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SNCL Division N

2nd XI v Keyworth II

Saturday 5-June-2004

Wilsons II 164-7 (18 points) beat Keyworth II 146-8 (4 points) by 18 runs

Fizzy's 45 and Mark's 3-12 eventually see off Keyworth

After losing the toss (yet again) we were invited to bat as the opposing skipper quite fancied bowling on a rather greenish looking wicket that would dry as the game wore on and would obviously get better as the day progressed.

This proved a wise decision as the new ball seamed alarmingly and the opening bowlers Hallam and Beeton rattled through their overs clearly holding the whip hand. Runs were very hard to come by and Dave and Ray patiently took the score along until with the score on 25 in the 13th over Ray was caught off Hallam for 9.

Vasim was promoted up the order after his recent heroics with the bat with the hope that he could upset the bowlers' rhythm but the only upsetting done was on the furniture as he was bowled behind his legs by Beeton for 1.

Mark and Dave took the score to fifty before a triple disaster occurred. Mark was caught in the deep for 14 to begin a mini slump. Nadeem and Dave were both out caught in the 28th over and we were in the mire at 59-5 and only 17 overs remaining. The wicket was by now playing a bit easier and Fizzy and Les rebuilt the innings with a combination of sensible batting and audacious running. The second string bowlers were not as effective as the openers and a string of wides and byes helped to push the score along. With Fizzy homing in on a well deserved 50 Les ran him out in the 44th over for 45 (his best knock for some time) as the partnership ended on 93 off 15 overs. It was left to Tom and Les to acquire the 3rd bonus point as the innings closed at 164-7 with Les ending up 28 not out.

Keyworth's opening batsmen made a good start especially Drury wjho punished anything loose or full with some excellent cover drives alled to a sound defence. Mark bowled particularly tightly at one end but the quicker bowlers were less economical so skipper Hardy turned to Vasim to see if the brake could be applied. Vasim duly obliged and brought about the breakthrough we so desperately required. It took a good catch at the wicket by Ray to remove Daft for 14.

Mark was replaced by Daoud making his Wilsons' league debut and he picked up the second wicket with number 3 bowled for a duck with a beauty. His obvious joy was a sight to behold and his smile lit up the ground and gave us the boost we needed. However, batting second time round was by now so much easier and Drury was looking to win the match by himself.

Vasim picked up his second wicket with Dave taking a acatch at mid-on as the remaining Keyworth batsmen failed to offer any support for Drury. Mark returned and promptly bowled Baldrey for 1. Nadeem then caught and bowled Burton for 2 and a smart run out executed by Tom got rid of Hardy for 2 as panic set in. With wickets tumbling around him Drury tried to hit his tea to victory but was denied the strike repeatedly by some good fielding and miserly field settings.

Mark bowled Ley for 6 as the 7th wicket fell with 40 still required. The match was all but won in the next over as Dave caught Drury off Mark for 71 excellent runs. The tail hung around but we duly wrapped up the win and 18 points with an 18 run victory.

Mark's miserly bowling yielding only 12 runs off 12 overs with 3 wickets plus Daoud and Vasim both bowled economically. Nadeem bowled very well at the business end without luck. Our fielding was excellent with Tom particularly outstanding and it was great to see Fizzy back in the runs.

Batting

Bowling

Catches: Ray Smithson 1 (w/k), Dave Nattrass 2, Nadeem Ghani 1