Since reporting/masterminding the giant killing of MHM, Claudio and Calverton under 15's have played a further 3 games, unfortunately resulting in 2 losses but also a victory, tactically stolen(backed up by some tight bowling!) from the jaws of defeat.
The first of our two losses came at the hands of Cuckney, on what can only be described as a bleak, cold, wet and windy night. Having cancelled a home match the night before due to similar conditions in the interest of the players, spectators and the tinker man himself we ended up having to travel north on this night with a very young and inexperienced side for a reduced overs game. Batting first Cuckney went on the rampage amassing 118-3 off their 15 overs Olly Lees and Ethan Wright picking up a wicket a piece plus a run out, a couple of catches were spilt but this was not a night for fielding. Batting second we reached a respectable 84-4 off our 15 overs Sam Waghorn, Stanley Tatham and in particular Jack Spafford making notable contributions.
Our second loss of the season came at the hands of Papplewick in the cup.... as we all know though Claudio's eyes were only ever on the league! Batting first 93-7 off our 20 overs was always going to be below par against a strong Papp side, with some very miserly bowling and an inability from us to rotate the strike being our downfall. Only Evan Poole (24) and Jack Spafford (23*) towards the end of our innings showing the impetus required. Batting second Papplewick soon chased down the target for the loss of only two wickets with a couple of bowlers particularly being put too the sword.
Our one victory came against Sherwood Colliery on what only can be described as a moist Monday evening, the entire journey there requiring windscreen wipers to help us through the Mansfield murk. For those who decided to make the effort to travel, we arrived in steady rainfall to a greasy but not boggy outfield, it was therefore decided that we would make a start in a reduced 15 overs game. After electing to bat one of Claudio's favoured motto’s being “a quick games a good game” (particularly when its raining) was literally taken to heart by some of the Calverton batsmen, playing all round straight balls, gifting catches and generally not doing themselves justice in reaching a disappointing 60 at the end of our allotted overs, Evan Poole top scoring with 16. Now the author of the piece, not only being a tinker man but also a thinker man had become aware whilst umpiring in the rain that scoring the required runs may not be as easy as Sherwood first anticipated. Emphasising this during a rousing team talk, with particular reference to the slowing outfield and a need to bowl straight but not necessarily fast a tactical decision was made to not open with the express pace of Stanley Tatham.
This reaped early rewards once we took the field with Rhyun Nagur removing Sherwood’s star player well caught at point by Erika Bell for 2. Sherwood did then rebuild and at 30-1 after 7 things weren’t looking good but captain Sam inspirationally tossed the ball to Ethan Wright who proceeded to bowl with remarkable control and accuracy for a leg spinner using what resembled a bar of soap to return with figures of 3-2-7-2. Backed up by Ryder Wyatt and Stanley Tatham and some good fielding wickets began to fall and the pressure began to build 53-4 after 12 overs became 58-5 with one over remaining the excitement was palpable. Stanley off a reduced run up had already bowled with improved control but only requiring 3 to win Sherwood were still in the box seat. Stanley however proceeded to send down some excellent death bowling to finish the game and claim victory with a double wicket maiden.
Certainly a game of two halves, we must improve our batting but the bowlers and the fielders can be proud of their resilience in the field to snatch victory from what seemed a certain loss.
Men/Women of the match- The bowlers and fielders
The first of our two losses came at the hands of Cuckney, on what can only be described as a bleak, cold, wet and windy night. Having cancelled a home match the night before due to similar conditions in the interest of the players, spectators and the tinker man himself we ended up having to travel north on this night with a very young and inexperienced side for a reduced overs game. Batting first Cuckney went on the rampage amassing 118-3 off their 15 overs Olly Lees and Ethan Wright picking up a wicket a piece plus a run out, a couple of catches were spilt but this was not a night for fielding. Batting second we reached a respectable 84-4 off our 15 overs Sam Waghorn, Stanley Tatham and in particular Jack Spafford making notable contributions.
Our second loss of the season came at the hands of Papplewick in the cup.... as we all know though Claudio's eyes were only ever on the league! Batting first 93-7 off our 20 overs was always going to be below par against a strong Papp side, with some very miserly bowling and an inability from us to rotate the strike being our downfall. Only Evan Poole (24) and Jack Spafford (23*) towards the end of our innings showing the impetus required. Batting second Papplewick soon chased down the target for the loss of only two wickets with a couple of bowlers particularly being put too the sword.
Our one victory came against Sherwood Colliery on what only can be described as a moist Monday evening, the entire journey there requiring windscreen wipers to help us through the Mansfield murk. For those who decided to make the effort to travel, we arrived in steady rainfall to a greasy but not boggy outfield, it was therefore decided that we would make a start in a reduced 15 overs game. After electing to bat one of Claudio's favoured motto’s being “a quick games a good game” (particularly when its raining) was literally taken to heart by some of the Calverton batsmen, playing all round straight balls, gifting catches and generally not doing themselves justice in reaching a disappointing 60 at the end of our allotted overs, Evan Poole top scoring with 16. Now the author of the piece, not only being a tinker man but also a thinker man had become aware whilst umpiring in the rain that scoring the required runs may not be as easy as Sherwood first anticipated. Emphasising this during a rousing team talk, with particular reference to the slowing outfield and a need to bowl straight but not necessarily fast a tactical decision was made to not open with the express pace of Stanley Tatham.
This reaped early rewards once we took the field with Rhyun Nagur removing Sherwood’s star player well caught at point by Erika Bell for 2. Sherwood did then rebuild and at 30-1 after 7 things weren’t looking good but captain Sam inspirationally tossed the ball to Ethan Wright who proceeded to bowl with remarkable control and accuracy for a leg spinner using what resembled a bar of soap to return with figures of 3-2-7-2. Backed up by Ryder Wyatt and Stanley Tatham and some good fielding wickets began to fall and the pressure began to build 53-4 after 12 overs became 58-5 with one over remaining the excitement was palpable. Stanley off a reduced run up had already bowled with improved control but only requiring 3 to win Sherwood were still in the box seat. Stanley however proceeded to send down some excellent death bowling to finish the game and claim victory with a double wicket maiden.
Certainly a game of two halves, we must improve our batting but the bowlers and the fielders can be proud of their resilience in the field to snatch victory from what seemed a certain loss.
Men/Women of the match- The bowlers and fielders