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Being safe from relegation helped in relaxing the players but a tough game was always on the cards against Staveley who were second on the ladder and looking to guarantee promotion.
On what looked a green wicket Simmsy lost the toss and it wasn't a great surprise that the Toffs had to put on the batting attire and go and face the music. As this was the first game in September it started 30 minutes early at 12:30 pm. Even the fact that the Jordan's had been told many times about this it didn't stop them from arriving late and hence Sparky not being able to open the batting. There was no "sorry guys" from the Jordan's, simply a Dong special - "some of us have got work to do". So out went Millsy and Simmsy to open up. Staveley's opening bowlers bowled well and got a bit of movement, however it wasn't due to this alone that the Skip's woodwork was rearranged all over the ground - he just left a straight one. So the Oz was in once again within the first few overs and he too found it a little tough early on. Millsy played and missed at a few and along with a drop catch from the keeper, Staveleys bowlers were not too happy to say the least. But he was still at the crease fighting on. After a couple of nice shots from the Oz he was given his marching orders after one wrapped him on the pad - and once again he appeared a little disgruntled about the decision.
Sparky came and went adding only a few, and Jones followed at number five also struggling to really get going. All this time however Mills was building in confidence and starting to play some nice strokes. Hadfield came and went, once again trying to pull however his stumps too were dismantled. Robin and Shorty followed both agreeing that the gully fieldsman needed some practice, however taking both quite cleanly they were left with egg on their face. Two more ducks to the Duffield pond. Mills fell for a well made 60 and if it wasn't for him Duffield would never had got close to a hundred. The milk tray man looked OK for a while and scored a couple but he couldn't hold back forever and was on his way. In came the master, the one and only, the man himself - Dong. Looking to keep his average in tact (above 30) he could not afford to get out as this would lead to him being dropped out of the batting averages, but Mr Camm had other ideas on his mind and it took only one ball to send him packing as well. So after only 43.5 overs (yes that is official) Duffield managed to score only 128. With a bit of work ahead for them in the afternoon everyone went in for yet another very enjoyable tea.
The game was never out of Duffields reach however as their bowling has been by far the best asset of their game this season. But with a good start by the first 3 or 4 Staveley batters the Toffs were on the back foot. But then Simmsy came on a took a couple of vital wickets one including the very dangerous Peter Camm who played what can only be described as a woeful shot. At 5 for 50 it was game on. Duffield really put the pressure on and the run rate slowed right down. Nicholls bowled another great spell as did Dong however it was Simms who continued to take wickets. Staveley struggled on for a bit and their two batsmen continued to close in on Duffield total. Due to the fact Duffield were bowled out with 6 overs to go Staveley could afford to bat slowly as they had 56 overs to bat. However this was not always the case. It took a ten minute stopage, a long discussion with the scorers and umpires, a bit of sledging from Jonesy and a lot of bickering from Simmsy to work out that there was indeed 6 extra overs not 4 as first thought.
Dong replaced Simms after his very economical spell and Elliot finished from Hugo's end. Bowling tightly Staveley had to use 54 overs to reach their target with their captain batting well and finishing 30 not out. So the result ended as most would have thought at the tea break, however it was a far closer affair than anyone expected. Well played to Staveley and congratulations on your promotion. With one game to go the Duffield lads were not too fussed about staying home on the Saturday night and most ventured into town for a fair few ales. Even the fact we were playing our great rivals Belper meadows the following day, the Landlord didn't have to think twice about boozing it up with the lads in town as he was off the leash for the night. The tottie meter did register at Eyes Meadow with a nice piece from Staveley, along with a couple of Shorty's new Hareem and an appearance from an Aussie bird.
But did we stuff the meadows..............Find out in Shorty's report!!!
Related Links:
Duffield 1st XI - 2003
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