Scorecard

Quorn II v Cosby Cricket Club 2nd XI on Sat 11 Jun 2011 at 1.30pm
Match was Drawn Winning 16 Points

Match report 11th June 2011, Quorn II vs Cosby II

The 2s came in to this week’s tricky looking encounter against high flying Quorn on the back of a disappointing performance against Rothley and with a number of changes made to the side. However it was one of these changes that had raised the spirit of the C2 Unit as Frank was back in the 2nd XI. The 2s could look forward to a day full of entertainment from Frank with his Frankisms (see this week’s bumper quote of the day, dedicated entirely to Frank).

On arrival at the ground the 2s were faced with a wicket that was difficult to read as it looked very green in areas and plenty of dead grass in others. Fuhrer Wood was unsure what would be the best course of action should he win the toss and wasn’t that bothered if he lost it and let the Quorn skipper make the decision. Such is Woody’s form with the coin that he won the toss and decided that the 2s would be batting first.

The 2s opened the innings with the heavyweight opening partnership of Hursty and Nick “Baz” Baker who had been promoted to the 2s from the 1st team. Things got off to a steady start as despite the Quorn bowling not looking overly threatening the pair had to be watchful as the pitch was proving difficult to bat on due to the occasional tennis ball style bounce of the ball. However 5 overs in the lookalikes started increasing the run rate as the Quorn bowling started getting more wayward highlighted when Hursty flicked a 6 over the leg side boundary. After this 6 it was Baz that tucked into the Quorn bowling as they continually fed his strengths as he hooked, pulled and cut away to his heart’s content as the run rate continued to climb. The pair had taken the score up to 82 in the 19th over when the 1st wicket fell as Hurst played the ball into the off side and set off for a quick single. However he had hit it straight to Quorns youngest and best fielder and Baz (who had been a bit lazy backing up) was run out by a distance. No need to refer it to the third umpire, even if there was one only Baker’s gut may have made it into frame.

After the positive start provided by the big lads Dave “Umar/Gandhi/Pedo” Thorpe came out to the crease and with Hursty went about continuing the good start. The pair had taken the score only into the 90s when Hurst became the 2nd man out when attempting to hit a 6 over mid on he only succeeded in finding the fielder stationed on the boundary who took a smart catch to be dismissed for 40. This brought Cindy’s Baby Boy to the crease armed with his new bat which he admitted to be unsure about using before going out. It would be fair to say all insecurities about the new piece of willow were put to rest when Russ hit his 3rd ball over mid off for a towering 6.

Umar and CBB went about building a partnership that would hopefully put the 2s in contention for a big score but despite runs being added it was definitely a case of a tale of two innings. CBB was looking in fine fettle and looked to be timing the ball well whereas Pedo appeared to be struggling to get the ball away and any time he did appear to play a forcing shot could only succeed in hitting fielders. The score was moving steadily upwards with Russ looking increasingly fluent but he did have a couple of lives when he was surprisingly dropped at cover by Quorns youngest/best fielder and also a missed stumping of Bakeresque proportions when the Quorn keeper took the bails off with CBB out of his ground only for the ball to be rolling towards square leg.

The score had gone past 150 when the innings hit a bit of a snag as when attempting a single Russ appeared to pull a muscle and was struggling to run. His injury didn’t prevent him going past 50 for the 3rd time this season with some fine shots. Due to his ever decreasing mobility CBB was playing more and more shots and eventually fell being caught behind for 56. Gandhi was joined at the crease by the big hitting Uncle Ben Cox and the pair took the score past 170 before Thorpey became the 4th man out when he was stumped for a hard fought 20 runs.

Wretch came in at number 6 with 6 overs to go and the 2s had a target of 200 in mind, the pair were able to do this and more as the 2s innings finished on 219 for 4 thanks to a combination of good running and big hitting from both batsmen as Coxy finished on 38 not out and Wretch 12 not out.

The 2s went into more than happy with their total of 219 on a pitch that was trickier to bat on than the score suggested. The 2s mood was further lifted when faced with the spread that the Quorn tea lady had put on, the tea can definitely described as a contender, with the potato salad and scones with jam, cream and strawberries a specific hit.

The 2s went out to field with an opening attack of Frank and Wretch and the pair set about the task with aplomb. Despite the occasional wayward delivery runs were proving hard to come by and the breakthrough arrived in the 5th over when the Quorn opener played Frank to backwards square leg only for Billso to be stationed there who took a stunning diving, left handed, eyes closed, hands tied behind the back whilst standing on one leg catch (maybe a slight exaggeration but it’s how I remember it) and Quorn were 15 for 1. Wretch and Funtime Frankie continued testing the Quorn batsmen and the 2nd wicket arrived in the 10th over when the other opener top edged Wretch behind for CBB to take the catch running backwards over his shoulder. The C2 Unit appeared in control as Quorn were 34 for 2.

The Quorn skipper came out to the crease and alongside the number 3 appeared in watchful mood as they went about repairing the Quorn innings. The 2s thought a breakthrough though when Wretch got the edge from the Quorn skipper only for Hursty to spill the chance low down at slip, for which he would prove to make the 2s pay.

Fuhrer Wood made his changed to the bowling with Sheriff coming on for Frank and Umar for Drizzle. Despite the pair bowling in decent areas the further wickets were not forthcoming as the Quorn batsmen continued batting with discipline and increasingly fluently as the scoreboard began ticking over. They reached drinks at 90 for 2 and the match appeared well balanced.

After drinks Sheriff and Thorpey with the ball and the 3rd wicket fell in the 25th over when The Quorn number 3 over balanced when facing Andy and was well stumped by CBB and Quorn were 100 for 3. The Quorn skipper was joined at the crease by their youngest player and the pair continued the process of accumulating runs and wickets again were looking hard to come by as the pair continued with resolute defence and increasingly punishing any wayward deliveries that came along.

The Quorn skipper went past his 50 and Woody decided some bowling changes were needed as Billso came on for Thorpey and the Fuhrer brought himself out of bowling retirement as he came on for Sheriff. The bowling changes paid dividend as Woody was able to get the breakthrough the 2s were after when the Quorn skipper attempted to loft Woody for 6 only to be well held by Thorpey at long off for a well made 69. Quorn were 160 for 4 and this soon became 165 for 5 as Woody soon took another wicket when he bowled the number 6 and the 2s appeared to be back in control with 10 over remaining.

The 2s sensed they may be able to sneak a victory if they could get another quick wicket. However Quorns young number 5 and somewhat more experienced number 7 batted with due diligence and the score continued going up. Billso’s spell was curtailed after 2 overs to try Sheriff against the new batsmen and Frank was brought back after Woody’s brief but crucial spell. The pair took the score up towards 200 after 43 overs when Sheriff got the 6th wicket when he removed the impressive young Quorn number 5 LBW.

Things were getting close and the game appeared back in the favour of Quorn when in the 44th over when Sheriff was hit for 6 over the pavilion by their number 8 and at 216 for 6 the game seemed to be theirs yet in another twist Quorn took a suicide run off the last ball of the 44th over and the number 8 was run out by Thorpey from square leg.

So coming in to the final over Quorn were 216 for 7 needing 4 to win, the 2s needed 2 wickets to win (as one of the Quorn number had left due to an injured finger) and it was game on. Frank had the ball in his hand and he proceeded to bowl a great over going for only 2 runs off his first 5 balls, so coming into the last delivery of the match Quorn needed 1 to tie and 2 to win they would be running regardless. Frank beat the batsman outside off stump and Russ took the ball, the pair took off for a bye to the keeper but CBB was quicker than his Quorn counterpart and was able to get up to the stumps and run him out . The 2s had got a winning draw with just 1 run to spare.

Result: Winning draw (just)

Points: Quorn II 9 points, Cosby II 16 points

Tea Rating: **** A definite contender that will take some beating. Potato salad, scones and the ham and mustard sandwiches went down well.

Quote/Frankism Of The Day: On the way to the game the song Pray by Take That comes on In Wretch’s car:
Frank: Is this S-Club 7?

On getting into Quorn Frank sees a sign saying welcome to Quorn:
Frank: Are we in Mountsorrell?

During the 2s innings a black cloud comes overhead:
Sheriff: Looks like it could rain
Frank: June is the rainy season.

During the C2 Unit innings Frank starts singing the song L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N by Noah and the Whale:
Frank: L.E.F.R.E...err think I’ve gone wrong

At tea Frank samples a cocktail sausage:
Frank: The good thing about these sausages is that they’ve been cooked.

On the way home Frank sees a rainbow:
Frank: Wow, this is the closest I’ve ever been to a rainbow.

Whilst on a dual carriage way on the way home Frank sees a bus:
Frank: A bus, what’s that doing on here?

MOM: A lot of contenders this week with contributions all the way down with the bat and some good bowling from the likes of Frank, Wretch, Sheriff and Woody. However MOM goes again to Russ Sullivan for his 56 runs as well as a catch, a stumping and a run out.

Verdict: What a game of cricket. Just when one side appeared to be getting on top the other fought back with both sides at varying stages looking like going on to win. The 2nd XI hung on by the smallest of margins to get a good winning draw against a side that will surely be in the mix for promotion come the end of the season. If the C2 Unit show this kind of commitment and togetherness for the remainder of the season they won’t go far wrong.

Cosby Cricket Club 2nd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 4 wickets
0
219		        
Matthew Hurst Caught  40
Nick Baker Run out  42
Dave Thorpe Stumped  20 1
Russell Sullivan Caught  56 1 1 1
Ben Cox Not Out  38
Matt Wright Not Out  12
Nigel Meredith  
Ben Spencer  
Paul Wood  
Andy Gray  
Matthew Bills   1

Quorn II Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Quorn II Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
218 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Cosby Cricket Club 2nd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Ben Spencer10.0233133.003.30
Matt Wright7.0127127.003.86
Andy Gray15.0078239.005.20
Dave Thorpe7.014400.006.29
Matthew Bills2.001200.006.00
Paul Wood4.001326.503.25

  • Umpire :
  • Scorer :
    super simon cooper