Duffield 164 all out
Shipley Hall 165-7

Those of you expecting an amusing match report from Dickie Stevenson this week, will be disappointed yet again, as the curly locked one, decided not to play this week. Having favoured a weekend at the Badminton Horse Trials last weekend, this week he decided that a night watching his beloved Justin Timberlake was too great an opportunity to miss and the whites remain firmly stashed under his girlfriends right thumb!!!!

Anyhow, Duffield were boosted by the return of Phil Jones who had started the season in suberb form. Carrazedo came in for Antill, who was in the second team. No pre-match worries for Duffield as Short and wing-man Elliot decided on a few quiet bevvies in Sobers, however the pool table encounter between the Southern Hemisphere (Kris Elliot, Gary Myers and friend Grant!), versus the Nothern Hemisphere (Adam Short, Ed Sims and Chris Mills) proved to be quite a epic encounter, with the Southern Hemisphere narrowly winning 2-1.

On arrival at Shipley, the outlook was rather bleak, the clouds were dark, and light drizzle welcomed the Duffield team. Ed Sims was able to distribute the new Duffield team shirt, complete with Viceroy logo and new "Bouncy castle" club logo. Amazingly Ed Sims once again managed to lose the toss (4 out of 4!!!), and Duffield were asked to post a score for the fourth consecutive match. Phil Jordan and Ed Sims opened the batting, and despite the pre-match rumours surrounding Mr Ahmed, I dont think even they were quite prepared for the run-up that greeted Mr Ahmed's first delivery. At least 30 yards from the crease, and with the keeper standing another pitch length back, the Duffield batsmen took guard, eagerly watched by their team-mates from the boundary. In came mr Ahmed first ball, sure enough it was banged in Short, Jordan tried to hook him into the shed, though could only glove him down to fine leg. Sims was next to face the pace. First ball, a huge shout for LBW, turned down.

Despite having 4 hours intensive practice during the week Mr Ahmed was still having problems with his run up and was warned twice by the umpire for running down the wicket. It wasnt long however before he claimed his first wicket. A searing yorker, that Jordan stood no chance with, and the poles were down. For the second week running, Jordan was back in the shed by 1.35!!! Kris Elliot was next to the crease, how would he fare against the pace??? The response was good from Duffield, Elliot was positive from one end, and Sims was chipping in with some valuable runs. These two progressed the score to 50-1 from 14 overs before the rain came, and the players came off. After the break, Duffield were looking to these two to start again, and build on the starts they had made. Kris Elliot was looking in good touch, a couple of straight fours and a cut four progressed him to 23, before Ahmed, speared one in, and Elliot, playing down the wrong line, was greeted with the death rattle. Enter Phil Jones, who had been in good form this season. 3 balls later however, and it was all over for him. Ahmed the man again, bowling him comprehensively. Duffield were teetering now at 70-3. Vice-captain Richard Fry joined his skipper Ed Sims and these two played with determination and skills to progress the score to 97, before taking a suicide single, Ahmed threw the stumps down, leaving captain Ed Sims short of his ground by a foot or two. Ed made 35, his top score of the season so far. Ian Hadfield was next in, and he played solidly. Mr Ahmed was taking a well earned rest and, the spin of Zac Hussain was employed by the Shipley Hall captain Mark Starr.

Richard Fry, was playing a patient innings, though he found the runs difficult to come by, the dismissal of Fry, bowled by Hussain brought in the all-round talents of Adam Short, though he was back in the shed soon after nicking one behind from Hussain. Carrazedo was then at the crease, and proceeded to play with freedom and an array of attacking shots. Two big sixes in consecutive balls from the Shipley bowler, who was later described as the Deer Hunter due to his bandana wearing exploits, was followed by a sweet drive from Mr Ahmed, although Carrazedo later admitted he didnt see it.

Rain once again took the players off, and tea was taken. Top marks to Shipley, a great tea....plenty of cobs, salads, rice, fruit salad for desert and copious amounts of tea always go down well with the Duffield lads. Duffield were further boosted by the arrival of John and Si Rhodes. This was soon followed by the arrival of another Duffield legend Balraj Johal, who came to support his former team as Sawley didnt have a match.

After tea, Duffield failed to find their rhythm. Carrazedo fell victim LBW to Zac Hussain for 27, and Hadfield was another to fall victim to the pace of Ahmed caught behind. Nicholls was ousted stumped off Hussain, and despite a few lusty blows, Jordan was the last man out, LBW to Ahmed. It is easy to see why people have been talking about Ahmed. He is quick, and on his day, it is inevitable that he will go through a few sides this summer. He took 5-45, with Zac Hussain taking 4 from the other end. So Duffield ended up with 164, their top score of the season so far.

A quick change around, and the Duffield bowlers were looking to get stuck into the Shipley batsmen from the off. The Shipley Hall openers however took to the bowling, and Elliot, who has struggled with the ball this season so far, was replaced after just 4 overs. Nicholls wasnt getting too much joy the other end either. Sims came on for Elliot, and his first over went for 18!!! Duffield needed something, and Sims called to the golden arm, Adam Short. However the Shipley batsmen blew a sigh of relief when the rain came, to save them from the seering pace of Short, just as he was marking his run up out. This time the rain was persistant. The players were off the field for nearly 45 minutes. This meant that the match was now a timed match.

Shipley were 83-0, and needed to score a further 82 from 17 overs, that were permitted in the last hour. Nicholls and Sims were employed to bowl these, and much better spells of bowling saw the removal of Starr LBW. This brought to the crease Tanvir Ahmed. He had to wait for his first ball, but when he did receive it, he smashed it hard and flat, but straight into the hands of Kris Elliot at deep long on. Shipley 2 down. Nicholls persisted with his line and length bowling, and he accounted for a couple more wickets, including that of Zac Hussain. The light was becoming progressively worse now, and the atmosphere at the ground was intense. Shipley having been 93-0 found themselves 140-5, with just 5 overs remaining. Nicholls claimed another wicket, as did Sims, and Shipley required 9 runs from 9 balls with 3 wickets in hand. The match was being played in virtual darkness, though the umpires decided to carry on. The next ball was nicked for four, which swung the match in Shipley's favour. So three required from the final over to be bowled by Sims. Shipley managed to drop the ball down and run the three singles required to win the match.

A close encounter which was played in a great spirit. Many people had written Duffield off before this match, but they showed that they play with a lot of passion, and can rise to the occasion. The match finished at 8.50pm and any chances of getting back to Eyes Meadow for the Chilli and potatoes were scuppered due to the late finish. So a quick one at Shipley, and back to Duffield and to our favourite watering hole the White Hart.

Shipley dissapointed in the tottie readings. Our two away matches so far, at Selston and Shipley leaves Selston still on top of the tottie league. The tottie meter didnt see much action on Saturday night either, with a unexpectedly quiet night in Derby. Not even the presence of Paul Lynn and his extreme acquisition talents could sway the tottie meter. As mentioned last week, no details surrounding the night will be disclosed, to find out you have to be out. Although a word of warning......make sure you dont invite out someone you might like, as no doubt the smooth talking yap from one of the Duffield Drink Culture will leave you empty handed!!!!! Until next week, home against Ticknall!!!

Saturdays's Results

Related Links:
League Tables
Duffield 1st XI Fixtures
Duffield Squad Members