Duffield 1st XI were up against it this week, as they ventured to Ticknall - their biggest match of the season so far. Having put in some solid performances during the middle of the season, they had managed to pull away from the three bottom teams, Marehay, Selston and Ticknall. A win against Ticknall would all but secure them Division One cricket next season. History wasn't on Duffield's side however, with a poor recent record against the opposition.
Bad start for Duffield as a wicket-keeping crisis gripped the club, with all three first choice keepers were away or unavailable for this crunch encounter. So into the fold stepped Robin Stevenson, relief for some of the Duffield boys, as his beamon-esque slides would be eradicated from the outfield, and no doubt 25 runs could be saved in the field. Scattergood was played in the seconds so that he would be available for the 2nd XI cup match on the Sunday, so in stepped 1st XI debutant Graham Wenden and veteran Denis Saunders.
Birthday celebrations on the Friday night for our overseas player Kris Elliot, were rather subdued, though this did not stop Mr Hadfield from stumbling home at just gone 10.30pm. The more responsible members of the club took a backward step and allowed Mr Hadfield to get on with it. So to Saturday, a beautiful morning, in searing temperatures, a good excuse for Mr Elliot to drop the top and cruise to Ticknall with the very Best Ibiza 1999 beats banging out.
It probably wont surprise the regular readers of these match reports to learn that Sims lost the toss, and for the 12th team this year (out of 16), Duffield were asked to bat first. So Phil Jordan and Ed Sims too to the crease as the other Duffield lads knotted the hankies, and prepared for a fine afternoon catching some rays. Denis Saunders provided the fashion statement of the day, borrowing Irwin Goodwin's floppy to protect him from the rays of sunlight beaming down. Opening the bowling for Ticknall were old campaigner Graham Chamberlain and highly strung bowler Ryan Cowley. After a watchful first couple of overs, Sims in particular started to open up with a range of piercing cover drives and a lofted straight four from the bowling of Chamberlain. Mr Cowley was heard to mutter that he would pay for Mr Sims to receive some coaching after patting back a straight delivery. Cowley was replaced by Harvey and some leg spin, though this was treated with little respect from Phil Jordan who comfortably swept him for 3 fours. After 16 overs, Duffield were 65 without loss, when disaster struck. Zac Lucas had replaced Chamberlain, and an almighty appeal for LBW was made against Jordan. Sims, seeing the ball drop down to the slips set off, screaming for a run, Jordan stood his ground, and the slips fielder threw to the other end, where a scurrying Sims was 6 yards short. Disaster for Duffield who were progressing nicely. Sims out for 36.
Elliot was next in, and he and Jordan found the going tough. Harvey's leg spin was replaced by left arm seamer, Seal. This is not the guy who won a couple of Brits back in the early 1990s. He and Lucas bowled well, and managed to curtail the run rate. Elliot had patiently built his way to 24 when once again an absolute calamity rocked Duffield. Jordan drove straight, and called "yes, yes, yes, yes....wait". Unfortunately Elliot was half way down the wicket, and on turning, could only see the fielder from mid-on take a shy and demolish the stumps. "You f****** **** **** ****** **** ****", was the next thing to come from Elliot's mouth as he stormed off and back to the pavilion. Jordan, now needed to stay out there, as a few choice words may have greeted any return to the pavilion. He was joined at the crease by Jones, who carried on in his normal attacking manner. The run rate had dropped and it was down to Jordan and Jones to build for Duffield. Jordan reached his 50 in the 40th over. Jones was next man out, trying to moo one to the waiting Duffield fielders in cow corner, and to see the ball fly off the top edge and into the air, this was duly taken by Super Mario, or Ron Jeremy (which ever you prefer) behind the stumps. Fry was in at five, and he attempted to push the run rate, but having been 65-0 from 16, Duffield found themselves at 140-3 from 40. Fry and Jordan went in close succession, and Stevenson and Short took up the challenge. What could have been a profitable partnership was soon ended, as a mix up between the wickets, saw Ticknall run out Stevenson. Once again, a few more expletives were heard, though I personally have no sympathy for the young sprog, as he was obviously trying to run out his more senior partner!!! Wenden was next in, though he became the 4th run out victim of the innings. The ball rapped him on the pad first ball, Short called him through for a run, and in the words of R. Jeremy, Wenden had his feet stuck in concrete. Once Short was down at the other end, Wenden set off, only to be run out by 16 yards!!! Time for some experience, as Saunders strode in. A sublime cut shot for four was followed up by a defensive prod that rather unfortunately bounced back and clipped his stump. Jordan was last man, safe in the knowledge that he has averaged 53 with the willow. A couple of inside edges increased that to 57. Then in the last over, Short attempted to put Seal into the cornfield, only to sky one upwards, out caught by Lucas. So, Duffield closed on 191 all out. The feeling was we were actually 30 or so runs short, though credit to Ticknall who bowled very well in the second half of the innings.
So to the pavilion we went, with some rather disgruntled Duffield batsmen, we had a word or two and to tea we went. To be honest, teas were not how I once remember them. I recall the good old days with trifles. However, we were more enthused by South Africa taking England to the cleaner in the Test match.
To the field we strode, looking to defend what was a modest total. Opening the bowling was Nicholls and Richard Jordan. Opening the batting for Ticknall were Harvey and Seal. These two progressed slowly at first, with Nicholls extracting good pace and bounce. Jordan was plugging away at the other end. Then a wide ball from Nicholls was driven fiercely, straight to Saunders at backward point. A fair effort for a scoob, as he jumped forward but couldn't claim the catch. Cue, the expected cursing and expletives from Nicholls. Seal, didn’t last long however, an expansive drive found the waiting hands of Phil Jordan at mid-off, Ticknall 40-1 from 12 overs. 55 year old Rob Dumelow was the man in at 3, and a key performer for Ticknall. He displayed his usual array of attacking strokes, and hit beautifully through the covers and also putting Jordan next to the farm house with a big six. Though he was to eventually succumb to the flight of Jordan. Sims had positioned himself at short mid-wicket, and as Dumelow tried to work Jordan through the leg side, could only scoop the ball up to the waiting hands of Sims. As the ball was in the air, the cries of "ooooooohhhhhhh nooooooooooo", in a Pinky and Perky style voice could be heard from the batsman, much to the amusement of the Duffield fielders. Jordan then claimed his second wicket, dismissing young Harvey, caught behind. So Duffield were starting to build the pressure up. Sims came on and bowled a tremendous spell, and picked up wickets at regular intervals. He extracted big turn and bounce, and this was the undoing of more than one of the oppositions batsmen. Elliot had replaced Nicholls and despite bowling with good pace was unable to get the breakthrough. With 3 overs to go, Ticknall were 160-8, and required over 10 an over. Sims bowled the first one, and was swept confidently for 2 fours, and Ticknall managed to pick up 10 from the over. Elliot's last over cost Duffield 12 runs, one that went for three following a dropped catch and a four doing most of the damage, and from a seemingly unloseable position, Duffield were up against it. So eight needed from the last over. First ball, wicket, Fry picking up a low catch. So Ticknall were now nine down, and Lucas came into the crease. His first ball was swotted in the air straight to Jones at mid-wicket. Normally this is meat and drink to the Duffield player, but somehow he managed to spill it, and failed to recover as it flew into the air, the ball went down. That was the match for Duffield there and then. So 7 now required after one wide ball, with four balls remaining. A dot ball was followed by the next ball going for two down to log on, and the following ball was similar. The last ball left Ticknall requiring 3 to win. Sims spread the field, and strangely sent the keeper back. Lucas was to face, and with a big pick up, lofted the ball wide of long on for six. The Ticknall boys were jubilant, the Duffield lads were stunned. Another close game for Duffield, and it was the fifth time this season they had a side 9 down at the end and not managed to beat them. In what was a vital match, Duffield left knowing that they only had themselves to blame for not scoring enough runs and for not fielding well in the last 5 overs.
To the Hart it was, to talk about how we had thrown it away. It means that Duffield have now played all the sides down the bottom and will need to really turn on the performances to ensure they gain enough points to be in Division One next year.
Ticknall for totty was poor. I think it is fair to say, not one single piece of eye candy graced the ground, and once more we have had to rely on the White Hart to provide the candy. The end of season totty meter will make for interesting reading. A full compliment ventured into town on the Saturday, to really begin the birthday celebrations of Mr Elliot. The new Drinking bong, purchased for Mr Elliot by Shorty took a good hammering, and resulted in Dong making a lady cry, and some uncontrollable dancing on the Soda Bar dance floor. All in all, a good warm up for the afternoon session the following day supporting the Scoobs. West Hallam at home next week!!
Related Links:
Duffield 1st XI - 2003
Duffield 1st XI Fixtures
League Tables
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