Keyworth Six Points

A poor show at the business end of both innings' saw us slump to defeat against Thrumpton, despite a wonderful all round effort from IG.

The Field of Dreams had the feel of a Lowry landscape with grey clouds and biting winds all afternoon. Tinno won the toss and bowled first, mainly to save fielding in sub zero temps after tea. Super scorer Shelley was delighted with our new gazebo, triple sided, and better insulated than a 10 tog duvet.

Tinno was missing regulars Rocket, Bobby and XX Dale, but the investment in our youth policy paid dividends with arthritic 40-somethings Graham, Cowlard and Drury, adding experience if not mobility to the side.

AC and Strongy bowled tight opening spells. On the plus side, Tom took a fine diving catch, and Ben Thompson had a great debut in the field to take the day's fielding award, first quick out of the blocks to create a run out, and then taking a fine swirling catch.

On the other hand, Mr Tuckwell was dishing out 100 lines and detentions for the usual petulance and butter fingered fumbles. Cowlard bowled a head high beamer from which Day Hiller took a sharp diving catch. AC was unhappy at the late no-ball call and half-volleyed the ball over the boundary, lucky to escape with just a glare from Dimps, rather than four overthrows! Day was another to go into the notebook, somehow managing to get three F's into one foul mouthed outburst, for a wide that pitched almost off the square!

Tom was having trouble dealing with Iggy's spitting spinners, and finally lost patience, yelling "for Christ's sake", at the very moment that the Vicar of Keyworth emerged from behind the sightscreen! Tinno was another on the way to Sunday confessional, clearly still with tea time marge on his hands, spilling chances no 4 and 5 of a clumsy early season. Meanwhile, Jay was more agile than Lee Camp tipping an exocet over the boundary for six.

Even so, we had the visitors firmly in check for most of the innings, well on top at 134-5 off 39 overs. Sadly the last six overs went for 73 mainly due to some excellent batting. Still, 209-6 at tea felt a score well within our reach. AC took 2-60, Strongy 2-44, but Iggy was the pick with 1 for just 21 off 12 overs.

Tea was 100% by Tinno and was a fine effort, if lacking a little creative flair. The chicken fajita on french sticks, and fresh pasta with basil infusion were highlights, alongside the more run-of-the-mill Wm Morrisons basics.

Our reply was dominated by another inspired innings from IG. 117 from 95 balls including 7 sixes was a joy to watch, and deserved better.

Sadly the rest of our batters resembled the scorecard of a Eurovision voting jury. Tinno scooped 12 points, but our middle order made less impact than Jedward and the boys from Bluu, mustering just a further 12 between them (Jay 3, Drurs 0, Ben 5, Tom 4). Strongy nipped in with 8 before holing out in the deep. With the rate rising, Bomber was finally out, leaving AC and the tail to limp to 188-9 to at least claim maximum batting points.