Coton vs NCI IVs - 18/07/2009

Well, what can you say about that? I missed the first game against NCI: I was told that it was the nadir of the season. I think we managed to get worse the 2nd time around though.

Richard won the toss and put NCI in. That may have been the highlight of the match for us. NCI started slowly against some typical parsimonious opening spell from Chris Cooke. Billy Haynes continued his recent form from the other end and runs wer far and few between. The first breakthrough looked to have come when Billy rapped the NCI opener on the pads and Adam Wright raised the finger of death only to reconsider and give the right - not out - decision. Billy removed the batsman a few balls later with a deserved LBW.

Things started to happen after the change bowlers came on. Dave Scotcher soon broke through courtesy of a smart catch behind by Alastair. That was the first of three victims behind the stumps, three that should have been four when the most obvious catch was turned down because the umpire "wasn't sure". I have been told that drivers on the M11 heard the snick. I certainly did at long off.

The score meandered along and Rob Kaye removed two NCIers in the space of three balls. The first was plumb LBW (even though I say so myself). This lead to the NCI batsmen asking to replace Adam as umpire. Adam: thanks for coming along when not in the team, and thanks for standing as umpire and putting up with the complaints. You rescinded the bad decision and got the others right (which is more than can be said for their umpires and - possibly - me).

Anyway, the other NCI bat was still fuming when he got to the other end, took a wild swing and was bowled.

In the meantime, Chris's sore back had forced him off the field and Adam stepped back on as a fielding substitute. I am surprised that NCI didn't complain. The game now meandered a little and so did some of the fielders. A couple of chances went down, several more went in the air and without ever looking like they were scoring too many runs they made it to 142-8 in the 40 overs. This included 2 run outs in the last over, a stumping off Scotcher and a wicket to Richard Allison courtesy of another Breward catch. The NCI score included a fine knock by one of the three femaile members of the team, this one a 14 year old. Billy managed to bowl 4 wides in the space of an over to her: I'm not sure if this was a case of misguided chivalry. She certainly didn't need it.

We weren't helped by Chris being unable to bowl a second spell.

After a fine tea (by the Bradburies) we took the field.

First up were last week's unbeaten batsmen Dave Hale and Dave Simmons. The latter took first ball ... on the full, on the pads and in front of the stumps. A horrible ball first up and a definite LBW. Alastair was looking confident and stroked his first ball for 4. A couple of overs later he was hit amidships going back and much to his amazement, given out.

[I'm not going to comment on whether it was right or wrong, just to say that whoever thought it was a delibarate ploy on my part to never have to umpire again is just being cynical. Although it is a good idea in hindsight.]

Richard was next to go, edging to keeper and sportingly walking before the finger was raised to remove the onus of another tricky decision. Neither Bradders or Billy lasted long and less than 10 overs in we were 19-5. Dave Hale had watched carnage in stunned disbelief from the non striker's end. He then decided it wasn't worth hanging around and launched himself into a shot, which, ten minutes later dropped into the hands of mid-off. Chris now joined Rob at the wicket and we made a partial recovery until he chipped one back to the bowler. Andy East soon departed, and Rob (who had now batted about 10 overs longer than he normally manages, i.e., about 10 overs) top edged one to a fine leg. Paul Norton (for whom kudos must go for (a) the fine pitch prep and (b) not getting out of the way of several fierce shots) departed without scoring leaving us on 58 and thus short of a bonus point. Mr Scotcher carried his bat out undefeated. I'm sure he is trying to keep its unused appearance.

So, a defeat by 84 runs. Not too many positives to take away from the game. Next week we play Granta IV who are currently top of the table with just one defeat. Still, we all remember Cambourne last year.

Rob.

p.s. And I got through the entire report without mentioning bowling maiden overs or being bowled over by maidens.

Doh!

p.p.s. The sun had set several hours before anyone managed to get a pint.