Saturday 31st
May
Welbeck
Colliery III 197 for 5 (46 overs) [16 pts]
Thoresby
Colliery II 86 for 6 (46 overs) [4pts]
Thoresby’s
return to action after no fixture last weekend proved a tough one against a
strong Welbeck side. In addition, Thoresby had lost Brian Woods to a torn
hamstring, Alan Wilkinson to 1st team duty, Russ Marson to illness
and Chris Mitchell to the opposition!
On a stiflingly warm afternoon (Australian readers please note, anything over 15°c is warm, above 20°c is very warm, beyond 25°c unbearable!) there was no doubt that Welbeck would bat if they won the toss. Robbie duly obliged and Jeppo and Hutchinson opened against the experienced and talented pairing of Sills and Fox. Although bowling well, Thoresby were on the back foot as both batsmen were getting full value for any aggressive shots, the ball speeding across the razored outfield. However, Hutchy in particular found an excellent line and length and began to frustrate, Sills being tied down well. Jeppo needed a rest and Stu Evans replaced him with his variations of swing.
Thoresby
needed a wicket as Welbeck neared 70; it came in unorthodox style. Paul Fox
attempted to pull Hutchy (never the easiest thing to do!) and spooned the ball
over mid wicket. Halfpenny, backpedalling, managed to drop the catch but
immediately picked up the rebound and sprinted to the bowler’s end where he ran
out Sills who had been backing up. Then, three balls later, Evans caught Fox low
down as he drove through mid on. This brought the brothers Herbert (Nasher and
Nogger) to the wicket together. Nasher played some quality shots, one in
particular over mid off from the bowling of Evans, but eventually was undone
c&b by Lippeatt who had replaced
In reply, I’m afraid it was a bore draw. Thoresby lost Evans, caught at the wicket in the second over to the jagging away-cutters of Hunt. Jamie Jepson swished around but was caught spooning one up to cover off the same bowler. John Rossington struck a lovely boundary but then tried to turn one from off stump and was bowled by the accurate Zubic. Meanwhile, Halfpenny had dropped anchor and was set for the long haul. Ben Marson, making a welcome return to Bassetlaw action after his broken finger, played well but was then c&b by Sills. Ian Godfrey came to the wicket and looked most comfortable. By now there was little chance of Thoresby achieving any batting bonus points (again, for Aussie/NZ/SA readers, 120=1pt, 140=2, 160=3, 180=4) and the naggingly accurate Hunt was replaced by wild-card Mitchell. He was played easily, but acting-captain Sills brought in the field and Godfrey ran down the wicket and popped one up to cover. Bowler Mitchell was immediately off on a lap of honour, signing autographs along the way.
This
brought the carefree Lippeatt to the wicket, with advice to Halfpenny like “You just stop here while I have ago!”
Whether Billy could have won the game singlehanded in the last eight overs is
still up for discussion. However, glory was to be denied him in circumstances
that must rank among the most disgraceful in the history of Thoresby cricket.
After his marathon, entertaining and cavalier knock (1run, 3 balls) Billy was cruelly out lbw TO A GIRL BOWLER. The
fact that he played across a straight ball hitting middle stump was no excuse
for the umpire making this dreadful error. Skipper
We didn’t lose and they didn’t win. That’s about all you can say for it!