Thoresby Colliery 189 -5 (50 overs) [16
pts]
Glapwell 141-8 (50 overs) [5
pts]
Someone above was thinking of those who play cricket last Saturday morning. The weather was perfect. It was warm but not hot. The blue sky was scattered with clouds whilst an unusually enticing aroma drifted across the field. [ed’s comment – was this from the garden centre?] The stage was set for great game.
Thoresby won the toss and elected to bat. The wicket was a little damp and played low and slow. The Glapwell bowling attack relied on accuracy rather than pace. Their bowlers were quite difficult to get away in the opening 15 overs. Martin Cheshire and Nigel Birkett batted with determination. Neither of them wanted to throw their wicket away. Martin compiled a fluent 49 runs. As he walked into the change room he muttered – “Well I’ve just thrown away a hundred….” He was probably right.
Enter Paul Hughes. Hughes’ 72 not out was the highlight of the Thoresby innings as well as the spectacle of the match. What must be noted is that Paul was feeling extremely ill prior to his innings. He had a throat complaint and basically looked as sick as a dog. These symptoms most likely increased his level of concentration. He started cautiously. Taking his time to get a feel for the wicket, the fielders and what the bowlers were doing with the ball. When he was in his 30’s he gave a chance to cover. Luck is a strange thing. He savoured this opportunity and proceeded to demolish the attack. Some might argue that batting is a science while others might suggest it is pure hand eye co ordination. Hughes possessed both these qualities. He endlessly hit the ball into the gap. When he wanted to, he hit the ball over the field – many times clearing the boundary fence. The poor bowlers had no reply. Players and spectators were fortunate to view his display. The final over of the innings was his best. In an effort to obtain a few more sacred runs Hughes smashed their off spin bowler for a six followed by a four followed by a six. When I witness such an act I am convinced that cricket is an art. And there is no greater pleasure than watching a batsman who is ‘on the go’.
Ben Marson joined Hughes towards the end of the innings. Ben’s 19 not out was highly useful to our cause. He played well above his years. With a still head and fast hands, Ben hit through the line of the ball. Showing no fear he mercilessly clubbed the ball to the boundary. However, when needed, he hit the gaps to turn over the strike. With the loss of five wickets we had compiled 189 runs.
Glapwell’s reply was relatively timid. From the opening overs they did not appear to be hungry for runs. Hill and Patel applied early pressure and took a few early wickets. Then they went into their shell. The Glapwell batsmen seemed quite content to play with the straightest of bats, so as to ensure some type of draw.
Pete Scott opened his account for the season. He bowled with good control and variation. His best delivery being an arm ball that was edged and caught behind. Pete finished with 3/39 off 12. Hill was probably another factor in Thoresby’s success [ed’s comment – modest as well as erudite, jono?]. He bowled the ball in line with the stumps and kept it well pitched up. Hill’s figures were 4/30 off 17. Martin Cheshire also deserves mention for his superb wicket. He delivered a ball that started on the line of leg stump. It swung extremely late and hit the top of off. [ed’s comment – did you actually see it swing, or did Chesh just TELL you it did?] Few batsmen in any standard of cricket can play a ball like that. A swinging cricket ball is a joy to watch.
And so the result – a winning draw. Not too bad. However as always there is room for improvement. One major positive would have to be the attitude. On the field there was a heightened intensity. Each game we have the potential to learn something new about the way we play. If we continue to search for ways to improve then there are no limits to our success.
j.c.hill
Other results in
Division 1 (courtesy of Charlie Gwillam)
At Recreation Ground CUCKNEY (5) 181 for 8 (David Newman 113,
Asadullah Butt 5 for 53) lost to CUTTHORPE (18) 183 for 6 (Asadullah Butt 73,
Paul Gurnell 3 for 43) by four wickets
At
At Station Lane FARNSFIELD (17) 205 for 7 (James
Bennett 115, Keith Miller 44, Matthew Makings 3 for 58) drew with BRIDON (6)
157 for 8 (Simon Fenwick 55, Chris Saxelby 33, Mark Silcock 3 for 34, Keith
Miller 4 for 48)
At Stone Close BLIDWORTH (0) 69 all out (Richard
Spurr 8 for 20) lost to
At
|
|
THORESBY COLLIERY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BATSMAN |
|
HOW OUT |
SCORE |
|
BOWLING |
O |
M |
R |
W |
M |
|
ST DRABBLE B HUCKLE |
49 |
|
SAXBY |
11 |
2 |
33 |
0 |
|
|
C TOPHAM B GRAINEY |
12 |
|
BURCUMSHAW |
9 |
2 |
22 |
0 |
P HUGHES |
|
NOT OUT |
72 |
|
HUCKLE |
8 |
2 |
29 |
0 |
P SCOTT |
|
C SAXBY B HUCKLE |
11 |
|
GRAINEY |
10 |
0 |
41 |
0 |
J HILL |
|
LBW B HUCKLE |
5 |
|
T RICHIE |
3 |
0 |
18 |
0 |
|
|
C BURKUMSHAW B HUCKLE |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B MARSON |
|
NOT OUT |
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
R |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J EDGAR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D EVANS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S DICKENS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXTRAS |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
189 |
5 |
WKTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GLAPWELL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BATSMAN |
|
HOW OUT |
SCORE |
|
BOWLING |
O |
M |
R |
W |
R DAVIDSON |
|
B HILL |
3 |
|
|
9 |
3 |
27 |
0 |
L TOPHAM |
|
C HUGHES B SCOTT |
27 |
|
J HILL |
17 |
5 |
30 |
4 |
D GRAINEY |
|
B HILL |
5 |
|
P SCOTT |
12 |
3 |
39 |
3 |
A SMITH |
|
C BIRKETT B SCOTT |
32 |
|
D EVANS |
8 |
1 |
25 |
0 |
M HUCKLE |
|
LBW B SCOTT |
0 |
|
M |
4 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
C WOOD |
|
B |
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
AS SMITH |
|
NOT OUT |
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N BURCUMSHAW |
|
LBW B HILL |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
G SAXBY |
|
LBW B HILL |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
P DRABBLE |
|
NOT OUT |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
T RICHIE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXTRAS |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
141 |
8 |
WKTS |
|
|
|
|
Robbie’s
Point of View |
Chesh won the toss again and chose to bat first on a warm pleasant day.
Scorer Dougie was busy identifying former Notts and England A star Andy
Pick out as the dangerman and he pointed him out to newcomers Hill and Scott
saying ‘Watch out for him he is class and played for Notts for years!! Age
seems to have caught up with Pick though as his once golden Blond hair has
turned black!! On top of that after 30 years in the game he has amazingly
decided to change from batting left handed to right handed!! And seems to have
changed his name by ‘deed poll’ to Saxby!!!!!
Oh Dougie!!
Anyway “Pick” and Bircumshaw opened up bowling tightly on a green wicket, Chesh
was striking the odd trademark boundary while to call Nige’s batting ‘Stodgy’
would be an understatement!! To be fair Nige stuck at it and a useful 60
run opening partnership came to fruition before Chesh departed for a good 49.
This bought Paul ‘Hansie’ Hughes to the crease, there came the one real quality
innings of the afternoon, he was dropped once but other than that he was the
only player on show who ever batted with complete fluency, ‘Tuffers’ had
replaced Nige and after a couple of decent shots he was caught, amazingly
Tuffers didn’t move, what was the problem? Had his cravat slipped and tightened
around his throat? Was he hoping the umpire hadn’t noticed the thick edge
that went to wide gully?
In truth he was disappointed with himself for getting out and personally I
think it good that it hurts badly to fail, it shows a drive and determination
that we all need to possess.
Jonno scratched around and then eventually middled one and was out LBW!
Young Ben then joined Paul and added a match winning partnership of 60 in the
last 12 overs with sensible cricket and good running.
A 180 plus score was always going to be too much for Glapwell, Jonno was
swinging the ball prodigiously and picked up early wickets and after a tight
spell by Saylesh, Tuffers joined the party picking up 3 wickets, the fielding
was of a higher standard than the previous week and there was much for
intensity from everyone.
Eventually Glapwell shut up shop and despite the best attempts of 5 bowlers (Oh
Chat where were you when we needed you) a young girl showed the best
application of all the Glapwell players and defied Thoresby the 20 points.
Positives were Chesh/Paul and Ben’s batting, good spells by Jonno and Pete and
a good all round team display.
Negatives were no new additions to the ‘Duck League’ although predictably Billy
Lippeatt had notched one for the 2nds to keep the scoreboard moving!!
Robbie
PS: I will be returning to my rightful place in the 2nds this week so for all
the people who enjoy Jonno’s ‘Higher end of the Market’ match reports rather
than my ‘Sunday Sport Gutter press’ they will be spared from my match reports
this week.