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But yet again the Friday night did not occur without controversy or a few drinks for a couple of the players. However upon arrival everyones thoughts were on the game ahead and how we could manufacture a positive result.
The wicket appeared to be in good condition and the ground was small and fast so runs were definitely on the cards, and after captain Sims won the toss for only the second time this season the Toffs were in the field. From one end it was obvious that the more experienced Mr Hugh Nicholls would wing them down however the problem we have had all season arose once again. That being who would bowl the toss from the other. With Sparky still missing, and Elliot and Sims both chancing their arm earlier in the season and not really succeeding, who be given the chance? Well none other than the legendary Adam Short.
It was quite obvious to us all that there might be some balls disappearing into the meadows and even some short or wide balls being bowled by Shorty whom I might add has not rolled his arm over in a game this year. However he was quite disgruntled when the clothing designer of the year, yes none other than Mr I Hadfield, stood up to him behind the stumps. Well Shorty soon fixed this sending down two deliveries in the first three which appeared to cut, bounce and swing there way past Mr Hadfield all the way to the fence. This of course led to Hadders standing back for the rest of Shorts spell which is where of course Shorty thinks he should have started. Rumour has it though that Hadders had his mind on other things during those first three balls, namely that of which classy shirt he would where out to the local tonight.
Well a reasonable start by both Mr Nicholls and Short with one wicket falling to a short wide delivery by Shorty, and quite comprehensively wrapped up by the Dong at point. After twenty overs captain Simms thought it was time for a change and brought on the slightly weary Elliot from one end and himself from the other. Some good overs went by for the Duffield lads however a couple of chances cost them dearly. One chance to the reinstated Olsen went at least 2 miles in the air, however you would think a 1st team player might at least get more than one finger on it. This incident must have maimed him a little as he proceeded to limp round the ground with a sore finger. So along with another couple of miss catches we let two of the lads from Morton amass 50s (namely Geoff Deane and Matt Meagher). The ozzie lad (Mr Meagher) who I must point out was dropped 3 times did proceed to dispatch his opposing overseas pro well into the distance, and by last reports from the Apollo 15 is still on its way to the moon. Sims and Elliot proceeded to bowl out the innings with both of them claiming three wickets each and leaving Morton 7 wickets down for 203 runs. It must be noted that the one and only Dong who has been reprimanded a couple of times this season for his poor fielding took three very good catches and was heard to once again give the captain a quiet piece of abuse about what he can do with his bat.
This total set by Morton was a target which Duffield were reasonably happy with, and on a good track with small boundaries they were looking for a good chase and hopefully a win. So everyone tucked into a nice spread at tea and on went the attire for second half of the game.
Now I must point out that the one and only Chris Mills has been heard to say he liked facing the first ball of the game as it was often a crap ball which you could have a look at. Now I dont think he would have repeated this saying on his way back to the hut, as his stumps were splattered all over the place first ball of the innings. So once again the ozzie came in within the first five overs of the game and with not many on the board. So looking to rebuild the innings the captain and overseas went about their jobs quietly nudging a few here and there until the captain thought the first slip didnt have enough to eat at tea so thought he might feed him a bit more. He was obviously quite hungry as he snaffled it cleanly with both hands. This left Simms trudging back to the pavilion and one Mr Fry striding to the crease. The first words said 'well what do you reckon Spaff?' in a quiet but positive voice. After a laugh and smile it was back to rebuilding the bad start. A couple of nice shots were played here and there, and also an absolute rip snorter of a bouncer which Mr Fry managed to glove down after sniffing it for a short while. But then Mr Fry apparently played an appalling shot - according to Sarg, and his stumps were too splattered everywhere. But according to everyone else with eyes it was quite a good, fast Yorker. In came Hadders keen to make amends for his many byes. Farming the toss from one end he tucked in to some average bowling dispatching it to all parts of the ground. This if course left the oz to face the pro from Morton winging them down - words were had after the game but the answer from Hadders was simply 'Im the smart one heheheheheheheheh'.
Well a short partnership occurred but Mr Elliot finally ran out of chances and gave backward point a fairly easy chance from a bad ball. In came the in form Carrazedo. Things started to get back on track for Duffield but Hadders tried to paddle a full toss outside leg stump around the corner. The result an easy catch for the man on the boundary. Once again Hadders was heard muttering about which shirt he would wear to the pub instead of concentrating on the game. In and out came Mr Olsen, apparently blaming his injury from the earlier failed attempt at missing a catch for his downfall. In came Short meaning to make amends, but his partner in in the Milk Tray Man tried to dispatch one too many over the boundary and was caught quite easily. Mr Nicholls batted well but the umpire obviously thought Duffields final efforts were in vane as he fired him in what was a very poor LBW decision. In came the last man and the fielder of the day - Dong. Having not been dismissed this season he and Short thought that there was still a chance. Wielding the sword like no-one else can do Dong batted like a man possessed. However once again the umpire was in a rush and judged Mr Short PLUM (fairly harsh considering the bowler was left arm over, it pitched outside leg, was too high, and Short was 2 yards out of the crease). This left Duffield all out for around 130. A far cry from Mortons 203.
Once again a loss for the Toffs, but still plenty of positives on the bowling side. Maybe if the chances had been held the total could have been a lot less. A lot of work to do in the batting department, maybe Mr Fry can start by bringing his own underpants to the game. Well lets move on to next week Duffield and give Lullington a good run for their money.
In terms of the totty meter well is was really quite dismal. A couple of the tea ladies may have registered, and also one of the Morton lads girlfriends. But that was about it. I dont really wish to mention the captains sister as I do hope to play again next week. Well thats it for now, look forward to the next match report.
Related Links:
Duffield 1st XI - 2003
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