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