DCCL Division 3 North - 17th May 2003

Chesterfield 
Clay Cross 61-4

Clay Cross (5 points) drew with Chesterfield (7 points) Match Abandoned

F*****n In The Bushes
Clay Cross' first visit to The Queens Park Oval for many years saw some prolonged scoring at the crease as the tail wagged, in what experienced players could only refer to as F***in in the Bushes. After protracted investigations from Dring, Harland, Branson, Miller, Greenhalgh, Bravo, Nottingham, Ogden, Else and Carley these suspicions could only be confirmed as the intrepid 10 made their excuses and left after 5 minutes reconnaissance. 

Lemon refused to get involved and steadfastly remained in the middle.

Stumped
A tremendous effort was made to ensure that the game started at the scheduled time. Given the fact the game was almost cancelled at 11.00 due to a waterlogged square a remarkable turn of events saw eyebrows raised as the stump holes need watering so the stumps could actually go in. Luckily nobody was injured as Steve Nottingham applied his full bodyweight to the stumps to ensure a promptish start.

Masterplan
Chesterfield skipper Rob Plested won the toss and instituted the masterplan inviting the visitors to bat in overcast conditions on a green-tinged pitch. Plested took the new ball with David Bacon. With the Clay Cross team in position on the balcony, openers, Paul Lemon and Steve Nottingham responded with a cautious start punctuated by one exquisite on drive from Nottingham. Not long after he had egg on his face when another slice at Bacon was snaffled at mid off by Plested.

Where Did It All Go Wrong?
Steve Else joined Lemon and they were lucky not to lose a further wicket when involved in a mix up going for a third run. Else pulled one four off Plested but was undone when attempting to whip the ball behind square leg, Andy McCarroll taking a good catch. With Else left wondering where it all went wrong the score had reached 23-2 after 10 overs. 

Clay Cross captain, Richard Greenhalgh, arrived at the crease and immediately set about the bowling, cracking some lovely shots through the field. At the other end Paul Lemon remained steady until perishing in the 13th over for a patient 15.

Unplugged
Ian Miller helped Greenhalgh push the score to 61 before the latter, having reached 23, was deceived by a quicker ball from Dave Slater. Dring came to the crease in a steady drizzle, survived 3 balls and then trooped off with the rest of the players. Ian Miller was 12 not out. Only 21 overs had been bowled. Clay Cross had reached 61-4 and no further play was possible as the umpires finally pulled the plug. Chesterfield gained two bonus points to add to the 5 points awarded when no result is possible. The Cross claimed the statutory 5.This seemed only fair given the quality of the tea provided. 

Cigarettes and Alcohol
Arsenal v Southampton offered little consolation and a few questions remained unanswered from the day as the players aquiesced and reminisced over cigarettes and alcohol.............................

1 Who were those kids on the pavilion steps?
2 Who ate all the crisps?
3 Why does it always rain on me?
4 Who decided to go to the Anchor?
5 How did the Tachemeister smash such a quick hundred?

Champagne (Supanova) Moment 
With very little to go on Gabby claims the prize for arriving at tea with a slightly dirty shirt, having appeared to have accomplished a Klinsman style celebration on the outfield

The Oak Legend of Gold (Wo)Man of The Match 
There is little doubt who provided the most noteworthy performance of the day and she wasn't from The Cross

Quote of the Day 
'It's raining outside and I don't think she'll want to get her hair wet'