Chris Mills was omitted from the initial squad having been diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone, so after much umming and arghing Dave Stevenson came in to make his first 1st XI appearance of the season as the second eleven were not playing until Sunday in the Cup.
Selston included their overseas star who wasn't included in the first match between these two sides, and his reputation as a forceful batsman along with Chris Dunn, meant that the toss would be vital. Skipper Sims lost this, and Duffield once again were invited to bat first, on a wicket that looked good for batting.
So once again, Sims and Hadfield strode to the crease looking to set the tone, in this vital lower table clash. Hadfield is now making a habit of making good starts, and the first ball he faced raced for four, as did the 5th ball. However, the smile was soon to be wiped off the faces of the Duffield boys, as he played a relatively defensive shot...no worries we all thought, until the ball dropped back, and with a little extra bounce brushed the bail as the spin took it backwards. Hadfield back in the hutch, complete with mutterings, gloves propelled against the wall, and then a 2-hour walk round the outfield. He still hadn't calmed down at tea...hehehehehehehehe.
So Mr Elliot entered proceedings, much earlier than anyone else would have liked, as he and Sims looked to take Duffield on. Now last week, Mr Elliot was victim to one of Ian Hall's random deliveries first ball, so he must have been nervous as the Selston opening bowler charged in, though a flick off his legs saw him off the mark first ball. These two batted well, with good running between the wickets as Duffield progressed at around five an over. Sims then was guilty of not moving his feet, and for the umpteenth time this season, his poles were down. Duffield again losing two early wickets for less than thirty. Phil Jordan who scored a sublime fifty in the away fixture was in at four, and a period of tight bowling from the Selston bowlers reduced the run rate. Elliot was batting well, and Jordan although taking his time, was picking up the odd run.
Meanwhile, on the balcony some of the 2nd XI consumed copious amounts of ale, hardly fitting preparation for the Cup quarter final the following day. Wenden even had the nerve to be seen drinking out of a silver tankard. Darts Mason, Antill, and later on Dickie made an appearance complete with camera. Talk of the Beer festival in Derby did little to distract the Duffield 1st XI though, as Shortie and Dong continued their boundary bowls duel. Shortie victorious this time, levelling the series at 3-3. However, this wasn't plain sailing as we had to evade the chuntering Hadfield, and Dave Thorn as he tried to inform us of how easy it would be to score runs against this attack, even at 70-odd!!!
Back to the cricket, Elliot was starting to bat with timing and precision, and even Jordan managed to hit one or two balls off the square. Elliot cruised to his 50, despatching Selston's overseas player into the Meadow. This was a real chance for Elliot to go on and score his maiden ton for Duffield. The score was progressing nicely, with Jordan being the third man to go in the 39th over. He scored 32, before given a somewhat dubious LBW decision. Jones came in next and looked to play the attacking strokes we are all used to. He did not last long however, as he came back for a slightly ambitious two, only to be run out by yards. So Fry took to the crease. Elliot was still at the other end, Duffield had scored 180-4 with 7 overs remaining, and Elliot was 98 not out. Facing the next ball, he dropped one down to his feet and set off, an easy single, but the bowler charged down the wicket and attempted to kick the ball at the stumps, the ball went 10 yards wide and down to fine leg, allowing Elliot to come back for a second, and to attain his first ever Duffield century. A superb knock, which failed to provide one chance to the Selston attack. Elliot added a further 45 to his score, in the last 5 overs, with Fry 11 not out at the other end, as Duffield ended their innings on 230-4. Kris Elliot finally found the big score which he has been promising for 2 years, and ended up with the Divisions best score of the season so far, 145 not out.
So to the tea, finely prepared by Jenny and Dick Mills, lit up by Dick's choice of a particularly vulgar shirt. After slogging it out with the willow, Mr Elliot had perched himself under the water tap and couldn't even muster a slice of melon, no problems there as Mr Antill took great delight in scoffing the scraps.
It was vital for Duffield to make a good start; Ali and Dunn opened the batting for Selston. It was vital for Duffield to get an early breakthrough, as these two had the ability to see Selston through to their target. The new ball was trusted to Nicholls and Richard Jordan, fresh from being unveiled as the best bowler in Division One, as his record of 23 wickets at 9.43 demonstrated. However, Mr Ali had other ideas. Jordan's first three overs went for thirty one, and Nicholls was also on the receiving end of some lusty blows from the Pakistani overseas player. However a breakthrough did come, Dunn trapped LBW by Nicholls for single figures. A big break for Duffield. At the other end, Ali had registered his 50, and when the score was on 72, Ali had scored 65 of them. Then Jordan claimed his man. Another ambitious shot was plucked by Fry at extra cover, much to the delight of the Duffield lads, and the annoyance of Ali. So the two main danger men were back in the hutch, but there was work still to be done. Jones was thankful having dropped Ali in the previous over from the bowling of Nicholls. Jordan then bowled with confidence and he bowled his next seven overs for just 20 runs, and was subsequently replaced by Sims at the pavilion end. Nicholls bowled through from the other end, and Elliot replaced him. Selston were still up with the run rate, and their number four looked far more dangerous than Elvaston's number four from the week previous, but disciplined bowling from Sims accounted for two quick wickets, as Selston were desperate to get the win. Duffield's fielding is normally highly reliable, but this week, the pressure seemed to show, as misfields from some of the outfield players enabled ones to be turned into two's. As hard as they tried though, Selston found it difficult to play Sims, and he was picking up wickets. Tight bowling from Sims restricted Selston further, and needing 8 an over from the last 10 with only 5 wickets remaining proved too much. Fry dropped a catch at long on, thudding off his chest, much to the amusement of Antill Snr. and Armstrong on the balcony, and the exasperation of Hadfield and Sims. Hadfield also indulged in some banter with the attack minded batsmen and when he was stumped by well over 3 yards, Hadfield was not slow to take up the challenge offered by the vocal youth as he departed.
Sims bowled with tremendous control once more, and his 14 overs yielded 5 wickets for 26 runs. Selston in the end crawled to 200-8, picking up maximum batting points for their efforts, though this puts them further behind Duffield in the battle against the drop.
The post-match discussions in the changing room, provided most of the entertainment, as bait was gobbled up left, right and centre. Hadfield was giving out most of the bait, and Fry, Jordan and Short were all guilty of taking a nibble. However, when Dong retorted that Hadfield had dropped two catches, well Hadfield was well and truly tickled into the net, the prize catch of the day, or so we thought. Having showered and retired to the balcony, Neil Armstrong followed by John Antill, and then Mark Antill enquired to Mr Fry about his dropped catch that thudded off his chest. Well, that was it, an absolute beauty was caught, as Arch threatened to go home, not bother with the White Hart, as Arch jumped into the net, back out of it, and then straight back in again. That's one for the mantle piece - priceless.
Duffield know they will have to field better than this if they are to compete against some of the stronger sides, though the day belonged to Elliot for his superb knock.
The Hareem made an appearance at the Meadow for the first time in a few weeks, always keen to support their men - which consequently boosted the tottie meter. It was a disappointing day for tottie, despite the sun being out - normally a sure fire booster for the meter, so it was to the White Hart to get our fix, and we were welcomed by the White Hart 1st XI bar staff, as they pulled out all the stops to have the finest Duffield beauties all working at the same time. Dong was not impressed however and headed for a lonely night in the town, as his pursuit for more phone numbers intensifies.
So to rock bottom Marehay next week, Duffield will be looking to gain another positive result, in the knowledge that they failed to perform in the first meeting between the two at the start of the season.
Related Links:
Duffield vs Selston Pics
Duffield 1st XI - 2003
League Tables
|
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
