First things first, a big thanks to James White and Chris Sieder for helping us out today. Much appreciated lads, hope you enjoyed your day.

Back in the beautiful scenery of Colston Bassett again, village of Stilton cheese and the famous Martins Arms. Tel outdid himself today and travelled only at warp 7 along the A52 before getting us lost only 200 yards short of our ultimate destination. Awesome stuff.

The corn was shorter than our last visit as Jamie won the toss (this heads lark really works…) and Rob and Paul opened up, on a flat and greenish pitch. Beautiful day for it. Paul and Rob found the middle and the edge with roughly equal ease early on, and Paul survived a huge caught behind appeal, before gloving one to the keeper with 10 against his name. Rob nudged to 23 before the yips set in and in the space of one over went from looking set to sitting down. Jamie and Crossy then hurried it on in fine style, Jamie back with the old faithful bat (50% glass tape and 50% wood by the looks of it) looked well in, Crossy hit it hard and rode his luck. (Copyright "Typical Crossy innings"). Jamie went after getting to 50 very nicely indeed, while Crossy accelerated towards 100. Birdy picked out the only catcher in the side to continue a lean spell, and Alec came and went quickly. The 2 lads looked good before falling to excellent deliveries, as Crossy slogged it to a super ton, before collapsing with exhaustion mid slog and being bowled. "What are we clapping?" said Brenda. "Your son just got 100" Dave replied, wearily. Mick Stewardson played out a maiden to finish, and there we were 244-8 after 40.

Nottingham’s innings started in upside down fashion and Adam had to relieve his dad before a ball was bowled, Alec nearly wetting himself at the sight of a schoolboys helmet so soon after tea…. At 13-4, the batsman had fallen to a sharp catch by Rob at gully (catch it or wear it…), ash trashing by Andy, and 2 LBWs given by Norm. History doesn’t record the last time norm gave 2 in a season, let alone an innings, but as Birdy said, "How often do I go up for an LBW?". Must have been very plum indeed. But Nott’m were really 13-0 as the batsman then came in. The skip was dropped first ball by Rob , another sharp chance in the gully, but it was OK as he only scored 40 after that …… Once the 2 main bats were out and Paul had cleaned up the next guy second ball, the writing was on the wall, and it came to an end with a belter of a catch at cow corner from Andy Gaunt in the gathering gloom. Add this to his big fourfer, and a very successful game was had by the gingerer Gaunt. Mick Stewardson continued his fine run with the ball, 9 wickets in 4 games this season so far, Adam bowled a super little spell, and we ended up in the Martins. A successful end to a successful day.

DCC  244-8 (Cross 100, Lees 57)
Nottingham CC 103 all out (Gaunt A 4-19)