DCCL Division 3 North - 30th August 2003

Clay Cross 98 all out (Tee 4-21, Wayne 3-37, Chauhan 3-37)
Darley Abbey 161-9 (Russell 65, Tee 41*, Ogden 3-43, Branson 3-30)

Clay Cross (4 points) lost to Darley Abbey (27 points) by 63 Runs

Greeny's Tool
Further work on the Pigeon Room took place on Saturday morning prior to players arriving at 12 ish. 

Branson, Harland, Miller & Nottingham were the late early birds (!) and made their way with canvas to the Danesmoor end. John Green, brandishing his implement, joined them and the Great Wall of Danesmoor was built !

Games In The Playground
The energetic Dave Greaves arrived next and was all for joining the lads at the Danesmoor End. However he was met with some choice words suggesting that he got his finger out and helped put the screens up at the Welfare End. Although not visibly upset Greaves retreated to the sanctuary of the Dressing Rooms before reappearing and with the assistance of Dring, Lemon and Carley proceeded to make painfully slow progress. Eventually our local painter & decorator, Steve Else ventured out of the Pigeon Room to "sort it out." 

From the top of the ladder he gave us a demonstration of the latest extreme sport. Inspired by 'Jackass' one of his mates made sure that the ladder wasn't too secure, enabling the ladder to slip from underneath him. Else falls to the ground in double quick time, setting a new UK and Commonwealth record. With no other competitors willing to take part Steve was declared the winner of The Whacky Races.

The Darley Abbey team had just arrived and on seeing these dramatic events their scorer revived his first aid skills and helped at the scene. An ambulance was called for and eventually Else was placed in the back. A replacement was called up from the 2nd X1 and John Green set off to pick him up from Cromford. Minutes later the doors opened and out came Steve Else pronouncing himself fit and ready for action !! John Green was contacted, U-turned and duly reappeared. Reports of him "doing a Colin McCrae" have yet to be verified.

Top Track Troubles
The match could only be an anti-climax !! 

Clay Cross won the toss and invited Darley Abbey to bat. Aussie Luke Russell (57) played the major innings receiving rich support from Dave Tee (41 not out) as the visitors reached 161-9 on a challenging pitch. It was noted that the wicket-keeper was "rolling back the years" and how !! He must have forgotten that John Greens (killer) ball is the one fired down leg-side. Branson took 3-30 and Ogden (3-43) gained his usual DET mention. John Green took the key wicket of Russell with his first delivery ... the other one that pitches half-way, surprises the batsman and he dutifully spoons a catch to mid off. 

The home side had a terrible start. Steve Else capped a marvellous day when he was bowled for 0. Lemon and Miller quickly followed and at 11-3 the total looked a long way off. Darley Abbey were able to maintain the pressure and despite a good effort from Greaves (18) the middle order subsided and at 51-8 there was no way back. Hard hitting from Ogden (22) and Green (26) and ticklish 6 not out from Harland pushed the score to 98 before M Chauhan rounded things off when Green was caught at mid on in the 34th over. It would have been better if Green had been bowled as we could have had a nice Chauhan and Gate headline but it was not to be and the match ended in handshakes and headshakes all round.

The umpires gave a delightful demonstration of the calls & signals within the rulebook throughout an eventful day. The highlight being a signal for one short when the ball was disappearing over the square leg boundary. It has to be said this did cause a bit of confusion. It had been that sort of day !!

The 3 Abbey bowlers did a fine job, Chauhan (3-37) provided the spearhead, John Wayne fired the bullets (3-37) and Tee dipped in with (4-21). All received excellent support from the field.

Reflections
It was good to see the Abbey lads in the Oak. The Jepson brothers were in fine form and remained long after the others had gone. They also identified one or two "other stops" on the way back. 

It was also a chance for the Cross boys to lick their wounds ....... there was plenty of them.

Questions
1 Did Dave Greaves actually do anything to get the ground ready?
2. How long did it take Steve Else to fall 15 feet?
3. How vital is Greeny's Tool? 

Champagne Moment 
The signal "one short"

The Oak Legend of Gold Man of The Match 
Steve 'O' Else