Gonzo won the toss, for the first time since 1983 and elected to field. "Plod" White and The Ant opened the bowling looking to cause some early damage to the frail Allestree batting line up.
The two opening batmen started confidently, stoking a series of boundaries off Plod while the Ant applied a firmer stranglehold from the other end.
The lanky left handed youth was the first to go, but not before he'd been subjected to some ribbing from messes Antill and Scattergood regarding his current partner, the legendary Lauren of Mr Short fame! He was not amused!
The "Trees" moved along at a slow rate as both Antill and Ellis, replacing Plod at the pavilion end gave nothing away.
Wickets continued to fall a regular intervals, Darts Mason throwing down some accurate arrows, the odd one bouncing twice! He was awarded a fairly solid LBW decision early in his spell which saw the implicated batsmen destroy his bat in the changing room and reportedly retire from playing cricket!
The only substantial resistance was offered by the remaining Allestree opener who battled though for 42 before becoming one of Ellis's 3 victims as the innings drew to a close.
With 10 overs remaining, and the score edging towards 100, Duffield rolled out their secret weapon who had been grazing in the outfield commenting on how bored he was! It was none other than Freddie Mercury look-alike and ex first team star of the mid 90's, Kevin White. He immediately stamped his class on the game, taking two wickets in his first over, finishing with four wickets off his five overs. His availability for the rest of the season could be crucial as the 2nd's look for success in both league and cup.
At the conclusion of the allotted overs, Allestree had set Duffield 114 to win.
Everyone tucked in to an Antill family tea, packed full of the normal delights and of the highest quality.
The Duffield openers emerged after the interval looking to continue their respective good form from the cup fixture the previous weekend.
The opening bowlers, a painfully slow veteran seamer and an ex Duffield junior Dan (Prince Harry) Webster, were treated in a circumspect fashion by the Duffield batsmen as they got used to the pace of the wicket.
The slow seamer as he shall be known, thought he had Antill caught behind in his first over when the ball had clearly missed the bat, umpire Plod White exhibited the calm posterior you would expect from an officer of the law and pronounced the Buxom Warrior, not out.
Dickie then began to tuck into Webster dispatching him through cover and point as the scoring accelerated. Antill was left behind as Dickie continued to score freely, at last free of the awful form that dogged him earlier in the season.
With Dickie 20 runs ahead in the scoring stakes, Antill finally got going and started to smash an ageing left arm spinner, on at first change at the Church end, into the Millenium Meadow. Duffield were getting ever closer to their target.
Allestree then brought on a bowler with the most bizarre delivery stride in the history of the game. The player in question stuttered momentarily before reaching the return crease and then showcased his best Justin Timberlake shuffle as he prepared to deliver the ball. The Ant dispatched him into the meadow in typically dismissive style.
Having reached 60 and looking back in form of old, the Ant gave the aforementioned bizarre bowler a wicket in the most ridiculous of circumstances. Mark charged down the pitch looking to strike another big blow, only for the bowler to chuck down a beamer above the Buxom Warrior's head. He reached up and played a forehand smash in the style of Sampras only to see the ball float back to the bowler who took the catch. The Ant slowly made his way back to the pavilion complaining that a no ball had not been given, he used the normal array of x rated expletives before finally returning to the shed.
Pete Turner helped Dickie steer the Toffs through to a very comprehensive victory. Allestree are obviously suffering some off the field problems but Duffield made sure of the win with an efficient and professional display.
The Tottie Meter was not required, as Eyes Meadow remained almost deserted for much of the afternoon. Apparently it was stepped up later in the evening with a trip to town featuring Dave Olsen's piece and some of the White Hart barmaids.
Related Links:
Dirty Den's April Diary
Duffield 2nd XI Fixtures
League Tables
|
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
