Dorchester CC vs Edwinstowe - 12/9/04

 Despite loads of offers, another match report by Smudge r.

 So, the last game of a long, yet short season, if you catch my drift. Thought not.

 Another new fixture in north Notts and a nice setting, albeit in rather autumnal weather conditions. Steve Gaunt makes a welcome return, calculator in hand as he traditionally ponders every possible permutation regarding the batting averages. "If Crossy gets a duck, I need to score…"

 Plenty of time for that though as Edwinstowe have first bat and the openers make steady progress; Andy and yours truly not getting a breakthrough until a run out in my final over. Benno and Mick then came onto bowl with Mick almost providing one of the more humorous moments in the club's history. With everyone else parking their cars safe and sound behind the pavilion, Mick had decided to park his big German pimp mobile on the edge of the boundary which, from the end he was bowling, was at straight long-on. So first ball, what does the batsman do but hit Mick for a six straight over long-on, missing the Mercedes by about six feet.

 Undeterred, Mick took three wickets for 18 using the old 'you miss, I hit' theory while Benno picked up another. After 30 overs, a modest chase looked on with only 89 on the board but Paul decided to make a game of it bowling 4 overs which their number 8 took an increasing likening to. Paul's final over was carnage of the highest order (sorry skip) with 3 sixes and 2 fours taking his figures to four overs for 48.

Their number 8 duly scored 55 not out, taking their total to 154 for 6. Special mention to Jake Lowe, a local youngster who made our 10 into 11 and bowled a tidy spell at the end. Can't say I was impressed, however, with him continually making me shine the ball when he was returning to the start of his run up. You can shine it yourself in future, you cheeky young scamp.

 The chase began with the two pretenders to the batting award, Gaunt S and Cross I, opening the innings. Ian went cheaply for ten and Steve's calculator went into overdrive. Jez went cheaply before Andy Kelley went in and carried on where he had left off the previous game scoring a superb 41 and putting on 107 with Steve for the third wicket. Steve carried his bat, making a tremendous hundred and seeing us home with 12 overs to spare.

 A bright end to what has been a monumental struggle at times this season. Here's to a brighter future in 2005.