Saturday August 21st 2021

On a day where weather forecasts often looked to be predicting that no cricket would get underway, three of the four games were abandoned part way through the second innings whilst the 1st XI slipped to defeat just before the heavens opened.

Somewhat surprisingly the 1s elected to bat first at The Strand against league leaders Cuckney in a game reduced to 42 overs per side. Although they got off to a decent start, wickets fell pretty regularly until the side were all out for 122 in the 41st over. Skipper Savin Perera was the highest scorer with 30 and there was a promising NPL debut from Morgan Jones with 21. Cuckney strove to get through their bowling (and batsmen) as quickly as possible, a decision that ultimately possibly won the game for them. The visitors had reached 49 for 2 after 10.1 overs, 18 runs ahead of the Duckworth Lewis Stern par score of 31 before the rain intervened and any further play was ruled out. The minimum overs that need to be bowled before a match result can be decided by DLS is 10. The relegation battle with Caythorpe remains very tight after Caythorpe contrived to lose their game against Kimberley off the last ball of the match. The 1st XI therefore retain their two point lead over Caythorpe in 10th position in the league with two games remaining, although they have played one game more.

The 2nd XI travelled to Thurgaton to take on Fiskerton & Thurgaton 1st XI in Division B of the SNCL. Batting first they made an impressive 191 for 5 from their 30 overs with Andrew Mooney hitting 10 4s before he was frustratingly out just 5 runs short of a maiden century for the club; his runs coming at very nearly a run a ball. Fellow opener Ben Sheppard contributed 38 runs in a partnership of 82 for the first wicket. Fiskerton & Thurgaton looked to be heading for victory at 137 for just 1 wicket off 20.3 overs before the rain intervened. The 2nd XI drop one position in the league to 7th.

The 3rd XI took on Caythorpe at the University and looked to be heading for victory before the rain came. Batting first they made 167 for 7 from their 32 overs with skipper Chas Simkiss, taking a break from his more customary role of opening the bowling, to opening the batting and hitting 44 and there were also good contributions from Will Humphriss 36*, his highest score for the 3s, Amani Darr with 22 and debutant Tom Davies with 20. The visitor’s reply started badly with Sam Henson picking up a couple of wickets as they struggled to 21 for 2 from 10 overs. If DLS had been adopted by the SNCL a win would have been secured. With just one game to come the 3s remain in second place in Division F with Cavaliers & Carrington 4th XI uncatchable out in front.

The 4th XI were at Ruddington in Division H of the league and the home side made a respectable 165 for 3 from their 32 overs. In reply the 4s were certainly in the game at 32 for 1 from 9 overs with Patrick Ryan scoring the bulk of the runs with an unbeaten 22 before once again the rain intervened and the game was abandoned.

Graham Shaw