2005 Season - Loughborough Carillion - 2005/08/14
Paul writes:
A dull day and a thoroughly wet strip from Saturdays down pours saw their Captain insert us when tails failed. At 16 for 2 with Mark & myself dispatched, by the more than dubious actioned opening bowler, the decision seemed a good one. When the next wicket fell at 157, it seemed a bad one.
In between Nick posted a stylish, but workmanlike 107 and Ian a belligerent 68. Crossy benefitied from a series of dropped catches, that at times beggared belief. Smudger & I had a good view of proceedings as both sides were umpireless and we stood in charge from the 16th over to the 40th. Every other over at square leg I assessed my best ever DCC side of the last 28 seasons � this will be posted on the website shortly. But I can tell you the two batters I stood and watched put on 141 are both in it.
When one of their fielders finally hung on to a catch, Richard came in and made a chirpy 13, before we closed on 206-5.
The test match and a good tea were partaken, before we trudged out for the inevitable. Smudger bowled a treat with the wind taking 2 for 22, that�s 2 for 22 and Mick fought his way into the wind, bemoaning his luck, but ultimately ending up with 1-29. Guest Andy Highton chipped in with 2-28, but the star with the ball was Rich, who came up trumps with a handy spell of 5-1-14-3.
Their skipper posted himself down the order (a clear strategy to keep himself safely away from our new ball quicks). On viewing Smudge and the Vicar with ten paces of run up between them he may have chastised himself for being over cautious. When he did come in I tested Bradley with him and I was very pleased to see him hold his line and length under fire and more than the odd boundary. Great learning curve and good attitude and what should have been the reward of their Captains wicket, when one of his expansive smacks looped high to cow corner only for Andy Highton to go hands, knees, floor with the ball. Bradley again showed good character, something sadly lacking from his father, in those types of circumstances!
Somewhere in all this Spenno took two very nice catches with the gloves on and looked very tidy indeed. But unfortunately the gloveless Crossy only got a finger to a lusty blow to mid wicket. Enough to fracture it and end his season. A real shame as he was heading for a bumper run total year....and a bit extreme for average maintenance. However a real result for Emma who started re-writing the job list that Ian can now get on with the next few Sundays. Unlucky mate.
Their score crept up and with their Captain in full flow, bowling options thin and everyone eager for a pint, I came out of retirement again for a few grenades, which also gave me the classic figures of 2-22 and their innings ended at 172..
Sadly the aforementioned pint was not to be with draught beer off sale�.something that our ensemble at the AGM will have to consider very seriously as this hideous crime could throw doubt on even the best of fixtures.