DCCL Division 3 North - 24th May 2003

Clay Cross CC Match Ball Sponsor - Cricketal

Clay Cross 110-3 beat
Wirksworth 109 all out (Hosein 48*, Ogden 5-37, Dring 4-17)

Clay Cross (22 points) beat Wirksworth (2 points) by 7 Wickets

Much To Do About Nothing
The sightscreens needed towing / lifting into position and the top boundary had to be brought in so that fielders didn't have to negotiate the Danesmoor swamp. Now that's what I call a warm-up !! To top it all we elected to field ...... just time to get the water in the urn. 

The Long Ball Game?
A tactic oft used by the Wimbledon Crazy Gang made a brief appearance at Clay Cross during the Wirksworth innings. The approach changed when mid-off turned his back on things and the captain instructed his team to play through the midfield in a re-shaped 3-5-2 formation. The days of the 60 yard punt from 1st slip were over !!

Hugh Laurie or an Eddie Stobart Lorry?
The slip cordon, ably led by veterans Dring and Nottingham, discussed a wide range of topics until the partnership was broken when the captain decided to adopt a more defensive 4-4-2 formation. The change was made after Andy Ogden had seen wicket-keeper Greenhalgh take two catches to help reduce Wirksworth to 37-5. 

Recovery
R Hosein (48 not out) and N Doxey (16) led a spirited fightback in a partnership of 45. However, once Doxey was dismissed following a fine catch at point by Paul Lemon, the rest of the innings collapsed against the accurate bowling of Darrell Dring. 

Action Man
Nothing could keep John Green out of the action. The ball followed him everywhere and he was called upon to make several diving stops and some valiant attempts to take some difficult chances that came his way.

Andy Ogden (5-37) and Darrell Dring (4-17) led the way and received fine support from James Carley (1-25) and Jon Branson (0-23) as Wirksworth were bowled out for 109 in the 45th over.

Roll Over Beethoven?
There was brief discussion as to whether the roller should be used between innings. This was quickly curtailed when it was discovered that additional goodies were on offer in the tea-room. 

Lemon Squeezed To Start A Period Of Highs & Lowes
Paul Lemon and Steve Nottingham gave Clay Cross a solid start. The pair had reached 52 before Lemon (21), conscious of the juice still in the pitch, was well caught at slip by K Allen off the bowling of S Lowe. Nottingham (24) soon followed and when Steve Else (4) was bowled by Lowe with the score on 68 there was a glimmer of hope for Wirksworth.

Victory Achieved
Rich Greenhalgh and Ian Miller dug in before playing a range of attacking shots that took the home side to its target with 6 overs to spare.

Unsolved Mysteries
1 Why does everyone ignore the scoreboard? 
2 What was the beer like in the Welfare?
3 Who will wash the pots?


Champagne Moment 
John Green for demanding that the team abandon its long ball approach

The Oak Legend of Gold Man of The Match 
Rich Greenhalgh for his all round contribution just edged out Andy (Stan) Ogden:
- winning the toss
- making the team play through midfield rather than the favoured route one approach 
- taking two catches and one stumping
- steadying the ship and seeing us through to victory