Fixtures & Results

ARNOLD-NOTTS AMS - Sunday 18th April 2010

Match report by Smudger

The start of another season, either our 49th or 50th, no-one seems to be quite sure, and it was off to Goosedale for a match against Notts and Arnold Amateurs. Despite the ban on air travel, all that could be heard at the ground was the sound of aeroplanes courtesy of the neighbouring model aeroplane enthusiasts on what was a sunny but rather chilly day. I’m not quite sure if Paul genuinely won the toss or whether he just did his usual negotiating but we batted first and he and Jamie padded up with Ady on standby for the number 3 position as Ian was running a bit late. Understandable though as he lives at least half a mile from the ground.

 

Paul didn’t last too long unfortunately as he chopped one onto his stumps in the third over and was out for only two. Ian had arrived by this time so went in first drop but Jamie was soon departed with one that kept low and hit him pretty much bang in front. Umpire Benno didn’t hesitate in raising the finger of doom, leading to suggestions that Jamie was not one of his fantasy team selections.

 

Ady joined Ian and the pair put on 120 in 27 overs with Ian first to reach his fifty. Ady completed his half century shortly afterwards and in fine style with a reverse sweep. Now, I can’t remember such a shot in the club’s history and certainly not one played with such aplomb, the ball racing to the boundary. Wickets soon began to fall though with Ady first to go, followed by Ian next over. Bradley made a useful 15 not out and we finished on 165 for 6 off our 40.

 

Tea was taken in a somewhat crowded pavilion with more footballers around than cricketers and it was a good deal cooler when we went out to field. Before a ball had even been bowled, Benno staked an early claim for the boob award when he took a bit of a tumble on the artificial practicing his bowling. It certainly reminded me of his little fall at Sherwood Colliery all those years ago, but without the run up.

 

He dusted himself down sufficiently enough to open the bowling with the vicar (Richard apparently declining the first over of the season after what happened at Long Whatton last season) and Benno took a wicket in his first over before going on to claim three in his three spells. N and AA made a fair go of it but a quick three wickets in two overs spell from Rich and myself plus wickets for Danny and Paul led to our hosts falling 22 runs short.

 

Paul’s wicket was notable as the most accurate club records suggest that it was his 100th wicket for the club. It was taken in typical fashion with a big pie sent down invitingly to the batsman who danced down the wicket and missed it completely, allowing Ady enough time to read the latest Wisden before removing the bails. After the match, Paul reckoned that it worked out at about three wickets per season although he did say that he didn’t get a bowl until he became captain. Safe to say the previous captain missed a trick there.

 

The final mention must go to Bradley who capped an impressive performance with a direct hit run out reminiscent of Derek Randall in his pomp.

 

For the record, here’s Paul’s career bowling figures.

 

291.5 overs, 7 maidens, 1704 runs, 100 wickets, average 17.04.

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