Wollaton Cricket Club

 

Sunday 28th June

Notts / Derby Cup v Ockbrook

 

After the previous days debacles for both senior sides, Wollaton had an immediate chance of making amends against Derbyshire Premier side Ockbrook in the inter-Countys Cup Competition.

 

Director of Cricket, ground curator and skipper for the day Ed Savill won the toss and decided to bat. He later mentioned how glad he was to be batting first given the sweltering conditions - it could have been a long day if the coin had landed different! But as it was Karl had a new opening partner in Nick Ellsmore and both eventually took guard when the late replacement umpire made it to the venue.

 

Both Wollaton openers looked to be in decent nick before something got lost in translation and Nick was run out cheaply. Karl carried on taking the attack to the oppo and was joined by Steve Allcoat. Steve holed out to third-man - the bowler looking like he was running uphill and into a force10 gale (there was even the slightest hint of a breeze). A procession then followed, interspersed only by Karl's 30-odd and Scott Elstone's fifty. Much to the skipper's chagrin Wollaton failed to bat out their overs, all out 167.

 

In reply, Nick Ellsmore and new partner Jason Potter opened up. Nick bowled with aggression and was unlucky not to remove their Aussie Cassar who looked decidedly uncomfortable. Jason bustled in also and nearly had the same guy caught at mid-on by the DoC - Ed proving the spirit of cricket is still alive and well amongst the Gentleman by not claiming the 'catch'.

 

The bowlers rotated but a wicket proved illusive. Jason came back for a second spell and stuck manfully to his task. However, in the end, Wollaton were defeated by ten wickets.

 

Hunty's gloom deepened and his shoe laces had to be removed. Whilst Ockbrook's win was comprehensive, things can quickly change: one good win and he'll be back to eulogising the players as God like.