch now looked like an end of day par 3 golf tee, littered with divots. This was a grit-your-teeth and play forward day, and Ern and Drurs took a few blows for the team grinding out a 50 partnership. The change bowlers were easier to play and we milked singles to reach 100 in the 25th over. The 29th over sealed the contest, going for 23 as Drurs surprised even himself with two slogs over mid wicket for six into the adjoining ploughed field.

The veteran pair reached 150 for the 2nd time this year, before Ernie was finally caught for a splendid 52. The curse of batting at no.3 struck Dale, who was reaching for Leggy's Savlon to treat a nasty dose of pad rash, and was predictably caught 2nd ball for 0. Ted settled nerves, and Drurs hit the winning runs with a six over square leg, to end in the 90's ..... or so he thought, until a recount found he'd made 104!

A fine win, and a great team effort. 17 points lifts us out of the relegation zone.

KCC GOLF DAY 2010

Date: Thursday 2nd September 2010
Venue: Cotgrave Golf Course, The Open
Tee Reserved: 1.04 - 2.34
Cost: £25
Including: Bacon roll & Coffee or tea on arrival, Chef's Pie and Chips afterwards

Teams of 4: with the best 2 stableford scores counting on each hole - 3 to count on holes 4, 11, 15 and 18

Prizes for the winning quartet and Runners Up. Also, nearest the pin on the 5th and 10th, with the longest drive on 13.

Contact Simon Tuckwell to enter your team.

Pakistan Revisited

Fantastic work by Tinno, Bobby, Tuckers and Leggy meant that we were able to field 22 players for the weekend, but both sides were weakened through injuries and holidays.

After a week at the Salman Butt school of captaincy, Tinno had prepared for the game in typical Keyworth fashion, spending Friday night in the 5 star accommodation of his Vauxhall Corsa. This had clearly affected his thinking at the toss; as the strategy of bat-first-Keyworth was lacking one major factor..... Iggy. Not that Bomber would have fancied opening up on a damp, green pitch that seamed from the off.

At 3-3 after 3 overs the plan had badly backfired with Tinno (0), Bailey (1) and Rocket (0) all back in the hutch. We lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter; Drurs (4), Bobby (2), Beakey (11). Tuckers (11) was most unlucky to be run out at the non striker's end, and Duncan (5) couldn't repeat his heroics of last week.

We were struggling to beat Pakistan's dismal 72 until Kitcho bought some relief at no.10, smashing 3 x 4's and a massive six into the gardens, in a quickfire 18.

Amid all the carnage Jay Vickers had batted beautifully, facing 117 balls in nearly 3 hours, his 34 being worth at least double. He was last man out, with Day Hiller 6 n/o as we limped to 118 all out in the 40th over.

Tea was better than expected; highlights being 3 types of melon, the rare use of brown bread north of the river, and old skool chocolate marshmallows.

In reply the pitch had dried and flattened out from a combination of the sun and light roller. Rocket seamed the ball beautifully but couldn't find the edge, while Kitch pitched a bit short, and the visitors reached 50 without loss.

Spin twins Baker and Hiller bowled very tightly and with 50 more runs might have made a game of it. Rob returned great figures of 4-28 off 15 overs, Day 1-19 off 8. But the scoreboard was never under pressure with less than 2 an over required throughout and Kimberley eased home for the loss of 6 wickets.

Our fielding was splendid and heads never went down; Tuckers demonstrated an exemplary long barrier, but Bails took the fielding point for a great diving stop on the boundary that almost sliced him in half as he crashed into plastic chairs.

District Reps

This seasons form of Tom Newell and Joe Nice has not been unoticed as they were both selected for the Under 13 Newark Representative side to face and all star Nottingham Rep XI, on Tuesday. Not bad for Under 12s!

Joe Nice and Tom Newell - their first steps to a successful future.

A 36 over match ensued at Bingham, with both boys doing themselves proud. The Nottinghamshire XI batted first on an unpredictable and uneven pitch and found themselves 100 all out in the 28th over.

An excellent run out from Newell the highlight of the innings, destroying the stumps from midwicket with a direct hit.

With 101 needed for victory Nice found himself in early at Number 3 and settled in comfortably with 13 before tea. Unaccustomed to this break Joe found himself bowled second ball after, but a good performance. Newell hit two excellent scoring shots before playing on from the spin of Plumtree's Carter, for 6 - but another good showing.

The Newark boys ripped up the form book with an excellent 2 wicket victory with 3 overs to spare, on all accounts batting and bowling with more application and patience.

An excellent debut saw both selected for Friday's match at Caythorpe. With Newell unavailable Isaac Brown gets his chance after another excellent season for Keyworth.

All smiles for the camera. You should hear them on match day. You open,. I don't want to. Well I don't. You open. I'm not opening. I did it last time. Leggy said I could go 3...

Congratulations boys. Very well deserved for your hard work and application

Kings of Spin

The 13s, and friends, set off to Flintham, on Tuesday, for a midweek friendly. Stolworthy and Coulthard had returned from a camping trip to join Hennessy, Mills and Brown as the recognised 13s. Kitching and Cairns joined the district pair of Newell and Nice to form the 12s contigent, while the 11s of Blacklock and Burns made the 11.

Back row - C. Legge, T. Kitching, J. Cairns, J. Coulthard, I. Brown, P. Hennessy, S. Tuckwell

Front Row - O. Burns, J. Nice, T. Blacklock, H. Stolworthy, T. Newell, G. Mills

Mills won the toss as the batting line up was shuffled. Coulthard and Stolworthy opened up with licence to stay there all game. In one ear out the other for Coulthard, who tried to bludgeon the 2nd ball of the innings into Newark with a 'Jon Dalyesque' golf swing. With 8 on the board Josh fell to a slow straight one in the 3rd over.

Brown was looking to surpass his top score of 9, rarely having the chance to bat freely, but showing on Sunday plenty of promise with fine footwork and shot making.

A superb 54 run partnership was amassed before Stolworthy (24), with his highest score to date, was bowled, but left the field beaming with his performance.

Brown was joined at 4 with his fellow tail ender, Mills. Mills crashed a lovely 4 through the covers to double his highest score, and receive more cash - £2 for boundaries - can't be bad! With 28 scored in 6 overs Mills (6) was undone by a slower delivery, leaving the whippet of Hennessy to try and get Brown to the holy grail of the 35 not out mark.

Some great running was not quite enough as a leg bye proved decisive, leaving Brown (34*) one short, but comfortably his highest score and a very, very impressive innings, from the usual number 10 - not any more!

The Keyworth innings concluded on 93-3 as the platter of cookies were devoured.

Tom Newell - with the Legge School of consumption

Jack Cairns - There's nothing behind my back honest, I'm an athlete...

Blacklock took the gloves as the overs were to be shared round. The current King of Spin, Kitching (2-1-2-0), carried on where he left off on Sunday - The batsman looking to launch it off his legs before quickly being straightened up. Usual gloveman, Hennessy (2-0-8-0) showed his versatility with a tidy spell.

Second change saw more spin from Burns and Nice. Burns (2-2-0-1) bowled superbly with a proud Mum looking on, and removing the off stump of the opener for his first Keyworth wicket. Nice (2-1-2-0) mixed up some flight as the squeeze was firmly applied 12-1 off 8.

Ellerton, on district duty with Nice and Newell, swung the bat at number 3, with Cairns (2-0-16-0) and Coulthard (2-0-11-0) on the recieving end in otherwise tidy spells. 34-1 off 12.

Similar to Sunday, Newell made it happen in his second over (. w . ro w .) The first removed the dangerman's, Ellerton's, leg stump who petulantly returned to the pavilion. Then, an outstanding piece of fielding from Brown at midwicket. The ball was picked up with back to the non strikers wicket, turn, spin, settle then fired flat and hard. The little number 4's legs were going as fast as they could but the stumps were destroyed before the bat was grounded. Just a wicket, a catch and a maiden for the full house then Isaac...

The delivery after, found Hennessy in the covers who had the unfamiliar task of catching without gloves on, but made no mistake, leaving Newell with excellent figures of 2-1-3-2.

Brown had the task of finishing up and kept in the spin theme, putting into practice the hours of flippy leg breakers spent in the garden with dad, Richard, and brother, Oscar. An unplayable maiden (one off the list) was served up first. Over 20 had 4 dots and a single, before a top edge saw Nice scampering behind at slip to take an excellent over the head catch to cap a memorable day for himself and definitely the man of the moment, Brown. Flintham 69-4

A special mention for Tom Blacklock behind, the stumps, who took everything that was bowled at him, showing excellent technique.

Another terrific. The game played in a super spirit and the boys doing themselves and the club proud - again!

Performance of the Season

A superb morning unfolded against the potential Nottingham League Champions, away at Wollaton. With the holiday season in full swing it was a terrific club effort for the performance of the season. Hennessy, Brown and Mills the only recognised 13's were joined by the Under 12's of Newell, Cairns, Nice and Kitching, Under 11's of Cox, Devenney and Wilson and an Under 10 in the form of Hefter.

Wollaton won the toss and elected to bat as each of the Keyworth boys put their hats in the ring for 2 overs each.

The Wollaton top order got off to a flier racking up 36 off the opening 4 overs but Mills made the break through with his first ball, to put him top of the wickets taken charts, courtesy of a smart catch from Cairns at square leg.

63 was reached at the halfway stage before the youth - youth policy firmly applied the handbrake. Kitching bowled a magnificent 2 over spell of unplayable leg break, for the first time this season consistently pitching on leg and ripping across off.

Young Ben Wilson (2-0-7-0) followed with another terrific spell before wicket number 2 arrived courtesy of some excellent fielding. The ball was fired to Kitching at mid-on. Having being accused on the sidelines of lame running a second was chanced. The ball found Newell near the stumps who flicked the ball towards the wicket, removing the bails with the number 3 a yard out.

Newell caused more carnage in his second over, the opener, racing along on 31, picked out Wilson at cover who took the catch of the day: pouching one competently over his shoulder. The final delivery found Cox who arrowed into Hennessy who removed the bails with the number 4 stranded.

Devenney was straight in the mix with spin the order of the day. The ever reliable Brown taking a excellent catch at square leg. Cairns was miserly at the other end (2-1-2-0)

The youngest duo of the day, Hefter and Cox, were entrusted with the final 4 overs, with the Wollaton bench getting frought that 100 was not yet in sight. Hennessy took a smart leg side catch off Hefter before Cox produced a superb opening over leaving Dad £10 out of pocket, apparently £5 a wicket the going rate! The first found Cairns for his second catch of the day. The second clean bowling the number 9, leaving Wollaton on 100-8.

Nice was in aggressive mood, but gloved one second ball, bringing Newell to the crease earlier than expected. With a buffet of extras being served up Newell made hay with a full repertoire of shots leaving the homeside in disarray. The ball was kept within the main striker bowlers and it was to prove decisive as Newell (26) played round a straight one. 44-2 off 8.

Devenney (0) followed in the next over, with Hennessy (2) the over after 51-4 off 10.

Brown (9) was elevated to number 5 and played some crashing drives to the boundary before missing a straight one. A batsman yet young man.

Cairns, out of touch, was partnered by Hefter, with 41 required in 8 overs. Some excellent running and some fantastic late cuts kept the score ticking over and Wollaton's title hopes in tatters. It was all too much for the managers son who let rip towards the balcony with a frustrated tirade as Leggy could only chuckle on.

16 were required off 3 as the the strike bowlers were brought back on, leaving 9 off the final over. A quality last over ensured that Wollaton were the victors, as Cairns (20*) and Hefter (5*) finished with a 33 run unbeaten partnership. 93-5

A fantastic performance that all involved with should be very proud.

Drunken Display

Ted was away on a KCC strength and conditioning programme eating pizza and red wine in Italy, otherwise we had the normal motley crew for the visit of Lambley 1sts.

NG12 Cowlard lost the toss and we batted first on a wicket damp from heavy overnight rain. Lambley's young Afghan Express was all over the place, with two long stops in place, and pitched but three balls on the stumps during his opening spell, but all were too quick for Drurs (0), Paul Lay (0) and AC (12), all predictably bowled.

Ernie was having a charmed life, seeing three sitters dropped on his way to 38 before being bowled by the first change. Phil Dearden's bat wasn't in tune after a short break and perished soon after for 1, and at 83-5 we were grateful for a glut of extras.

What followed probably surprised even Duncan and Liam as they put on a brilliant 114 for the 6th wicket. Liam showed that a good night's sleep was over-rated, having crept in at 6.30am, well after Leggy's pre-match pitch inspection, and soon forgot about his toothache, on the way to a fine 40. Duncan meanwhile showed that his bat, due to be put on Cowlard's bonfire at the end of the season, did have a middle, hitting 12 boundaries in a fantastic unbeaten 66, his highest ever score. And all this in front of his young lady, and more importantly, Club Statto Barry, who was purring that this was the highest 6th wicket partnership ever for the Stiffs.

Leggy had been counting down the balls left in the Afghan Express's second spell, with regular trips to the gents, and was taking no chances should he called on to bat. Happily he went in to face the slower bowlers and hit a quick 5.

See Soar ended on 1 not out as we made 206-7 off 45 overs. This was far better than we could have hoped for, but helped by at least 10 dropped catches.

Tea had been eagerly anticipated as Cowlard Outside Caterers had been given the gig. And didn't disappoint with prawn cobs and chocolate log among the many highlights, though the spaghetti carbonara was the highlight for the KCC fatties.

In reply we let ourselves down with regular dropped catches, on a pitch that had dried out to the normal KCC featherbed. AC and Liam bowled well but without luck. It was left to Jack Palmer to make the first breakthrough. After years of idolising Leggy and queueing patiently for the Boss's autograph after play, it was ironic but predictable that Jonty should spill a simple catch at point of Jacko's 2nd ball. Happily Leggy visualised the next ball as a custard doughnut and took a replica catch, at the 2nd attempt. Junior Sticky bowled his 6 overs for just 26 for a fine debut.

Our ground fielding was good, with Sam Nice and See Soar doing fine work, but elsewhere catches went down regularly and allowed a third wicket partnership of over 100. We nipped in with a few late wickets and put ourselves in the game with 24 needed off the last 6 overs.

The tense silence was broken by the boorish chants of legends Baker and Ladd staggering up Nottingham Road after a day on the lash at the Test. Poor old Dimps didn't need to call for the DRS, as the pished-up pair gave a running commentary on every ball! Seven were needed off the last over, but the Lambley skipper played a couple of good slices to the short third man boundary and we lost with a ball to go. Leggy returned to the top of the wicket taking charts with 2-54, Cowlard took 1-41 and Liam 1-44.