It was warm and overcast. The gladiators assembled at the Theatre of Dreams in confident mood, in the knowledge of a comfortable lead at the top of the table following the demolition of Castle Donington the previous Sunday. Within minutes the news of a 27-point deduction for the Scooby Doos had whipped through the dressing room. Everyone was asking Bill Gates what it was for, he sited rule 45,871 section C, sub section iiiiiii. Whatever, it was down to the Ant!

What effect would this have on the dressing room? Would the boys bounce back and take out the injustices on the Sawley and Long Eaton outfit? Only time would tell. Stevo ruled himself out of the toss following barracking from PC White, so Den strode out on to the square in purposeful manner, looking every inch the seasoned tosser that he is.

The toss was won and the opposition was put in to bat. Big John (Barry) White opened up from the pavilion end looking to pick up where he had left off last Sunday. What could be said about his spell? If you looked in the wicket column it would not tell the story. In a 9 over burst he had the batsman in his pocket only conceding 3 runs to 2 scoring shots. Big John was becoming increasing frustrated with his lack of wickets and took it out on one of the poor fellows from Long Eaton, digging a short one in and striking the visitors batsman on the side of the face. As the umpire called over John sympathetically collected his jumper and walked off down to 3rd man as the batsman received attention.

In the meantime Mike Poyner was hurling them down from the Church end getting some late out swing, the batsmen again finding it difficult to get anything off the square. Poyner took an early wicket on his way to a 2 wicket haul and praise in the dressing room by Hadders that it was the best performance he had seen the young pretender produce.

Elmo and Mason continued in the same vein as the opening pair. Drinks were taken with Long Eaton still in the 20s after 23 overs with 3 wickets down. Elmo was getting life out of the pitch squaring up one of his victims to be caught in the gully by Westlife wannabe Poyner. Elmo going on to take 4 for 20 odd. Mason was to take 3 wickets in all with some banana like swing bowling. Hadders was in top form making 3 stumpings and being denied a fourth in controversial fashion by the away team umpire. Stood at square leg next to the accused, I was becoming increasingly worried for his safety as Hadders directed his opinions on the decision to the nervous old chap before pacing off in the opposite direction with fielders shouting for Hadders to count to 10!!!!!

Long Eaton made it to 96 all out off the last ball with Poyner scattering the stumps of the rabbit.

Tea was taken and the Totty metre was on fire. They were everywhere, littering the benches like only Totty can. And who was that rather attractive looking lady in the scorers box. Very nice indeed.

Hadders and Windows XP opened and put away the wayward bowling looking extremely comfortable. Then in comical circumstances Denis fired a straight one back at the bowler who got his foot to it deflecting it on to the stumps and running Hadders out after making 23. Pete Turner was next to fall after making it in to double figures. Denis fell in the 40’s and quickly worked out that he had scored a 100 in 2 innings so far this season. Big John was soon back in the pavilion adjudged leg before. That brought Mason to the crease to join captain Stevo. They took their time in getting the remaining dozen or so runs with the vice-captain hitting the winning boundary.

So, with the 27 point deduction yet to be ratified the 2’s sit proudly at the summit of the table with a 15 point lead. Roll on next Saturday.

Related Links:
Duffield 2nd XI Fixtures
Dirty Den's April Diary
League Tables