Two Cracking Games - I Win, 1 Defeat
Both the 1st & 2nd XI's were involved in tremendous games this Saturday, one of which resulted in a narrow win for the 1st XI & the other saw a last ball defeat for the Seconds.
The 1st's were again away from home making the short journey to Brackenhurst college to play Southwell, a few changes from last week with unavailability forcing Scotty's hand rather.
Having first use of the wicket and once again being lead by Billy 'Run Machine' Armstrong with 52, most of Calverton's batsmen made a contribution as Calverton posted a useful 200-9 off their allotted 48 overs.
Southwell looked well on course to chase down the total until Ginger Bill this time did his stuff with the ball taking four quick wickets as Southwell pressed on the accelerator. All the bowlers did very well, either taking wickets at vital times or bowling economically. The only blip being a number of dropped catches (three of them off Tommy Gun!). However, despite the dropsies, Southwell were bowled out 20 runs short of the target with three overs remaining.
20 points & an excellent team effort.
MOM - Ginger Bill, 52 and 5-68, well done, well done.
Meanwhile back at GLA the seconds were hosting Long Eaton 2nd's. John Nester came back from the flipperty coin game a happy man, winning the toss & electing to bat. When Jordan Jackson returned to the Pav for 11, Bilal Waheed then joined the experienced John Leafe & they put together a splendid partnership before 'Coach' finally succumbed for 66. Bilal remained until the end finishing on a well crafted 82 not out. A final score of 206-5 was a tremendous effort bearing in mind recent scores, again though progress has been made.
In reply Long Eaton made a cautious start & at the drinks interval were only scoring at just over two an over. This proved to be the lull before the storm though, as the rate picked up the and the excitement increased. Steady bowling from the ever reliable 'old head' Dickon Perry supported by the even 'older head' of John Nester put Calverton in the drivers seat. With all the 'kids' again getting a bowl & learning more valuable lessons, the game went right down to the wire with Long Eaton sneaking home off the last ball of the match with two wickets in hand.
A marvellous game of cricket and another few lessons learnt which will only benefit the youngsters for the future.
MOM Cricket was the winner!
No Wins But Good Progress
Although the 2nd XI & Sunday XI both recorded losses & the 1st XI had the worse end of a draw at Balderton, there was real progress throughout the weekend.
At GLA the 2nd XI hosted Thrumpton in Division E. Having lost the toss, Calverton had first use of a fine looking surface despite the morning rain. For a change the Openers made a good start putting on fifty for the first wicket. All was going well until Dave Dean was 'shot in the leg' well so it appeared. Apparently Dave is a rare breed, as even at his age he still has a hamstring (or two)! So with Dave sat in the Pav, the remainder battled gamely to set some sort of total. Jamie Taylor top scored with 45 and Bilal Waheed & John Nester also chipped in. At the close of the 40 overs a score of 142-7 had been posted, not enough, but a vast improvement on previous weeks. Thrumpton made short work of overcoming the total, but Dickon Perry put in a good spell with the new ball & both Brinsley Kirkham and Billy Bennett got in some useful overs which will only help with their learning experience in senior cricket.
The 1st XI travelled to Balderton & fielded first. Pete Heald & Saqib Khan were the pick of the bowlers taking five wickets between them as Balderton posted a useful looking 229-6 from 48 overs. Calverton got off to a poor start with three wickets going down cheaply. However, as last week, two of the young guns put on a splendid partnership to get us back in the match. Billy Armstrong (who eventually fell for 44) & Callum Jayes (78 not out) put on over a hundred to give us a shout. Unfortunately the asking rate got a little to high, despite Captain Scott & Callum giving it there all towards the end, we finished 32 runs short. Still, against one of the better opening bowling attacks in the league, a decent performance and 8 points.
The Sunday XI lost there 'unbeaten tag' at Hucknall Rolls Royce where the home side batted first posting 209-5. Calverton got off to 'a flyer' with 80 on the board by over 11. Ginger Bill 'The Run Machine' scoring another fifty before the wheels fell of & we were bowled out 20 odd runs short of the target. More runs for the Calvo 'yoof', let's hope they keep coming on a regular basis.
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Where were you at 6.08pm?
On Saturday 10th May 2008?
Yes it has finally happened; no not the first team winning a game this season (although they did & very professionally too), Richard Lee hit his first ever six! A packed GLA witnessed the event as the man with forearms like Popeye broke his duck with a front foot drive (off Waaardy) over long on & down the park. The crowd erupted at this momentous & emotionally charged event.
Anyway, back to the game. The wee-man returned to lead his troops against R-O-T following last weeks sojourn into the seconds. With the second offspring having finally arrived (congrats to Scott & Lorraine), the Captain lost his first game of flipperty coin on a beautiful day at GLA. With the wicket looking akin to a road & Radcliffes latest overseas addition having scored 200 runs last weekend without being out, the signs were ominous (but had Brad ever seen anything like Creepy?!). Radcliffes progress was steady, the highlight for Calverton being a marvellous leg side stumping by our six hitting hero Lee off the bowling of Tom Wright, enter Brad. The score moved steadily along to 105-2 with a total of 230-240 looking most probable. However, a splendid partnership of bowling between Saqib Khan on his home league debut & Peter Pieman serving up some scrumptious stuff, this was reduced somewhat. The turning point was probably when Brad attempted to reverse sweep The Pieman on consecutive deliveries & lost his off stump (o.k the bail just managed to fall off!) With Saqib claiming 4 wickets, Creepy with 3 & Pete Heald (also making his home league debut) claiming 2, Radcliffe were bowled out in the final over for 180. A tremendous effort to restrict our opponents to such a total was helped by a fine display of fielding by a much younger, dare I say, more athletic team.
After last weeks debacle with the bat, & the proper Captain now in charge, a much altered batting order set about the task of scoring 181. The returning Matt Handley & Eddie Lee strode out to the wicket & both returned very quickly, although Matt did get a shocker. Chris Miller did not last long either against his former side & when Callum Jayes fell for 20 we were in a bit of a mess. What followed was most pleasing on the eye with Rich Lee & Billy Armstrong putting together a splendid partnership which all but won us the game. When our six hitting hero departed for 66, Scotty joined Billy and they saw us home, Billy finishing on a fine unbeaten 53.
So 20 points on the board. It wasn't so much the victory that was so sweet today, but the manner in which it was achieved, with the Young Guns standing up with the bat to see us home. Long may it continue.
MOM, difficult. Splendid bowling from Saqib & Creepy & a fine fifty for Billy. But the vote has to go to Flea. His first ever six, an innings of 66 (ironic really) & an immaculate display behind the sticks culminating in a fine stumping.
Well done everybody, well done.
The 2nd XI made the trip to Nuthall with a very inexperienced side and were on the wrong end of a hammering. Batting first we could only muster 52 all out, Nuthall ensured the 2nd's had plenty of time to make the trip back to GLA in time to see the 1st's win!
For the second consecutive Sunday GLA stood idle on a beautiful sunny day. This time it was East Bridgford's turn to let the hosts down, crying off at 12.20pm as the sightscreens were being erected & tea preparation was under way. Thanks!
Poor Start To New Season
It's a pity the season doesn't start in a week or two. With half a team of players currently out injured/ill/holidaying or merely expecting to become parents, both the 1st & 2nd elevens kicked off with somewhat depleted sides. At least two sides were put out though which is more than some Clubs managed this weekend!
The 1st XI travelled to the home of newly promoted Gedling & Sherwood and what a splendid new facility they have down at Regatta Way. Despite the aforementioned availability problems, the personnel on display for Calverton really should have put up a better display. Acting Captain Richard Lee decided to have a bat first. There were no demons in the wicket, but an insipid display with the willow saw an early tea being taken as we were skittled for a paltry 65. Game over. G & S achieved the 'monster target' for the loss of one wicket. Back to the drawing board.
The 2nd XI hosted Underwood at GLA under the guidance of John Nester. Underwood batted first & totalled 201-8 from the allotted 45 overs. A splendid effort by the 'young uns' in taking eight wickets & keeping the score respectable. Special mention to Matt Dean & Brinsley Kirkham - well bowled.
A lot depended on Dad to be (still waiting) Scotty & Coach Leafe to get us off to a good start, which they did. But once Scott departed for 43 the target proved insurmountable. Still Matt Dean proved he can bat a bit as well, batting for some time & remaining not out at the end.
The Sunday XI chalked up the first 'win' of the season in unsatisfactory circumstances with a 'walkover'. Gotham should have been the visitors to GLA but rang up on Sunday morning saying they couldn't get a team.
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