Duffield this week were without skipper Ed Sims, who decided that a day at Ascot took preference to his sides battle against the drop. Richard Fry was also missing, though his sisters wedding at a neighbouring church was the given reason for his absence, which makes a change from his usual, "Hey, got some wardrobes to move around, and you’d better believe it". Zane Carrazedo was the other absentee from the winning draw at Marehay the week previous. So into the breach came Robert Scattergood, Dave Stevenson and promising youngster Mike Poyner. In form overseas player Kris Elliot took the captaincy for the day, duly won the toss, and elected to field, though he did manage to resist tossing up in his much-maligned cords, to the relief of his teammates. The good news this week was that there were no Friday night shenanigans to disrupt the team from performing to their potential, other than Hadfield being given an hours leave whilst the Missus wanted uninterrupted viewing of Dawsons Creek, and then proceeding to lose around 20 pounds to messers Short, Antill and Elliot in an impromptu game of 3 card brag in the White Hart.
So the usual Shipley opening pair, Mark Starr and Stef Gamble took to the crease on a good looking wicket facing the new ball talents of Hugh Nicholls and Phil Jordan. Sparky initially struggled with his line and length, and a few balls had Hadfield sprawling behind the stumps. Nicholls however found his rhythm early and hit the spot as he so often does, causing a few to pop at the Shipley openers. Jordan continued to struggle, and a niggling back injury forced him off, only to be replaced by Short from the pavilion end. This prompted the usual groans from the Duffield fielders, but with a bit of lateral movement, there may have been something for Short. Nicholls kept probing away at the openers, yet Shipley maintained a rate of four an over. Short having been dispatched down the ground for four the ball previous, found the edge of Gamble, and Hadfield standing back, somehow managed to drop it. It was hard to determine who was cursing more, Short, Hadfield or stand-in skipper Elliot. Anyhow Nicholls soon made up for that miss, Jones clinging onto one at first slip to remove Gamble. Cockayne was the next man in, and survived a huge caught behind appeal from his first ball faced, much to the annoyance of Hadfield and Elliot, more from them later. Short having been hit onto the balcony by Starr was replaced by Jordan from the pavilion end, as Shipley looked to build on their good start. Starr reached his 50, but was then done by one from Nicholls, which he pronounced in his celebration as a "jaffa". Zac Hussain was next in; Jordan was delivering his usual line and length, frustrating the undoubted talents of Hussain and Cockayne. Nicholls completed his allocated overs taking 2 wickets for 50 runs, and was replaced by Kris Elliot. Mr Hussain took an instant liking to the bowling of Elliot, and two deliveries sailed into the meadow. At the other end, Cockayne was playing a patient knock, often being bamboozled by the flight and guile of Jordan Snr. Though this is not to be frowned upon, as not many Division One batsmen can claim to have played Dong well. Then a moment of controversy. Cockayne went forward to one, his back foot sliding momentarily, and Hadfield had the bails off, the usual, "hehehehehehehehehehehehehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa", followed only for the umpire to adjudge 'not out'. Cue, hands on hips, followed by "how can you see from the far away, that's out, you cant see from there, he was out, hehehe, that's ****** **** **** ****** ***** *** *****". Despite protestations from the Duffield fielders to calm down, Hadfield continued. A twenty-yard walk, which included another tantrum, the ball being tossed to the ground in disgust, hands on hips and a continued shake of the head. So despite this little outburst, the game continued, and in the very next over bowled by Jordan, the same happened. Cockayne this time came bouncing down the wicket, missed and Hadfield took the bails. He didn't need to appeal, Cockayne was out having scored a useful 30. Hadfield was still chuntering though, saying he was out, the umpire was this, that and the other. Tanveer Ahmed strode to the crease and he joined Hussain. Scattergood had replaced the expensive Elliot, and Hussain passed his 50 before falling to Scattergood, again stumped by Hadfield, Ahmed proceeded to tuck into Jordan, hitting two big sixes, and his cameo 29 came to end, as he tried one heave too many, again leaving Hadfield with an easy stumping chance. Scattergood claimed one more wicket, having his man caught at long on by Robin Stevenson, who had earlier dropped a much simpler chance in the same position. Jordan finished with 2-66, and Scatergood 2-50. Shipley had built up a very impressive 264-6, with almost everyone contributing to the score.
A well crafted tea from Ms Adams, and the potato salad as well as the pasta went down well, as per usual. Despite requests from some of the Duffield lads, Tanveer's brew wasn't laced with gin, or his sandwiches tampered with in any way, so it was back to the action, and Duffield with a huge task to win the game.
Hadfield entered the proceedings with Phil Jordan. Hadfield taking strike, watched as Tanveer marked out his run, finishing about 5 yards from the sightscreen. He came charging in, and first ball was a full yorker that Hadfield did well to dig out. The second ball was identical, and once more Hadfield did well to dig it out, good pace from Tanveer too. The third ball got his man. This one swung late, and Hadfield despite playing a defensive stroke was greeted by the death rattle. Duffield 0-1. So Elliot on the back of two tremendous innings strode out to the crease looking to play a skippers innings. He played Ahmed well, and hit the other opener for 6. Jordan was living life dangerously the other end. Four huge LBW appeals were turned down by the umpire, Ahmed spat the dummy, demanded to be taken off, berated the umpire, not too dissimilar to Hadfield earlier in the day. He continued however and his fifth appeal was greeted by the finger for Jordan, so Duffield now two down for not very many. Robin Stevenson was in at 4, with Elliot fully aware that the big pad will no doubt come in useful when attempting to fend off Ahmed. But Elliot was next to go, trying to cut one through the offside, the ball bounced a little more, and the ball found the edge and the hands of the man at deep gully. Stevenson was next to go, he tried to fend one off from Ahmed, though could only glove the ball into the waiting hands of Hussain at first slip. Not only did Ahmed claim the wicket of Stevenson, but also managed to rip the nail off his third finger – impressive. Jones had come in previous at five and was looking to play his natural aggressive game, and after the fall of Stevenson he was joined by Scattergood. Scattergoods first ball however was to be his last, as Ahmed sent down a searing yorker which demolished his poles. Nicholls in at 7. Duffield in deep trouble at 20-5. Jones was next to go, he attempted to hit over the top from the other opener (whose name I cant remember), and was caught by the man stretching at mid-on, which brought Short to the crease. Nicholls was having fun fending off Ahmed, hitting one into his foot, then onto his thigh. The next ball, he attempted to leave and turned round to see his off stump cartwheeling into the distance. There was a light fall of rain at this point and the umpires were discussing taking the players off, yet decided to wait until the end of the over. With 2 balls remaining, Dave Stevenson came in at 9, his first ball was also his last, as yet another searing yorker accounted for the Gerbil-esque player. Tanveer had 6-15, and Duffield were 38-8. The rain by now was a lot harder, and the players made their way off the field, and the covers were hastily arranged. Hadfield had seen enough, and decided to go home for a family occasion. Short and Jordan sat alone in the changing room discussing what would happen next. Duffield were 220 runs shy of their target with only 33 overs remaining. Talk of Botham and Dilley, could it happen????
As time went on, the rainfall became less intense and by 7.00pm the rain had stopped, we were due to go out at 7.15pm, in the knowledge that this was now a time game, and that a minimum of 17 overs had to be bowled from 7.30pm. Ahmed still had 7 overs left, could Duffield hold on??? So Short and Jordan returned to the crease, Jordan faced hat-trick ball, and kept it out competently. For the next fifteen minutes Short and Jordan hung on. Ahmed bowled one at Short and he was hit in the spuds, feeling a bit queasy he continued not aware of the damage that had been caused, more on this later. From the other end Shipley tried everything, spin being the favoured option. Hussain, and Farnsworth both had a go at removing the stubborn Duffield tail enders. The bat was now crowded, every single Shipley player was within 10 yards...the pressure grew. Ahmed bowled out much to the relief of Short and Jordan, whose histrionics entertained all. When asked how he felt by one of the Shipley fielders, he responded "I feel like one of the soldiers about to come off the boat in Saving Private Ryan", classic Jordan which had all the Shipley boys laughing. It was now a case of batting until 8.30pm. Shipley rushed through their overs and managed to bowl well over 20 overs in the final hour. And when Graham Harvey called time at 8.30pm on the dot, the relief was there for all the Duffield lads to see, apart from Hadfield who had left the scene over an hour earlier.
So Short and Jordan went into the changing rooms, having managed to claw valuable points for the team, as the 5 points gained for an abandoned match meant that they had obtained 8 overall. Shipley came out of the game with 14 points, which was slightly harsh on them, considering how well they batted and bowled. Whilst de-robing Short realised that something was not quite right. In removing his box, he felt little bits of plastic everywhere. On removal, the box had been shattered, as a result of being pinned by Mr Ahmed. It wasn't until later the seriousness of the situation and the possible consequences of another hit became apparent to Short. This treasured piece of equipment can now be found behind the bar at Eyes Meadow as a souvenir of our battle with Tanveer.
Tottie was thin on the ground, no harem made it to the Meadow on a bleak Saturday afternoon. Once again we had to rely on the boozer and Derby to get our kicks.
So into town it was, not before frequenting local boozing hole, the White Hart. A full compliment out on the sauce on Saturday night to celebrate young Robin’s birthday. Rumours were flying Sunday morning that two of the Duffield contingent were seen "petting" with a pair of less than impressive pieces on a SodaBar sofa became rife, though this was vehemently denied.
So next week we travel to Ticknall, who are deep in relegation trouble and will be looking to get a result against Duffield to drag them out of it. Duffield currently lie 49 points clear and will be looking to bowl tight and consistent, not like Ian Hall, and bat with composure and assurance - unlike Steven Muskett. Woohoo, got it in again boys!!
Related Links:
Duffield 1st XI - 2003
Duffield 1st XI Fixtures
League Tables
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