Edwinstowe vs Sheffield Collegiate
SCCC 153 all out/ Edwinstowe 154/5. SCCC lose by 5 wickets
The Mansfield XI kicked off their Premier League campaign with a disappointing loss at Edwinstowe, famous for a big tree which Robin Hood was supposed to have hidden inside (it's absolutely massive and different from all the other trees, so people must have been quite dim back then). A nice little ground with quite a decent crowd turn out.
Made a good start to captaincy by losing toss and being asked to bat, but an inspired decision to open with Lord Dixon meant the spectators were soon sent rushing for cover. Dicko raced to 30 inside 6 overs, and things were looking bright. However the swift departures of Billy, Albert and then Dicko meant 40 odd for 4 and much work to be done. Simmo and Rooke the younger steadied the ship for a while, before Simmo tucked into a piechucker and 30 yard boundary with 4 consecutive 6's, bringing up his 50.
That was about as good as it got, as wickets then tumbled at regular intervals and Collegiate were dismissed for 153 with 6 overs to spare.
After a splendid tea by the Simpsons, Edwinstowe pretty much cruised to their target until Ollie Pearson came on and produced a fine spell of bowling, removing their overseas and a couple more, exposing a tail that quite likely started at 4. Too little too late, and Edwinstowe emerged 5 wicket victors.
Can certainly do better in every department this Sunday!