2005 Season - Belper Meadows - 2005/06/05
Rob relives:
Lovely day at Belper Meadows with Nick Briars turning up for a 2pm start and the other 10 of us turning up for 2.30pm. Fortunately, Nick was wrong. Sadly, only 10 pairs of trousers were present as Paul had to go home to fetch Bradley’s which he had left in the tumble dryer.
Prior to departing, Paul went out for the toss and tails meant tears for Belper’s skip who was desperate for a bat but, improbably, Paul won and we had one instead. The changing room resembles a night at ACAS at times like this and the order was eventually confirmed as Flight, Briars, Cross, Lees, Hicklin, Taylor, Smith, then Brad, Mick, AG and Benno (injured), in any order. Brad was looking at 8 for a while.
It was all academic though as the openers got off to a good start against some varied bowling, but Jez capitulated when looking set, letting that man Lees in, who did the same but for 26 more runs. Messrs Cross and Briars then put on quite a display, Nick reaching a trouble free 50 (second of the weekend) but Crossy kept going, again, and played some snorting shots to all parts. Reaching 50 in about 15 overs at the crease, we all thought a ton wasn’t possible, but it was. When Nick went with 6 overs to go, Rob ticked it along for 10 before embarking on the most ridiculous charge since the Light Brigade and being stumped by about 175 yards. Paul then nudged a bit and with 4 balls to go, Crossy was on 99 but at the wrong end. 2 dot balls later it was looking dicey but Paul moosed a single and Crossy hit the final ball for a glorious 6 to cap it all off. When was the last time a DCC batsman got consecutive tons and got them both with 6’s? Lord knows. When did we last score 220+ in consecutive weeks? Surely we couldn’t lose again?
In short, we did. Belper’s batters looked in good nick, hitting it pretty hard, and we just couldn’t get them out. Not without chances though, 2 going to Rob which were tricky but catchable, 1 Sandiacre-esque but dropped, and the other allegedly didn’t see it til too late at point. Benno struggled with his Achilles but was the pick of the bunch. When Rob came on at 190-2, with the opener at 90 not out and the pro walking to the crease, the writing was on the wall. Belper won by 8 wickets, and deservedly so. Special mention to Nick Briars who gave a master-class in ground fielding, awesome stuff.
Crossy is now averaging 314. Crumbs. At least the top of the batting order shouldn’t be open for discussion for a while.