Saturday 26^th July

Blidworth II 157-8 (46 overs) [8 pts]

TCCC II 70 -2 (24.5 overs) [9 pts]

Rain

Building to an interesting finale, this game was unfortunately curtailed shortly before 7 o’clock as rain and bad light smothered Edwinstowe.

Skipper Walker won the toss and his decision to field was soon vindicated as Jepson took the wicket of young opener Danny Wilcocks, pocketed by Halfpenny at short leg. Danger man Craig Turton joined his skipper Breedon at the crease and immediately looked dangerous. Playing a selection of shots, mainly to the leg side, a series of boundaries made it hard for Thoresby to build any pressure. The early introduction of Brian Woods’ spin, however, put a brake on the scoring at one end. At the other, after Hutchy’s useful but fruitless spell, Stuart Evans found more movement through the air. So, after racing away to begin with, Blidworth were pulled back to 61-2 at half way, Breedon being taken by another phenomenal Rossington slip catch [ed’s comment - are you reading this, Casey?] off Woody.

Andy Mason had joined Turton and, after his usual early poke around and lofts into the outfield, he began to find more of a settled rhythm to his batting. Turton had become somewhat becalmed and, after surviving one c&b chance off Evans, was not so lucky three overs later as he top edged a sweep off Woody into the grateful hands of a relieved Evans.

Birkett replaced Evans at the bottom end and was unfortunate not to bowl Mason first ball. In a moment of brilliance, skipper Walker brought John “I’ve covered some ground today” Rossington over to mid off and the very next ball Thompson obliged by stroking a lofted drive straight at him. Yet another fantastic catch from Rossington [ed’s comment – can someone please make sure Casey gets a copy of this report?].

Pete Wood joined Mason as the innings drew to a close. These two batted well together, finding the gaps and striking the occasional lusty blow. Mason was eventually bowled by Birkett, Wood similarly by the returning Hutchinson. Two run outs in the final over saw Thoresby claim an extra point; a close stumping was turned down which might have given us the full four.

In all a pleasing bowling performance, reigning Blidworth back well after their good start.

Birkett and Halfpenny opened up for Thoresby against Breedon and Wood. Nige played some corking shots, notching up a few boundaries, before falling to a slower one off Breedon. Halfpenny was his usual circumspect self whilst Ben Marson, at no.3, grafted well against the experience of Wood and then the tricky spin of Turton. The score was steadily building but so was the bank of dark clouds.

Wood eventually had Marson c&b off a leading edge to be replaced by Evans. At half way the scores were very similar with Thoresby, perhaps, slightly having the upper hand. Unfortunately the rain began to fall steadily and the light became very gloomy. After Breedon had stuck one past Halfpenny’s nose the umpire decided to take the players from the pitch. Within two minutes it was throwing it down and that, as they say, was that.

A good game played in a super spirit, with lots of former teammates and pals enjoying the contest. A shame it didn’t get to a conclusion.

[ed’s comment – just two “supposedly humorous” remarks in the report this week for the eagle eyes at the Bassetlaw League to spot. Your answers please, on a postcard, to the usual address, to be received no later than Friday 1^st August.]

[ed’s last comment – that was another one, by the way, so that makes three now]

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