Thorpe Arnold, Leics (or is it Rutland?) 19th August 2001
Paul won the toss and couldn't decide. We had a bowl.
Weather : Muggy and warm, then wet, then muggy and warm again.
Back to Thorpe Arnold for the first time in a donkeys age, to see a ground that looks picture postcard stuff, being continually reclaimed form the brook, more each time we go. We weren't the strongest in the world, but neither were they and the decision to field was taken after a soul searching discussion in the changing room. Out we went, and with Alec demoted to second change (when was the last time that happened?) Andy Gaunt and Adam opened up. The story of the innings was one of 2 quick wickets, the second to a super bit of filed placing by skip, and some rank leg side bowling by Andy, then a gap where 2 batsmen got a few on the board, then regular wickets to leave TA on 102 all out after 30 odd overs. Wickets were well shared out, no-one getting more than 2. The dark clouds were looking more and more like the inside of Crossy's coffin, and we went straight round and had 6 overs of our own before tea. The rain came down, as it had threatened to do, after 6 overs and off we went.
Scorecard at tea as follows, Steve Gaunt back in the pavilion, work done for 35 (average in the 70s now eh Steve?), Rob in 3 balls for 6*, Paul, who opened, not out 4. Tea was a belter and after tea, out we went for the coup de grace. Rob got onto 17 in another red codpiece innings, before unwisely missing a straight one, which brought Birdy to the crease. Paul tried in vain to carry his bat while we knocked off 103 for a single figure score, but didn't quite manage it due to a lovely leg glance for 4. He then went mad and ended up with 15. Last word to Birdy though, who won the match, first ball off a new bowler, with the greatest reverse sweep you could wish to see. Simply awesome. 30* for the Big Bird, read his profile here, made up after dozens of attempts to get him to do his own failed.
Lovely bar to have a pint in and watch the thunder and lightning off in the distance.
DCC 103-2 off 20.1 overs (S Gaunt 35)
Thorpe Arnold 102 all out off 32 overs