info@wollatoncc.co.uk

Founded 1884

Wollaton C.C.  Ilkeston Rutland C.C.

National Knockout Cup

Sunday 15 May 2010

 

Needless to say with a 1st team Sunday Cup game, the 1st XI were radically different in personal from the side of the previous day.  Ineligibility, unavailability, work commitments and injury meant there were 6 changes from the previous day.  Fortunately the odd rules of the competition allowed Scott Elstone to play plus with Tim and Alex not on school duty, at least some of the replacements were of top quality.  That said the seam department looked wafer thin.  Saq was the only regular seam bowler on view.

 

Knowing the history of Wollaton wickets, especially as he aids in the preparation Captain Savill won the toss and batted.  Doddy and Suman opened up and everyone settled down, and in the end saw history being made.

 

Putting the bad balls away, aided by the lightning outfield, and running really well, both openers soon the scoring rate going, Suman in particular was going along really well.  He was assisted when he was bowled but the bails never came off!  He was the first to reach 50 as Ilkeston had no real answer to Wollaton’s new opening partnership.  Doddy passed 50 and the runs kept coming.  What was good to see was this was done by proper cricket shots, rather than smashing it, as a lot of the runs were down to singles and 2s.

 

Tricky turned up with the future Mrs Tricky, but leaving early meant she has not as yet met the troops, although said hello to a few T Ladies.  Leaving early was probably a good job as Fighter was bored at work and was coming up to put a session in.

 

Scotty was having serious pad rash as first Suman and then Doddy both passed 3 figures, and yet they kept on going.  It was only in the final over that Suman tried to slog and could not connect.  After 45 overs, Wollaton 268 – 0.  As far as anyone could remember the highest ever stand by Wollaton CC.  For any historians, old gits or anyone else, please let us know if you know anything different.  2 fantastic innings.

 

If Wollaton believed that the game was over they were to be rudely interrupted.  For the 2nd XI players if was déjà vu, as Dave Smit started smashing Wollaton, in particular Saq around the park.  Car Keys King at the other end bowled pretty well, especially as he had the short leg side boundary and would pick up 2 wickets, including one that bowled the batsman, that Kingy declared he dreamed about deliveries like those.  Me thinks Kingy ought to get out more.

 

Captain Savill tried a number of tactics to slow the rate down at the pavilion end, as Scotty replaced Saq.  The desired effect was had as Suman ran out Smit with a direct hit.  The fielding restrictions (only 2 out of the ring in the first 15 overs) meant it was difficult to keep the rate down.  After Kingy bowled out, part time bowler Crossers came on and bowled a very tight spell of 6 overs going for less that 3 an over and picked up a wicket.  Bowling similar in style to the Big Man of the previous day, straight and slightly varying his length, Ilkeston fell further behind the rate.

 

Suman replaced Scotty and to add to his wonderful day added a wicket.  Whilst Wollaton’s fielding at times was sloppy, the odd mis-field, singles taken when they should not have been and a drop, we did witness another piece of fielding magic from Scotty.  They tried to take 2 to him on the large cover boundary.  He ran round and thre 1bounce over the top of the stumps to run him out by a yard.  Has replaced Suman and would pick up 2 quick wickets.  At the other Captain Savill brought himself on and probably wished he didn’t.  3 overs for 35 was not what the doctor ordered (sorry Ed you are well over 18 and can take the embarrassment unlike Fishy – see 2nd XI report from the previous day) as it gave Ilkeston a glimmer of hope.

 

With Dr Death replacing Ed tightening things up, it was left for Hasan to take his 3rd wicket as Ilkeston fell around 50 short, all out in the 41st over.

 

It was then crowd round the tv to watch England in action against the old enemy.  Cheers occurred on every England boundary (despite the birth place of the batsman), and it was noticeable how the Wells’ left around the 14th over.  Can they not bare to see Australia lose, or was the likely ridicule from one or two who were worse for wear on the alcohol front?  Hunty at one stage was “chewing” but “there was dancing in the street” as Colly saw England home. With the Newark Alliance side beating the taxi men at the Nook, it was a quality and successful day all round.

The Sage