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With the rest of the team getting a few rays, two of the team were seen to slip via the back door, for a liquid lunch. However, approval of the skipper was obtained, which in hindsight was an omen. To reveal the identity of these tea loving gentlemen would evidently expose my source, but if I was to describe them as one seen at many a bar and the other as he who walks with shaped banana, it shouldnt be that hard. (So to Speak!)
The skipper went to the wicket full of the joys, expecting to lose the toss. Sure enough he did. However, what really surprised him was that Duffield were asked to bat. Field during the hottest part of the day? Are you mad! Obviously Elvaston were.
Bill Gates and the Attitude Kid opened up the batting. Both started to put bat to ball in a fashion not so different to that of Courtney Walsh and Devon Malcolm. But after a multitude of cavalier swipes, they managed to trouble the scoreboard.
Unfortunately, just as the score was going at a rate of knots, Bill Gates attempted a fly swat of a shot and was unduly caught. Pete Turner joined the affray, however, the scoring was very slow, with the tottie meter being untroubled, some of the players took to sunbathing. Once the second wicket fell, the resounding sound of appeal and sympathetic claps for the incoming batsmen were the only things that broke the tranquillity.
That was until the seasoned campaigner, no more, stepped into the affray. Elmo strode out to the wicket when Duffield were 88 for 8. Would we reach at least 1 bonus point? Elmos first flash of the bat blazed to the boundary. The crowd stood up. Is this a re-incarnation of a slender Beefy? His next shot was a sensible shot for 1. JW held his end up, doing a true job of keeping the peace when facing Foxy, that tortuous leggie that no one could read. Finally, Elmo showed all his experience with the bat by picking up a beautifully delivered ball, plying its trade towards middle peg, when it was despatched with such style over the bowlers head. Four runs.
Duffield held out to complete their allocated overs for the grand total of 108 for 9. Not much of a target to defend, but you never know.
After a more than undesirable tea, marked as Unsatisfactory by the skipper, 4 sarnies, a piece of cake and a minging cup of tea, we were truly wound up, when Worried Member was late stepping out into the outfield. Were you on the phone?
Elvaston started of at a rate of knots in reaching a target of 108. After an attempted caught and bowled by JW (the first of the season, 1 behind POTY), Elmo did it again.
JW bowled a reasonable delivery on the off stump, D Archer attempted a cut, Elmo positioned at gully, with the agility of the Cat, launched himself to his right. Ball travelling at mach 2, Elmo stuck out his ham fisted mitt, at held onto the ball. Everyone stood in awe of the Beefy re-incarnation. This was truly an unbelievable catch; it would grace any world cup or test match stage. This was the moment, that the 2nds needed, a kick up the behind in the nicest way. My only criticism of the catch was that artistic interpretation would have only warranted 5.2.
Next superstar to turn up was Sicknote Mace. After eating a cream cheese sarnie, so he says, and spending most of the session spewing up on the boundary, he started knocking the timbers down.
In Sicknotes spell of 4 for 13, against useful batting in the form of Burton and Wraith, another catch of momentous proportions was taken Burton hit one towards mid on boundary. Who was under it, only POTY. Everyone resigned to another dropped catch. The bookies odds on POTY were 6 to 1. It appeared as though he had overrun the ball, but with the agility of a true athlete, he adjusted himself, and his stance, and held onto it. It didnt finish there. With the finesse of a circus acrobat, a triple somersault was performed and still held onto the ball. Well done POTY!
If anymore inspiration were required, we would have been in heaven.
As the overs drew to a close, Duffield required 1 wicket for 27 points, in the 44th over young Poyner pulled up on his first delivery. Skipper tells POTY to get ready to turn his arm. PT starts to throw his toys out of his pram. Competition is healthy. To appease PT, Stevo, I think Gonzo is cruel; upsets Sesame St fans, he suggests to POTY that he takes the next over. Inspired captaincy by Stevo. PT, on only his second delivery his tenth man out LBW.
From unlikely beginnings, the 2nds accrued another 27 points. However, the side generally agreed that this was not one of our better batting performances, however, we feel that we can defend or score any amount of runs. Complacency has not set in.
Special mentions in despatches should go to Mace for his 4-13, JW for his continuous pounding of his beat 4-24 and Elmos all round performance of 15 N.O, 1-20 off 10 overs and the greatest catch in Duffield history. Seasoned campaigner no more.
Result
Duffield 108-9
Turner 26
Stevenson, R 22
Saunders 15
Ellis 15 N.O
Elvaston 75 all out
J White 4-24
A Mason 4-13
Afterthought.
Come on down to the Meadow on Saturday, and see the 2nds in action against one of the top sides, Nutbrook. Bound to plenty of steam geeks and tottie.
Related Links:
Duffield vs Staveley 2nds
Dirty Den's April Diary
League Tables
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