Beautiful sunny day on the top ground, flat wicket and fast outfield - the scene was set but what was to follow wasn't part of the script.......Toss won, Simmo inserts us due to our strong batting line up. We got off to a steady start, with Abi getting himself early. Unfortunately, our other opener, Olly Brown (Grindleford) didn't settle as quickly and soon Simmo had to replace him as he kindly kicked his stumps and saved the opposition a job. Simmo settled as quick as ever,crashing a four over long off heads, before being caught at mid on - chipping a half volley rather than trying to whack it.
Tom Outram (Grindleford) was next to go in, but never looked settled on an Oval-esque wicket and was removed without troubling the scorers too much.
Tom Lister was next in and although he looked good at the beginning, failed to turn his start into a decent score, making way for Joe Parkin (Centralians). He was later run out (although I can't remember by who....) and Chelsea joined me (oops, I've given it away) at the crease.
He nor I lasted much longer, chipping back to the bowler and to long on respectivly.
Despite some surprisingly sharp running from Lieper T and Danny Belfitt, and some long-handle batting from Sheraz (yes that fast one who used to play for us!!!) we collapsed for a measly 76 all out.
We knew it was never going to be enough, particularly as the wicket was a true as Lieper A's resemblence to the 118118 adverts. And so 76 against a distinctly average bowling attack was disappointing.
We opened up our defence with Parkin and Bob, who both bowled with pace and aggression. Sheraz caught one of their openers of Bob and Jo bagged the other after a good catch from Simmo at short leg. Joe then bowled their number three and reduced them to 11-3 and we were ready to wrap the innings up. Joe and Bob finished their 5over spells strongly, both bowled excellently defending a poor score. Joe should have had two wickets but their lefty decided not to walk after he middled it to Danny behind the stumps and the umpire was wondering what all the noise was about.
Lieper T had one over but failed to make the desired impression and was replaced by Outram who failed to pitch one in the batsman's half, although he hit him in the ribs, on the elbow and on the visor, so fair play.
Outram and I were the last pair on and like the other bowlers, although we bowled well and failed to go for many fours, 76 was never enough.
And so, we rather lost the game rather than Whitley winning it, but fairplay to them - they had to stick around and get the runs in an aggressive arena, with plenty of bouncers, yorkers and verbal abuse!
There's always next season...