Those of you expecting another chapter from the Kris Elliot 'War and Peace' novel, I regret to tell you; his ramblings have been replaced by a far more considered version of events from yours truly. War and Peace incidentally, would be an apt name for such a novel describing events from Duffield - Belper Meadows matches in recent years.
On a blistering hot summers day, Duffield realised that they hadnt really made their visitors feel at home last weekend in the Cup, so the committee decided this weekend, to make a real effort for the arrival of the Belper lads, and organised a carnival on the Meadow for them. It was more like playing at Bridgetown than Eyes Meadow. We had karaoke, and live brass bands, and also the infamous Yes-No game for them to try their hand at, as they waited to grace the crease. Skipper Sims once again won the toss and asked the Belper lads to bat first on what looked like a good wicket.
Duffield had a near full strength squad to select from, with Jones coming back in to replace Carrazedo from the cup match. Sims took the opportunity to bring down his camera and take a few mug shots of the Duffield lads, as they nervously awaited the start of the big match. Fry was particularly disappointed with Sims decision to take his photo, as he failed to have the normal 5 hours grooming time to prepare his wig. Duffield soon had Belper in trouble. Nicholls, who had not picked up too many wickets of late, had the Belper opener trapped LBW, Harold Rhodes had no hesitation in sending him back. Phil Jordan made his bowling return from the pavilion end, and despite taking a few overs to settle into his rhythm, he too picked up an early wicket, removing the dangerous Halliday LBW. To say he was disgruntled with the decision, would be putting it mildly. So Belper were two down for not many. Nicholls was bowling with tremendous control, and the Belper batsmen struggled to score runs from the evergreen Duffield opener. Australian Jack Smith, was still in for Belper, and was looking to build a substantial innings. Once Jordan had bowled his allocated overs, Elliot was brought into the attack. McGonigal tried hard to get off the mark, but he lacked patience and whipped one to Richard Jordan at square leg. Belper now 40-3 from 16 overs.
Nicholls continued to bowl with flair and consistency, while Elliot was sending down his usual bag of allsorts from the Pavilion end (oooooh, nice juicy bit of bait there!!!). Then, a half volley from Elliot, was driven fiercely to Sims who was fielding in the covers. His impression of a performing seal, attempting to catch a nice piece of cod between his flippers, was impressive. Smith was out, caught at the eighth time of asking. So Belper now in deep trouble, 53-4, with Smith having scored 34. Hadders so far had managed to keep out of trouble. His usual wicket taking ramblings were still there though. "relax boys, relax, lets enjoy this, this is what we're here for....hehehehehehe...relax", soon followed by almost an almost instantaneous "no f***ing ones, if your on one, you stop one....wa***rs". Belper managed to build from here. King, carried on from where he left off the previous week, and managed to move the score on to 90 before trying to work Elliot for one too many, and he too was caught at square leg by Jordan. Sims, who had bowled so well for the last fortnight, struggled to trouble the batsmen, and his 10 overs went for 43. Nicholls was now taking a well-earned rest having bowled 15 overs, one for 24. Tremendous youth.
Elliot claimed his fourth wicket, caught by Hadfield behind the stumps. Carl Parkin had now entered proceedings and looked to up the run rate substantially. Last week in the pub, Dong and Shortie had discussed the best catchers at Duffield, Shortie, rather hastily commented that he had never seen Chris Mills drop one. Well, the stage was set....Parkin tried to hit Sims into the Millennium meadow, only to sky one. Who was under it??? Chris Mills...dropped. To make matters worse, the feat was repeated two overs later. The same scenario, he fumbled the first attempt, it spilled out, he caught it again, only to fall over the boundary, six runs. Shortie, could be seen eating a huge piece of humble pie at cover point. We had been entertained by the Deer Hunter at Shipley earlier in the season, this time, we were entertained by the Bunny Hunter. Richard Jordan, came on to replace Elliot who had taken 4-62 in his 15 overs. He accounted for the Belper number 8, second ball, having him stumped. Then James Cox soon followed suit, trying to launch Jordan into the railway track, only to look round and see his off stump clattered. Parkin too tried to do the same, however Robin Stevenson hadnt caught the Mills disease, and clung on to the catch. So Belper finished up on 170-9, with Jordan claiming 3-10 in his 3 overs.
With Sally Bygraves running a stall at the carnival, we had tea prepared by Jenny Mills this week, so no prawn wraps, which I was most disgruntled about, but it was delightful none the less, with a tremendous cake spread. Surely the finest ever seen. A few of the Duffield lads, kept a watchful eye on the adjacent carnival, eagerly tottie spotting.
So Duffields reply was kick started by Hadfield and Sims. Sims having scored 96 against the same opposition last week. Tait opened the bowling, his first ball, he would probably agree was somewhat of a 'loosener'. Hadfield was quickly onto it, and pulled him for 4. The second ball, I guess was also a 'loosener' then, as Hadfield latched onto this one, and pulled him for 6. Hadfield managed to nurdle another single, and maintained the strike. Now Hadders doesnt like to take any prisoners. Cox was given the new ball, his 'loosener', received the very same treatment, dispatched confidently to the rope. Another four in the over followed this. Duffield after 2 overs were 21-0. Sims was playing a very watchful innings at the other end, and decided that he wanted to watch the rest of the team bat from the pavilion, as he edged one behind to the keeper. After his 96 last week, he was out without scoring. Tait picking up the wicket. Hadfield soon followed him, Cox trapping him LBW having scored 20.
This brought our chief biter and overseas Pro Kris Elliot to the crease and he was joined by Phil Jordan. Tait and Cox rallied well, and bowled 7 overs for the loss of only 3 runs. Neither batsmen looked like getting out, though the scoring was slow. Dong and Shortie continued their boundary bowls season. Shortie loosing out, allowing Dong to claw back to 2-2 in the series. We were suitably entertained by James Cox at fine leg though, as he described to us how he cant bowl bouncers on English wickets, and he cant bowl fast unlike in Australia. Then he enquired as to how to get Phil Jordan out, to which his brother replied, 'LBW falling over a straight one is your best bet'. Elliot was out, having scored 32, when he attempted to cut McGonigal, only to edge the ball to the keeper. Phil Jordan was joined by Phil Jones. These two then built up a useful partnership. With the run rate now 5 an over with 15 overs remaining, it was important for these two to see us home. Parkin was bowling straight and accurately from the pavilion end, and Cox returned from the church end. Jordan then having hit a fine four, tried one big hit too many, and was bowled having scored 37. Sims was now panicking on the balcony 'singles, dont they understand, singles.' Jones was batting well, his no-nonsense biffing was eating into the target. He had been joined by Chris Mills now. These two again built on a partnership, and with victory in sight, Jones holed out to mid on. Duffield 165-5 with 2.3 overs remaining. So with six required from 15 balls, victory looked easy. However, Duffield always make things harder than they need to be. Fry scored 3, and was then bowled by Tait. So it was 3 from 12 balls. They only managed 2 runs and still needed one from the last over. Mills was facing it, first ball however, sailed two bounces into the Meadow, Mills finished 33 not out to steer Duffield to their third win of the season.
This was a tremendous game of cricket, played in excellent spirit. The Belper lads, stayed behind for a beer or two as well, and it is believed that no deposits were left in the showers this week, much to the relief of the one-man Shower Patrol Committee.
Now we were treated for tottie this week, as the carnival was in town. Numerous pieces of eye candy, walked past the outfield to claim their goldfish and candyfloss. None however ventured into the grounds of this fine sporting spectacle. Once again we had to rely on the White Hart and then Derbys bright lights to provide us with the joys of summer. Half the season is now complete, and Duffield have surprised everybody with their results. This win takes us above Belper in the league standings, and 33 points clear of the teams in the relegation places. Next up, a visit to Elvaston, where Shortie will be looking to become King of the Castle.
Related Links:
Duffield 1st XI Fixtures
League Tables
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