DCC V Thorpe Arnold CC
Belper, Derbys, 22nd June 2003
It was a hot, humid, sticky afternoon at Thorpe
Arnold. Toss was won by DCC facing a very varied home team. DCC had 9 regulars
+ (I.C`s Father-in-law to be) Barry Stokes and the effervescent Frank Hallam.
steve Perry and Steve Gaunt opened. SG starting in
his usual flamboyant approach hitting 2 x 4`s in the first over but then
perishing in over 2 as he slashed a catch to slip.
James Lees at 3 similarly hit 3 x 4`s in his first
over and was then bowled. Steve Perry made steady progress to 24 before
departing. Dean Blake at No.4 was elegance itself with 8 x 4`s and 2 x 6`s out
of 52 before being bowled with the total at 99 for 4. skipper Ian steadied the
ship with a carefully composed 55. The rest stuttered and spluttered until
Mick Stewardson ran out brother Frank (who had amassed 5 runs) off of the last
ball of the innings with a creditable 198 on the board from a none too flat
track.
Tea was an excellent plated salad with loads
of bread and jam, cakes and fruit. A real feast.
In reply Thorpe reached 47 before Mick Stewardson
claimed the 1st wicket. John Newton was later spot-on with 3 clean bowled for
23 off 7 overs. (Concern was aroused for Groom to be - Captain Ian when in
trying to field a ball he managed to re-arrange the fingers of his left hand
which required some strapping from Steve Perry (pity Keith Brown wasn`t
around). The highlight of this innings and the Catch of the Day was a
brilliant C & B by Jon Smith to dispose of the potentially dangerous Nick
Gillott for 2. Frank was awarded the 39th over and had the pleasure of
having the opener, who had batted throughout for a pedestrian 49, stumped by
SG(No Jug!) Thorpe had scored 167 - 8 innings close with 10 of DCC having had
a bowl. This makes 7 wins out of 8. Apart for a few spots we avoided the
promised rain.