Stiffs Slip Up

The Seconds almost pulled off an upset at home to table topping Thrumpton. Thanks to John 'The Adonis' Beeton for poking his long lens into the action to provide a guest report and photo.

Bowling first we were well on top reducing the visitors to 41-7 at one stage. We were scuppered by a great rearguard action, and a lightning fast outfield, that allowed Thrumpton to reach 148 all out. Sam Wood (5-33) and Liam Elliott (4-33) took the bowling honours

Ted and Liam Savage opened the innings and both looked in no trouble, the ball finding the middle, but also finding the fielders. Progress was slow with only an occasional boundary when the inner ring was pierced and after 14 overs we only had 25runs on the board, but more importantly no wickets down.

Ted perished without really getting going and Leggy came in. Liam batted well and began to take on the bowling attack. A young spinner came on at the top end and bowled a good line and length, On 20, Liam had a rush of blood, charged a shorter delivery and was smartly stumped. Sam Nice who was umpiring at square leg was unsighted and said so. Liam did the gentlemanly thing and walked, but this was not sufficient for one of the fielders, and some red mist descended on the F of D for the second week in succession.

The match then resumed, with Leggy, in his own agricultural style, carving some quick runs. Then he got a straight one. Enough said!

'One-makes-two' played carefully for a while, then he hit over another straight one and was back in the hutch. The next wicket fell after a juggling act at mid-off. Then Liam E got a straight one and Billy got another.

We fell to 99 all out, a good effort all round from our young side, against a strong opposition.