Archie Fry's trip to Amsterdam ruled him out of this one, so Carrazedo after some fine boshing for the Scooby doo's last week, was installed as his replacement. Friday night, once again failed to go without incident for some of the 1st XI. Talk of BBQ manufacturing, bodily marks, and expensive taste in cats/rats, was to be heard during the pre-match ramblings, all of which played significant roles in the build up to this crucial match.
Duffield lost the toss and were asked to bat first by Elvaston skipper Lee Archer. So, the pairing of Sims and Hadfield which had done so well against Belper in the last two matches, walked confidently out to the normally batsman friendly strip. The new ball was thrown to the usually erratic medium pacer Ian Hall, and from the other end, a particular fired up individual, who if he had taken a wicket would no doubt have been jumping through fiery hoops. Anyhow, after a steady start from the Duffield openers, which included a worked flick by Sims into the tree, which instead of the deserved four, was only deemed to be two, Hall made the breakthrough. Out of his assortment came the full bunger, which Sims inexplicably missed, and was greeted by the death rattle. An early breakthrough for Elvaston. Out to the crease strode Kris Elliot, who after persistent persuasion from Shortie, had laid off the booze on Fridays in recent weeks, and had performed well with both bat and ball. On what is a good batting wicket, it was hoped that he would be able to entertain us with an array of attacking stokes. However, I don't think he was quite prepared for the next random delivery from the 'Ian Hall Allsort Collection'. A full bunger was followed up by a leg side half volley. Easy runs I hear you cry….wrong. Elliot looked to work the ball to fine leg, only to connect with the faintest edge, and a full-length acrobatic dive from Archer behind the stumps, saw the Elvaston players celebrating. Elliot stood his ground, but was the given the finger by vertically challenged Umpire Terry. A long, slow walk back to the pavilion for Duffield's overseas star, out first ball. Phil Jordan was next to the crease, fresh from his first ton the previous Sunday. Hadfield was playing his usual patient innings, slowly accumulating runs from one end. Jordan then started to time the ball well. Defending resolutely, and guiding the half tracked, wide balls from Hall down to third man with ease. However, Hall did pick up his third wicket, Jordan playing at one that he should have left, as it bounced a little more, only nicking it to Archer behind the stumps. Duffield in a bit of trouble at 40-3. Jones, Jones, calling Mr Jones...Phil Jones has played some key innings for Duffield, not least against Elvaston at the start of the season where he scored 50, having come in with Duffield 13-5. Jones and Hadfield developed a key partnership, with Jones taking the attack to the Elvaston bowlers. The now ineffective Hall was replaced by the young Elvaston spinner. Jones took the game to him, and hit him back over his head for a six into the abyss behind the sightscreen. This was followed by a few more attacking strokes, before he tried one too many and holed out at mid on for 35. Duffield were 96-4 after 25 overs at the drinks break. A mammoth games of boundary bowls was beginning to take shape now. Elliot had managed to pick his lip up, and instigated a game on the undulating course presented by Elvaston CC. Shortie, Dong, Zane and an un-named assailant joined him. (whose name will remain a mystery!!). Mills had gone to the crease at 6, to join Hadfield, who was now into his thirties. These two needed to build on the score, to give Duffield a reasonable total to defend. Hadfield was next to go however, top edging the spinner to the man at deep square leg. Duffield five down. The impressive White was bowling from the road end, and was extracting good pace and bounce from the wicket. Stevenson had joined Mills in the middle with 20 overs still to go. Then Mills tried to work one to leg, only to top edge the ball into his cheek. Without a helmet on, Mills went down like the proverbial sack, and the swelling round his eye, meant he retired to the hutch for some TLC. Carrazedo joined young Robin, though his customary three steps back from anything faster than spin, resulted in White picking up his first wicket, as the edge found first slip. Short was next in. Despite sledging from Hall, he maintained some composure, as he looked to consolidate Duffields position. Stevenson however, failed as he cut a short wide one from the spinner straight to the man at cover point. Duffield in big trouble at 120-7. Nicholls joined Short, and these two added 30 for the 8th wicket. Short had progressed to 16, when Nicholls inexplicably ran him out. Short patted one down, looking up Hugh and his flowing locks were charging down like the clappers, screaming ‘yyeeessssss’, so Short set off, only to be run out by about 8 yards. Mills attempted to return to the action, though after just two balls, a nosebleed meant he was to trudge off again, and Richard Jordan strode to the crease. A partnership of 16 from the last few overs saw these two progress the score on to 158 for the loss of 8 wickets. Having looked good at the half way point, Duffield lost their way somewhat, and it was doubtful whether they had scored enough runs to restrict the strong Elvaston batting line-up.
The Duffield boys had worked up a hunger by this stage, and headed the queue for the delightful spread that had been offered by the tea ladies. However, we were cut short in out tracks as Sergeant Sims demonstrated his leadership powers, and marshalled all the Duffield players from the tea queue, up the stairs for the pre-innings prep talk. This obviously did not go down well. Hugh apologised to Shortie for running him out, and Millsy was doing his best to win the 'Shrek look-alike competition'. As mentioned a tremendous spread for all to savour, including little Indian nibbles, awesome.
So back upstairs we went , Hadfield warmed up by throwing a ball against a table to Robin. It was remarked, 'oi, you wouldn’t do that at home, don't do it here'...of course Hadfield looked perplexed, and soon stopped. It was important to get off to a good start, however Millsy was in no fit state, and would not be taking to the field. However a Shortie brainwave, as he suggested asking the unnamed assailant of boundary bowls fame to be a sub fielder. To their credit, Elvaston and both the umpires agreed, as Duffield took to the field with eleven eager men.
Phil Jordan started from the abyss end, and still appeared to be a little rusty after a few weeks off from bowling, as he only bowled 3 overs, rarely troubling the openers, and was replaced by Sims. Nicholls started from the road end, and once he had got going, bowled with tremendous style, rhythm and complete with expletives. Archer and Ault, played well at the start, though Archer was soon dismissed, a short long hop for Sims, was struck powerfully but straight into the hands of Dong Jordan at mid-wicket. Nicholls kept plugging away, seaming the ball away from the left-handed Ault. However, Duffield seem to be distracted. A gang of youths took it upon themselves to venture into the Elvaston CC grounds, soon followed by Plod and buddies. Four constabulary cars were seen at the ground, 3 of which containing female officers, complete with handcuffs, truncheons walkie-talkies. Any talk of Dongs next big feature film was put to rest, when it was decided that maybe a senior league official had gotten wind of Duffields sub fielder and sent down the boys in blue to assess the situation.
Nicholls kept plugging away, his 10 overs without reward going for 30. Sims then brought on the golden boy. Richard Jordan was brought into the attack. He soon got in on the action. Ault snared at short midwicket. Duffield were really confused then. In at four, was Steven Muskett. Surely Elvaston didnt have the cheek to reverse the order. Muskett, looked nervous, how was he going to play Jordan???? Elliot bowled from the other end, and found plenty of lateral movement, which troubled both Birch and Muskett. The Elvaston number four, was attempting to drive his way out of trouble, but only provided a good work out for the edge of his bat. Dong built the pressure, and Muskett went on the offensive. He never looked comfortable however, and holed out to the unnamed sub fielder much to the joy of the unnamed person, and the Duffield lads. Elvaston were now three down, and Jordan was using the magic dust, which at this point had claimed 20 division one batsmen this season. Elvaston however, kept the scoreboard ticking over. Birch played well for his 40, before he too fell victim to Jordan attempting to sweep. Elliot was still getting lateral movement, but couldn't find the edge that his bowling deserved. White came in and played well, playing some attacking shots off the bowling of Elliot. Jordan kept throwing them down, in his customary style, and picked up the wickets of Kettlewell caught behind and Johnson LBW, to claim his first ever league 5 wicket haul. White then took his anger out on Shortie, as his 2.2 overs at the death went for 20 to seal a relatively comfortable 4-wicket victory over Duffield. White played well both with bat and ball, and Jordan bowled well for Duffield, taking his league stats for the season to 23 wickets for 217 runs, at 9.43 a piece.
Duffield had proved themselves to be a better side than they had shown in the season's opener. And will be looking to bounce back in the fixture next week as they take on Selston at Eyes Meadow.
As for tottie, well, rather thin on the ground, the local constabulary provided most of the eye candy, though the arrival of Musketts lady friend certainly raise a few eye brows from the Duffield fielders. Fair play to you my son, is she coming to Bristol?????
So a relatively quiet night for most of the 1st XI, the usual visit to the White Hart, though Dong did venture further afar with a trip into the town, where allegedly was berated by the Elvaston boys in the queue for Scream!!! Though how Ian Hall had the nerve to do so, after wearing that Technicolour dream coat beats me.
Related Links:
Duffield 1st XI - 2003
Duffield 1st XI Fixtures
League Tables
|
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
