Papplewick, Notts, 2nd September 2001
Paul, in a moment of madness, won the toss. We had a bowl.
Weather :Not a bad September day til we batted, then it went very dark and damp.
The DCC multitude converged on Papplewick this weekend (well, assorted fantasy plotting wives, proud parents, mischievous offspring and psycho dogs, anyway). Papplewick are always the ones to beat for DCC, as they proved in the past, a good side is sent out to meet DCC and a good game generally ensues.
This year, we all arrived in reasonable time for the 2pm start, to a side missing Dean, Spenno and Benno from the regulars. P&L were apparently not as strong as they would have liked, but 5 first teamers (including top of the batting and bowling Aussie pro type chap) gives you some clue as to the seriousness of it all. Crossy turned up in a shirt that looked like it had spent the period since last Sunday being the subject of some Olympic quality origami practice, and got to collect tea for the privilege.
Away we went, and Andy Gaunt gave us a bit of a reminder as to just how good he is, taking a quality 4fer, with the ball swinging beautifully. Didn't need the one slip, as 2 were bowled, and 1 a plumb in front LBW (even Birdy nearly shouted for it). Alec was his usual frugal self at the other end. At 22-4, we were looking good. However, the Aussie and the skip then proceeded to take somewhat of a shine to our first change bowling, with a huge stand, featuring some, er, shall we say uncomplicated, hitting being the feature. The Aussie got to a 50 in style with a 6, and probably to his ton as well, before being completely deceived by Paul flipper (Or should that be kipper?) whilst skip got to 76 before a suicidal run resulted in Gaunt (S) whipping off the bails without a batsman in sight. It has to be said, some of our catching was not up to its usual standard in the deep, although some of the sixes were still going up as they passed the long on fielder. This ushered in some small children, Alec wailing and gnashing teeth as his 8 overs were up, but they batted very commendably against Crossy and Rob's fine spin. A target of 233 looked in range, as batting seemed not to be a problem.
Tea was partaken of, as was some mighty fine marble cake and jam donuts (always a winner in my book). It got noticeably darker over tea and Steve and Rob went out wanting a helmet. A pit helmet.
Steve looked in no kind of touch early doors (lenses not quite in, he said) but the two got to 50 before Rob (on his usual 20odd) missed one too many missed straight ones and had his leg stick tickled. The captain did, at this stage, appear a little vocally critical of some frankly poor wicketkeeping, as the byes piled up, off his own bowling of course. Enter Jamie, who smote a few before riding his luck a bit too much. Steve was by now better, and got to 50 before a snick behind had him on his way. Crossy could not repeat his heroics of last year and batsmen generally came and went. By now, things were a little chirpy, and Birdy sadly did not get to stay around long enough to put them in their places. We ended up on 187, before, in the fading light we finally capitulated. I feel I must add here that Crossy's understanding of the LBW law, from an Umpire's perspective, does not appear to be that of the actual law. If Smudge middles it on to his pads, its considered poor form to give him out. just one to note there, Ian.
No luck at all in the post match raffle draw, off we went to dream of Epperstone next week.
P&L 233 (40 overs) Andy Gaunt 4-32
DCC 187 all out , Steve Gaunt 50.