Epperstone, Notts, 9th September 2001
The day dawned as crisp as Crossy's socks after a week in his coffin, and off we went to a new fixture, Epperstone, just up the road north east-ish of Nottingham. Lovely little ground too, with a play area for the kids, and a large dressing room for Birdy to have a kip.
Paul once again showed off his supreme negotiating skills when he realised that he knew Epperstone's skipper, and we decided to have a bat. Benno and Dean missing, but in came Steve Gaunt and Dave Hibbert. Quite a pair to have popping in at short notice I think you'll agree.
Everyone was expecting the usual wrecking session from Steve as he and Jamie strode out, but Steve was in subdued form, to say the least and didn't score his first boundary until the 12th over. Pre game odds on that would have been roughly the same as those for Elvis riding Shergar to victory in the Grand National next year, beating Lord Lucan riding Red Rum into second. Jamie fell early, and on a variable bounce track against tight bowling, we got to 50 in the 18th over, for 1. Steve eventually found a bit of form, 14 in 3 balls a highlight, but perished to a disputed run out for 44. It looked out from where I was..... Crossy and Paul then chivied it along, Paul playing his signature innings, dobbing and dibbing for 21 singles in his 48, a real captains knock, before perishing, also to a run out. Lets just say the third umpire wasn't involved. By this time only 5 overs were left and the tail (apologies to all the rabbits) Dave, Rob, Smudge and Birdy, weighed in with 28 in the last 5 to take us to 181-6 off 40.
Scudding clouds greeted us after a nice tea (personal fave: chocolate cornflake cake and strawberry gateau) and Alec and Andy opened up. Not for nothing these 2 are the Mr Consistencies in the DCC jigsaw. Another super display kept the runs down, (12-1 off 7 overs) and a wicket fell early (an LBW so plumb even Birdy thought about appealing). The 2 and 3 pair looked handy and it was a relief to get them out finally, after both had 20 odd. 51-1 soon became 71-5, but then got to 103-6 before the tail was polished off. Highlights were Smudges spell of 1-12 off 7, Paul's two catches at mid off, and Rob's figures of 3-10, a DCC PB with the ball. Final word to Crossy though, 2-2-0-1, the 1 wicket being an awesome caught and bowled 35 pointer. Spin like you've never seen. Similar to Jamie's spell really, but just the opposite end of the spectrum.....
The weather left us alone, although it was very Autumnal by the time we got off. A full semi circle rainbow greeted us as we went off to the Cross Keys. Obviously Crossy has friends in high places....
DCC 181-6 in 40 overs (Paul 48, Steve Gaunt 44)
Epperstone 106 all out (Rob 3-10, Alec 2-15)