Best Match of the Season thus Far.......on Astro!

Gave this match a bit o news for it's own as.....well it deserves it. MAtch 3:Sheff Utd Away National KO. Now read on....

Yesterday we played Sheffield United U15 on one of the asto turfs at Bawtry Road. Having lost the toss in the usual manner Littleleips informed a new opening partnership to put pads on, go out and do us proud. 5 overs later the captain who had uttered those words was taking the pads off having been bowled along with the other top 5 batsmen. 12 for 5 and for some reason we weren't feeling confident. However, enter Lister Pigott and Nutty Slack to start what can only be described as a miraculous recovery. Lister was bowled with the score on 38. Nutty Slack scored a vital 19 before being caught for 19 with score just passed 50. It should also be mentioned that Slacky ran like greyhound, turning what weren't really two's into easy 3's. To do this he was aided by the Colt who stayed there and scored an invaluable 9. Dangerous Dave biffed an technically outraegous 7 and then Foxy did the rest. We had crept up to 84 for 8. A few byes and that partnership between Lister and Slack had given us something to bowl.

Not surprisingly it promptly rained. Sheff Utd were quiet so we decided to make lots of noise and play some changing room cricket. The atmosphere was to say the least fantastic and we honestly believed that we could win.

The plan was that Joe Parkin and Tim Jim opened the bowling. Joe was fine but it soon became obvious that Tim Jim couldn't stand at his end as the rain had made it very slippery. As a result Littleleips came on. Joe Parkin bowled an inspirational 4 overs, going for just 6 runs and deserving a wicket that never came. Littleleips seemed to have found his line and length and off his 4 overs went for 5 runs and removed a frustrated left handed LBW. We were a fantastic fielding unit and put on a performance that would have graced any league. Special mention for .......me who put in a spectacular diving (yes diving!) stop. Not the only one though, Slacky was himself again and between the two of us, Joe Parkin and Belfitt we kept the noise going. Lister replaced Littleips and Dangerous continued to bowl well if a bit short from The Parkin End.
We progressed but the wicket was a long time coming. Lister finally removed the other opener (who had also calimed the top 4 when we batted), He was shortly followed by the No. 3, Bowled by Dangerous. Game on.
Lister came off with an over to go (but not before taking another wicket) and Dangerous finished his 4 overs to be replaced by Foxy. After an expensive over from Foxy, Lister came back and Tim Jim bowled from the other end.

18 balls 12 required.

Tim Jim's first over went for 4 runs. Lister came back and, with the aid of some interestin wide calls Sheff Utd needed 4 off the last over.

Tim Jim came in to bowl against a unsettled No 6. The ball flew off the edge between the keeper and Dangerous for 4 runs.

We were gutted but we walked off and shook hands with the Sheff Utd players. A very disappointing end to a fantastic last 3/4s of the game. Top effoert boys. All of you can be proud of the part you played in a very memorable game

Collegiate

Danny Walton Bld Smallpiece 2
Joe Parkin Bld Smallpiece 2
Danny Belfitt Bld Smallpiece 0
Tim Parker Bld Smallpiece 0
Tom Leiper Bld Steele 1
Tom Lister Bld Allot 12
Richard Slack Ct Dobson bld Barlow 19
James Colton Not Out 9
Dave Carrick Bowled Barlo 7
Simon Fox Not Out 5
Sam Parnell DNB

Smallpiece 4 2 7 4
Steele 4 2 2 1
Allot 4 1 10 1
Page 1 0 6 0
Barlow 4 0 19 2
Dobson 2 0 15 0
Sarfanes 2 0 7 0

Extras 27
Total 84 for 8

Sheff Utd

Page LBW Leiper 4
Smallpiece c Walton Lister 26
Steele Bld Carrick 15
Allott Not Out 10
Dobson c Parker Lister 1
Barlow Not Out 15

Parkin 4 1 6 0
Parker 2.1 0 8 0
Leiper 4 1 5 1
Carrick 4 0 27 1
Lister 4 0 18 2
Fox 1 0 14 0

Extras 14
Total 85 for 4