Fixtures & Results
BELPER MEADOWS - Sunday 30th May 2010
Match report by Paul Taylor
We’ve been going to Belper for a good many years. It’s a nice place to play cricket and their always a decent bunch of folks.
I decided to insert them for a bat today as our batting seemed atouch slim and they appeared full of youth and looking forward to the game. We had one eye on the tea – always a goodie.
The Smith/Stewardson opening combo saw a steady start, but no wickets. Thus a Brown Dog jnr/PC Gaunt double change after 8 overs was employed. Cue a potential champagne moment, with Andy sending down his first ball for 6 weeks as a juicy full toss. His arm, stiffer than his truncheon. The batter cracked it merrily towards extra cover, whereupon the aptly placed short extra cover fielder, Ian dived down and snaffled the ball with shocking ease and in a jiffy we had our first wicket….albeit fortuitous in the extreme.
Andy has, over many years, used the off stump full bunger to good effect, collecting wickets all round Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire and this was even more satisfying at it turned out to be his nephew. So always got that one in the locker for Christmas get togethers.
Andy collected another wicket and at 43-2 in the 14th we were well placed. Consequently it was a bit of a shock to walk off at 430pm with them having posted 229-5 in their allotted 40. So that 180 odd runs give or take in the last 26. Their number 3 batter called Roe (no fish jokes please……batter…..Roe) made hay while the sun shone, ending up with a fine 148 not out and leaving normally reliable bowlers like Benno with figures to erase from the memory. But due to his poor sock offering at Long whatton I can confirm he went for 58 in 6 overs. All the other bowlers suffered as well. But with one highlight a very nice run out from Richard.
Tea was as good as ever and we perked up on the back of it and began to set our stall out for the run chase. Ady and I went out and after he had ably dealt with the first over, my positive intentions over came me on the first ball outside off stump and I struck it straight down the gullet of the aforementioned Mr Roe at extra cover, who made no mistake and snapped me up.
I was well and truly kippered. I should and cod have done better. I could have gudgeoned it anywhere on the off side. So many gaps to hit my first ball, so many plaices to pick, but there it was….as if in slow motion….a golden duck, trout first ball, caught Roe and I was herring on the inconsolable.
This was however an opportunity for Ian and Ady to develop a partnership and so they did. In fact a very healthy one of 134 in 28 overs, meaning it was 90 odd required in the last 11.
Ian played fantastically well with 15 fours and a six and he secured a terrific century (104) with some powerful leg side blows. Ady’s 41 was the perfect supporting role,
So the stage was set and when Smudger strolled to the wicket I am sure he didn’t truly fancy his chances. But as Bradley, Danny and Spinno departed – all trying to keep the rate moving, Smudger got his sleeves rolled up and was cracking it all over. In fact the partnership with Spinno of 29 was all action and as Dave nipped in with just 5 of those in the four overs it took to compile you can see that here was Smudger at his batting best. All of a sudden the score board was being changed each ball rather than each over and although 228 was a big ask, we heading towards it at pace.
Regrettably we were just one hit short and as Jonny ended at 45 not out and the innings completed at 217-6 in our 40. A great effort!
After I was out I sat in the changing rooms, on my own, with all my kit on for about 20 minutes. Certainly not the cricketer I once was, but then again I’m nearly forty six for goodness sake. I reflected on all the great Dorchester years, my 33 playing years in fact. I thought about where we are now, where we have been and we might go. Not a great time to make a decision after a first ball nought, so I put it to one side. But then I spoke to two senior pro’s – guys like me who have put years and years into the club we love and into the game we love.
I continued to think about my time in the Belper changing rooms and a week after I decided that next year will be my last with DCC. Our 50th year and my 34th.