Thorpe Arnold, Leics 23rd June 2002
Off we trundled to the heart of Rutland for the game against Thorpe Arnold, which over the years is turning into a cracking facility.
For the second week in succession, we had a bit of help form an unexpected quarter, step forward Richard Garner of TACC Under 13s, who fielded bowled and batted extremely well indeed. Thanks Richard.
We won the toss (note, this is getting to be a habit) and we looked at the various strengths and had a bowl. We were without several first choice bowlers (Andy Gaunt, Dean, Smudge, Alec) and the overs were spread thinly between those capable, only John Newton getting a full 8 in.
The cup tied Aussie and the skipper were the stars for TACC and they got to 200odd at the end of 40 overs. Notable performances were new boys Faisal and Fahan, making their debuts for DCC after being Basford players for a while, with a wicket each, and Dean with a lovely spell of 5 overs for 10, including 2 wickets. Man of the day in the field was the big Bird however, with 3 catches and a stumping, in a simply awesome display of how to keep against some at times interesting bowling. Never before have I seen a bowler change to spin halfway through his first over, after bowling 4 wides in 5 balls, eh Rob? "Thanks Rob, good spell, have a break" was the predictable response from Jamie.
After a super salad tea, it must be said, the classically trained Dean Blake and Birdy began the chase. Both looked in good nick early on but capitulated in a disappointing manner at 23 and 20 respectively. Cometh the hour, cometh the railway sleeper, and Crossy with it. A terrifying 84 followed and at one stage, it looked for all the world like he and Rob would knock it off, after Jamie had an innings he’d like to forget (bowled off a no ball and still got a duck) and Griff flashed a wonderful boundary and was bowled next ball. In the increasingly low sun, it got a bit difficult to see the ball, and both Crossy and Rob got out an over or two too early, although Rob was beginning to look like a hospital case with all that running. Faizan played a brief but glorious one ball innings, and it was all over nail bitingly close to a victory, but not quite. Hero of the batting was Crossy, a super knock. Only 249 in 3 innings so far this year……
TACC 200 odd in 40 overs (pending
scorebook)
DCC Not quite as many (Cross 84)