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SNCL Division C/D

1st XI v Keyworth

Saturday 19-June-2004

Wilsons (192 for 6) beat Keyworth (79 a.o) by 113 runs.

Stefan Boss 57
Zak Briggs 54
Tim Caldwell 5-26

Wilsons completed their most comprehensive win of the season so far, beating 5th place Keyworth on a cold and blustery afternoon.

Early rain around midday and another heavy shower at 1.30 meant there was some spice in the wicket. Seemingly the toss would be all-important.

Unfortunately Boss lost and immediately the opposing skipper inserted us. Bush and Khan were again the openers, hoping to develop their good partnership of recent weeks. Although there was definite movement in the pitch, exploited by the tall opening bowler Rendu, Khan was relentless especially against anything short. At the other end Bush was his impeccable controlled self. Any lateral movement in the pitch was negated by Bush’s superb defensive technique.

Another solid start was generated but a mini collapse occurred when the score went from 30-0 to 30-3 in the space of three overs. Firstly Khan mistimed a hook to Deep Square Leg and was caught a few yards in from the boundary. He was visibly annoyed when he got in, such is his “appetite for destruction”.

Tom Wilson, a youngster who undoubted talent was next in promoted up the order, as Kish Patel was not available. His instructions to play himself in were obviously lost in his revision-for-exams-crammed mind and he attempted to play quite possibly the weakest pull shot ever and dabble one to short leg. He was unfortunate to be at the wicket when it was at its worst and we are all convinced nothing but good things will happen for the playstation-obsessed scrote.

Bush was next man out and Amir followed soon after after displaying some wonderful shots through square. Wilsons had to dig in with Zak and Stef. Their partnership turned the game around, and the opposition’s morale collapsed. As the sun began to break out of the clouds they scampered singles, drove and cut with authority and took the game away from Keyworth. Highlights were some magnificent straight batting from the captain and two huge sixes over midwicket from Zak. Half centuries for each of them were fully deserved and both received rapturous applause when the reached their milestones.

Both fell towards the end and it was up to TC and Maxey to claim full batting points and more. TC carried on from his magnificent century last Sunday with some clean (moo!) hitting and Maxey eclipsed all batsmen before him with a wonderfully self-styled clip off his legs from the last ball of the innings for a maximum.

With 192 on the board, Wilsons were confident of a victory but complacency was not going to breed.

TC and Rose, becoming an effective opening partnership, ripped through the top order of Keyworth. Last year it was Boss and Taylor who bowled them out for 26. This year, with admittedly better batsmen, they were 26-5 in only the 10th over.

TC was first to strike and Rose followed in the next over with a plumb LBW. TC then took a further two wickets, one with a perfect slower ball and another played on via the batsmen’s box as he backed away. Rose then caught the edge of the opening batsmen and Zak took a great catch behind the stumps.

TC’s fifth wicket was so well deserved. He has been playing the cricket of his life with bat and ball and we are all in debted to him for agreeing to travel down from Preston especially for the next week's match.

With Kegworth 7 down the threat of rain prompted Boss to replace Rose with Khan to wipe through the tail. Also TC was replaced with Amir. Khan, after a faltering start, clean bowled their number 8 and Amir took his chance with the ball to round things off with his first wicket for the club. In between, Maxey induced their number 10 to lob the ball to Amir at point and grasped the ball firmly in between his legs…

It was another great team performance and a thoroughly convincing victory. Kegworth’s captain remarked on our bowling strength in depth and our positive batting was the best they have faced all season. Next week we have Clifton and with the same team spirit and commitment, a victory is well within our grasp.

Dave Rose