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SNCL Division 2F

Wilsons are crowned champions

2nd XI v East Leake II

Saturday 30-August-2003

Wilsons II 137-6 (18 points)

East Leake II 73 all out (2 points)

Wiksons II duly wrapped up the Division 2F title, and finished the season in some style, with a comfortable win over a very mixed East Leake side containing some young players and some very senior players.

The day started in the usual fashion with skipper Les Hardy losing yet another toss and Wilsons were invited to bat on a drying wicket still recovering from the end of week's rain. East Leake skipper Peter Swift and J. Whitchurch opened the bowling and both had the Wilsons openers Jeff Moore and Ray Smithson on the back foot. The new ball was lifting with some venom off a length and survival was definitely the order of the day, especially as only one batting point and a total of 90 off the 40 overs was required to secure the title. With only 21 runs on the board after 15 overs it was plain to see how difficult it was to score runs on that surface.

Jeff Moore eventually holed out and was caught and bowled by Whitchurch for a painstaking 8 runs. Steve Maxey and Ray battled on until the break at 20 overs when the curse of the drink's break struck with both batsmen out immediately after the break. Whitchurch had completed his 10 overs and taken over behind the stumps and he took both catches to dismiss Steve and Ray.

Left-hander Nigel Smith joined Dave Nattrass with both players on nought and with plenty of hard graft still needed. Gradually they built up the score until at 74 (in the 28th over) Nigel was bowled for 7. With the wicket becoming less hostile, Geoff Pook joined Dave and the pair gradually eked out the runs whenever the opportunity arose. Geoff was eventually out for 8 giving John Hall his 3rd wicket. With 32 overs gone Skipper Hardy joined Dave who was now showing the form that has deserted him for much of the season. Dave battled on towards his fifty, scoring 8 fours, and became the cornerstone of the innings. However, when just 1 short of a well deserved fifty, Dave was bowled by the second ball of the last over. Vasim Choudhary hit a few lusty blows to end on 6 not out with Les Hardy 8 not out at the other for a score of 137-6 - grabbing 2 precious batting points and the title.

Although the title was secured, Wilsons wanted to go out in style and win a 14th game of the season. East Leake found batting just as, if not more, difficult as young Tom Moore and Peter Shaw rolled off 5 consecutive maidens. The 1st run was a leg-bye in the 6th over.Tom's opening spell was excellent as he continually beat the bat and collected a series of dot balls. Peter Shaw (last season's leading wicket taker) eventually bowled opener Williams for 2 as a reward for a very good opening spell. This brought in skipper Peter Swift who promptly smashed 3 fours in his first over. Meanwhile, Tom had Brown caught at cover by Vasim Choudhary, with a good low down catch. Tom was taken off after 6 overs - the maximum he is allowed in one spell. His figures reading an amazing 6 overs, 5 maidens, 1 wicket for just 2 runs.

Steve Maxey replaced Tom and grabbed the prize wicket of Peter Swift for 22 as East Leake were reduced to 31-3. Peter Shaw, bowling straight through his 10 overs, bowled Morrisey for 9 and the match was definitely tilting in favour of the home side. Peter finished his spell taking 2-28 whilst Steve bowled Whitchurch for 7.

Vasim Choudhary took over from Peter Shaw and immediately settled in to his line and length. He soon had Whitbread caught at mid-wicket by Nigel Smith and then Jeff Moore made it a good day for the Moore family by taking an excellent catch at mid-off to remove Singh without scoring.

With the end in sight, Tom returned at one end whilst 15 year old debutant Qaiser Khan was brought on to bowl his leg-breaks at the other.Tom struck immediately bowling Brown with a peach of a ball that pitched on leg stump and hit middle and off. Qaiser, in his 2nd over, had Smith caught at short mid-off by Vasim before Tom finished off proceedings in the next over by trapping Saffell LBW leaving East Leake all out for 73 -Wilsons winning by 64 runs and picking up 18 points in the process. Tom Moore was the star of the show with excellent figures of 8.4 overs, 7 maidens, 3 wickets for 2 runs.

The haul of 18 points was reward for a gritty performance in difficult conditions. The performance typified the season's efforts with 5 bowlers taking wickets and all the batsmen making a contribution.

It augurs well for the future that the "fat and bald brigade" have been supplemented by some very promising youngsters. Nadim Ghani, Tom Wilson and Tom Moore clearly have an excellent future. An excellent spirit throughout this season to bounce straight back, as champions, after the disappointment of being relegated the previous season has been the reason why 14 out of 17 games have been won.

Batting:

Jeff Moore 8
Ray Smithson 30
Steve Maxey 6
Nigel Smith 7
Dave Nattrass 49
Geoff Pook 8
Les Hardy 8*
Vasim Choudhary 6*
Peter Shaw DNB
Tom Moore DNB
Qaiser Khan DNB

Extras 15
Total 137-6

Bowling:

Tom Moore 8.4-7-2-3
Peter Shaw 10-3-28-2
Steve Maxey 8-1-16-2
Vasim Choudhary 4-0-12-2
Qaiser Khan 2-0-5-1

Other results at the weekend:

Newstead Abbey & Village III 117-4 (17) beat Long Whatton II 114-9 (2)
Caythorpe IV (No result) Radcliffe on Trent III (unable to raise a side) Lost (-5)
Farndon II 158-9 (19) beat Hucknall III 115 all out (3)
Beeston II 185-9 (19) beat West Bridgford Legion II 127-8 (4)