Healey and Nice send Attenboro' Packing

There wasn’t long to wait for the U14s. Extra correspondence by Legge ensured that Attenborough turned up at the 5th attempt as the 2 sides met for the first time in 3 years.

Nice was called up for a season debut with Machin on school duty. Normington lost the toss and the KCC XI were sent into the field.

A very tidy opening saw the visitors restricted to 16 off the first 5 overs with Healey, in particular, very economical. Brown was unable to make the break through but Healey deservedly struck in his fourth and final over – Shepherd running round neatly at mid off.

Tudor and Steiner were unable to disrupt the number 3 who was busy crafting a tidy innings. However Mills joined the party with his sixth delivery – Hennessy taking the faintest of inside edges.

Attenborough: 59-2 off 12.

The 3rd wicket partnership then began to take full advantage as the KCC ground fielding went AWOL – mis-fields and not attacking the ball were topped by the ball squirming past 3 people backing up!

The number 3 retired after a chanceless 50 before Steiner removed the number 4 – rearranging the stumps. Shepherd was wicket less but bowled excellently at the death: 4-0-24-0 as Attenborough closed on 114 for 3.

Could lightning strike twice?

It looked unlikely as Normington and Hennessy couldn’t get the openers away.

KCC 6-0 off 4
3 successive boundary clouts from Normington got the run rate back on track before he nicked behind chasing a wide one. Hennessy followed in the next over pulling across a straight one.

KCC: 30-2 off 7

Nice and Healey showed restraint for an over before hitting the accelerator. Excellent running and deft touches became the norm as the run rate began to creep up.

58-2 off 12 – 57 off 48.

Healey swung the balance into Keyworth’s advantage in brutal fashion. The opening 4 deliveries of the 13th over going for 4,4,4 then a massive 6 to cow. The Attenborough management were in disbelief as the same bowler was given another by the on field captain and Healey duly cashed in. A final, glorious 6, straight down the ground securing a maiden half century, bringing a tear to Healey Snr eye and a huge round of applause from all watching. A telling 78 run partnership saw the KCC machine on the brink of another victory.

Brown kept Nice on his toes running some highly improbable yet intelligent singles. Nice was fully into his stride with a thoroughly composed innings showing a wide variety shots. The finish line was achieved with 3 overs to spare thanks to a magnificent lofted leg side blow from Nice. The latter finished with an excellent 30* with Brown (5*)

Another tremendous run chase saw another victory as the 14s really stood up to be noticed. The win saw Keyworth take a position at the top of the league among the elite!

Having only ever defeated Ellerslie in the Nottingham League over the last 2 years, Attenborough became the third extra casualty along with Radcliffe and Plumtree. Progress!