Duffield started this match in the relegation zone, coming off the back of no win in 4. Not since attaining 27 points against Selston on the second weekend of the season had Duffield managed a positive result, and Spondon were looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

From the side that lost at West Hallam, Duffield welcomed back Richard Fry, Adam Short and Robin Stevenson, who replaced Robert Scattergood, Richard Stevenson and Phil Jones. A glorious day, allowed for a truly great game of cricket. Duffield urged skipper Ed Sims to go out and toss, and for the first time in 7 games, he actually won it. A great result already, as another failure would surely had seen him on the receiving end of a shoeing!!! However, there was still a suprise as he elected to bat first. Game on.

Mark Antill, who must be a contender for the Monsters of Cricket match, and Ed Sims took to the crease, looking to make a positive start. However, it wasnt long before Spondon's Australian import Chris Mills (no, not he of Centre FM fame and Duffield number 4), took the wicket of Antill. The umpire at square leg did well to avoid the backward retreatment of the Ant, though the waft of the willow ensured the ball was directed straight to the fielder at gully. Poor start.

Enter Kris Elliot, a man on a mission, a man who has yet to live up to his pre-season billing. This however was his chance. He and Ed Sims took the fight to Spondon. Sims was out however shortly after, not able to maintain his crease occupation sessions of previous weeks, and Duffield's Chris Mills came in on the back of an impressive 30 against West Hallam the previous week. So we had Chris Mills, bowling against Chris Mills, a rare event indeed!!

However it was Lee Fox who had the ginger one returning to the pavillion, harshly adjudged LBW, especially as the consensus was it was beautifully timed into the pad. The umpire, even apologised at the drinks interval for the poor decision. A first there too!!! So it was down to Richard Fry and Kris Elliot, at 30-3, to rescue Duffield from another poor start. And rescue us they did. Arch scored a timely 25, and Kris managed to keep the score ticking over. Arch was then spectacularly caught at square leg, and Ian Hadfield entered the frey, looking to be as positive as possible. A six into the trees, and some luck as he was put down twice, saw him through to a quick fire 20. The overs were running out now, and Carrazedo and Elliot looked to up the run rate. Elliot then fell to one that kept low, as he tried to put the bowler into the Meadow. A useful 37 from out Aussie friend. Carrazedo played an array of attacking strokes, looking to dominate the bowling. A hook, a cover drive and a sweep all found the fence, but he was soon to go, as he tried to hit another one into the trees, only to be deceived by the lack of pace. Short and Robin Stevenson then combined to add a run a ball 20 to the score, though Short also misjudged a slower ball, and sent one down mid on's throat. Nicholls, followed first ball, LBW, and it was down to new Duffield gardener Rich Jordan and Robin Stevenson, to take Duffield to a competitive 177-9. Robin ending up on 19 not out.

So Duffield's highest score of the season meant that there was something to defend. The tea spread was superb, on what was a hot day, the juice and tea flowed, and Shortie even managed to get a prawn wrap for the first time this season. Duffield were further buoyed by the presence of Niki Mitchell and her good man Surp. Though their early departure may have been somewhat premature.

Duffield buoyed by Simsy pre-innings talk, of "we can do this, right, we bowl properly, right, nice and straight, right, the ball will go through the top, right, catches win matches, right...etc" spurred Duffield, and the early breakthrough was essential. It didnt take long in coming. Though it wasnt wicket machine Nicholls, but none other than Mark Antill, who trapped the Spondon opener LBW. The pressure was on Spondon, but Duffield's never say die attitude kept them in the game. Tight bowling from Antill, and Nicholls made it hard for the Spondon batsmen to find any great rhythm, and Ed Sims claimed the second wicket. Though with Spondon at 133-2 chasing 178, with 15 overs remaining, it looked like a certain win for the men down the A52. Cometh the man, cometh the moment. Richard Jordan was introduced to the proceedings, and responded with miserly bowling and picking up valuable wickets. From 133-2, Spondon found themselves at 145-5. Instead of milking the singles, they were intent of trying to hit the accurate bowling out of the ground. Then a suicide run, trying to run 3, Kris Elliot fizzed one in from the boundary right over the stumps, and the batsmen was well short. So 150-6, then the pressure was really on. Ed Sims, bowling with great control and Richard Jordan, flighting the ball superbly, caused all sorts of problems. The atmosphere was intense, as quite a crowd gathered to witness this comeback. Duffield had to stay calm, and build the pressure slowly. 4 wickets from Sims, and 3 from Jordan saw Spondon at 160-9, they needed 18 from 2 overs. The last man for Spondon, was Australian Chris Mills, who had returned from his sightseeing trip to Duffield village, with his admittedly very attractive young lady. Playing for the draw was never on his mind, and a couple of shots down the ground, indicated his intent. However, his first ball from Jordan, was to be his last. His eyes lit up, and an almighty blow, looked at first to be heading out of the ground and for 6. Kris Elliot was under it though, and in what seemed like an age, he plucked it, clean as you like. Duffield were raptuous, a truly remarkable comeback, inspired by Sims and Jordan, although a tremendous team spirit was displayed throughout. 27 points for Duffield for the second time this season, has moved them 18 points clear of the bottom two.

A jubilant Duffield side let the beers flow, despite the warnings of June Antill, who suggested that everyone was tucked up in bed by 11, as there was a big cup match the following day against Ticknall. But it was to the regular Duffield haunt, the White Hart, followed by some grooving in SodaBar which was ultimately the choice of the players. Mr Hadfield in particular making his first appearance in Derby for 5 years, although if he wears that lime green shirt again, it could well be his last with his teammates.

So to the tottie meter. As mentioned before, Spondons Chris Mills provided a rather fetching piece of eye candy, which registered immensely on the tottie meter. One of Shortie Hareem, now a regular at the Meadow, also guaranteed action for the tottie meter. Andreia Carrazedo with pot-painting mum made an appearance, and of course on a beautiful summer day, there were plenty of dog walkers, and picnicers to peruse out on the surrounds. A great day all round.