Week 2 of the SNCL fixtures saw the 1st XI entertain Wollaton at GLA and the 2nds travel to Clifton.
Wollaton had first use of the 'road' at GLA, but thanks to an inspired bowling display backed up by some excellent fielding (including 2 run outs by the 'ageless' John Nester), the innings never really got going. The 'spin twins' were on top form again sending down a total of 32 overs with combined figures of 5-98. With Kyle Welch chipping in with 2-35, Wollaton were bowled out for 168 in the final over of the allotted 48. This total shouldn't really have been much of a problem.......but it was! A combination of factors contrived against the batsman with 4 batsman adjudged LBW and none going on despite getting into double figures meant only Skipper Ryan Evans posting 45, the target of 169 wasn't reached. With the score on 168-7 most folk were ready to 'start the car' however 3 wickets fell without any addition to the score and the game was tied! A tie snatched from the jaws of victory. At least it only cost 3 points as 17 were registered for the dramatic tie, meaning 37 points have now been gleaned from a possible 40.
The 2nds travelled down the Ring Road to pre season promotion favourites Clifton with only 10 men. When Captain Waghorn trudged back from the toss wearing a forlorn look, it became apparent we were fielding first.......oh dear! It didn't take long for our fears to be realised as the Calvo bowlers were put to the sword on a belting batting wicket as the electronic scoreboard threatened to blow a fuse. As the score zoomed past 300 there was very little to enthuse about apart from the wonderful aroma of Garlic Bread emanating from the Pavilion kitchen! The 45th over of the innings provided the only highlight really, bowled by Charlie Bateman. Wickets on consecutive balls saw Charlie on a hat trick, only for the ball to fall agonizingly short of mid on. However, Charlie took another wicket with the next ball to take three in four balls and 'forcing' Clifton into declaring, meaning at least we'd claim maximum bowling points from 3 hours of agony. The Garlic Bread et al was wonderful, softening the blow and making the challenge of chasing 332 seem somewhat irrelevant! Skipper Wagg and the returning Andrew Finch opened up and showed just what a tremendous wicket it was to bat on, putting on 100 for the first wicket in just 18 overs - dare we dream? Well we could, but not for long. When Finchy departed for a brilliant 74 the scoring rate was bound to drop and 180 to maximize all the available batting points became a priority. When Wagg finally perished in the 43rd over for a patient 59, only 2 runs were needed for the 180 target which were achieved with 5 balls remaining. So a 'sound thrashing' was had, but 8 points taken from the game.
MOM's - 1st XI Darren Wright, applied the brakes taking 3-42 from 16 overs.
2nd XI Andrew Finch, hard hitting entertainment!
Wollaton had first use of the 'road' at GLA, but thanks to an inspired bowling display backed up by some excellent fielding (including 2 run outs by the 'ageless' John Nester), the innings never really got going. The 'spin twins' were on top form again sending down a total of 32 overs with combined figures of 5-98. With Kyle Welch chipping in with 2-35, Wollaton were bowled out for 168 in the final over of the allotted 48. This total shouldn't really have been much of a problem.......but it was! A combination of factors contrived against the batsman with 4 batsman adjudged LBW and none going on despite getting into double figures meant only Skipper Ryan Evans posting 45, the target of 169 wasn't reached. With the score on 168-7 most folk were ready to 'start the car' however 3 wickets fell without any addition to the score and the game was tied! A tie snatched from the jaws of victory. At least it only cost 3 points as 17 were registered for the dramatic tie, meaning 37 points have now been gleaned from a possible 40.
The 2nds travelled down the Ring Road to pre season promotion favourites Clifton with only 10 men. When Captain Waghorn trudged back from the toss wearing a forlorn look, it became apparent we were fielding first.......oh dear! It didn't take long for our fears to be realised as the Calvo bowlers were put to the sword on a belting batting wicket as the electronic scoreboard threatened to blow a fuse. As the score zoomed past 300 there was very little to enthuse about apart from the wonderful aroma of Garlic Bread emanating from the Pavilion kitchen! The 45th over of the innings provided the only highlight really, bowled by Charlie Bateman. Wickets on consecutive balls saw Charlie on a hat trick, only for the ball to fall agonizingly short of mid on. However, Charlie took another wicket with the next ball to take three in four balls and 'forcing' Clifton into declaring, meaning at least we'd claim maximum bowling points from 3 hours of agony. The Garlic Bread et al was wonderful, softening the blow and making the challenge of chasing 332 seem somewhat irrelevant! Skipper Wagg and the returning Andrew Finch opened up and showed just what a tremendous wicket it was to bat on, putting on 100 for the first wicket in just 18 overs - dare we dream? Well we could, but not for long. When Finchy departed for a brilliant 74 the scoring rate was bound to drop and 180 to maximize all the available batting points became a priority. When Wagg finally perished in the 43rd over for a patient 59, only 2 runs were needed for the 180 target which were achieved with 5 balls remaining. So a 'sound thrashing' was had, but 8 points taken from the game.
MOM's - 1st XI Darren Wright, applied the brakes taking 3-42 from 16 overs.
2nd XI Andrew Finch, hard hitting entertainment!