Friendly South Wingfield v Clay Cross Sunday 27 April 2003

Clay Cross Wing In
Clay Cross introduced had a few new faces in the team for the trip to South Wingfield in what proved to be a competitive and enjoyable game.

On a Promise
The home side batted first and found scoring difficult at the outset against the accurate bowling of Rick Oades and Mark Harland. Dave Spolding came on as first change and soon had Tranter caught and bowled from a leading edge. The scoring rate accelerated with two left handers at the crease and Hardwick reached 50 before he was bowled by Harland. As with Rick Oades, Andy Ogden showed promise on his first outing for the club and the team will benefit from the acquisition of both players. They will not always a) drop a catch and get dismissed first ball or b) get dismissed for a single !! 

Farmer Macgregor Blasts Out The Rabbits
The innings continued to gather momentum. With the introduction of the 'wily campaigner' Darrell Dring wickets began to fall and he ended the innings with two wickets in the last two balls, finishing with four in all. A hat-trick ball awaits the veteran on his reappearance.

Lemon Wobbles against Jelley
A total of 173 appeared even more challenging when Clay Cross found themselves 5-2 against the new ball pair of Jelley and Briggs. Acting captain, Paul Lemon was expertly caught one-handed at second slip by Hardwick in the first over and Oades soon followed.

Dent and Nottingham Make Hay as Miller Prospers
Chris Dent and Steve Nottingham set about repairing the damage and put together a fine partnership just shy of 100 before the latter was out for 68. Ian Miller continued the good work and his 54 not out, together with support from Dring, eventually saw the team comfortably achieve the target. Chris Dent batted patiently for his 27 and will have benefitted from the experience. 

Treasure Chest
The team enjoyed a few beers in the South Wingfield clubhouse before a few stalwarts went back to The Oak to clean up in the quiz. Yes boys, it was 1982 when Erica Roe bared her considerable chest to the Twickenham crowd !!

The Oak Legend of Gold, Man of The Match
Steve Nottingham rolled back the years with a memorable knock and exemplary wicket keeping

Champagne Moment
Darryll Dring performing a Brucie Forsyth clenched fist on knee, having taken his first wicket of the season