Champions - week 22 Thurnscoe (h)
Nostell St Oswald vs Thurnscoe Institute 12th September 09
Arriving at the final game of the season we knew 4 points would claim us the league title in our 1st year in the PDCL. Its been a roller coaster as always at Nostell but we abandoned all thoughts of 4 points and set our sights on trying to achieve a full 10 point victory for the 15 time of the season. Finally I won a toss and had no hesitation in batting on a solid looking deck with the customary huge outfield we knew scoreboard pressure could tell in the 2nd innings.
The years defiant opening pair of Wanna and big Rich got us under way, taking us to 43 as big Rich had the oppo running for shelter once more (just like the return fixture at Thurnscoe) with a 6, 4, 4, 4 combo. A toe end of the bat ended his innings for 28 but not to worry at Matt joined the king in the middle. Ok so being Nostell, Wanna defence was broken by what must have been a nuclear attack as he was clean bowled for the 1st time ever playing a defensive lunge. In strode Mal & as always failed to spot the scoreboard situation hitting ball 2 for 4. Matt decided he hadn’t recorded a duck in 09 & soon rectified that issue and after spending 6 overs at the crease at Brodsworth the previous week Malcolm decided enough was enough departing for 11 with a heave across the line. I tried to stick around but got stumped off the keepers pad or box but this only brought the captain to the crease! Slick and Stevie added a excellent 47 for the 6th wicket which enabled a combo of our Dale (1st ball 2 runs, 2nd ball 6 runs, 3rd ball OUT), Uncle Ken with yet another creditable knock 0f 19no, heff and JC (stumping in Jason’s absense) to take us to what we knew was a match winning score of 170 for 9. Still 180 would have been better
After declaring he’d run more than he intended during his innings slick offered the new ball to Uncle Ken and myself. Thankfully & for the 1st time in a while I managed to claim the end I wanted and continue some form from the previous week removing the dangerous Whitehurst caught low down in cover by the King who rather enjoyed his victim. I got the next batter to go who was clearly unlucky as an inswinger actually worked before uncle Ken cleaned bowl the dangerous opening bat who twisted himself into the ground trying to hit the ball anywhere else than cover! With Thurnscoe reduced to 60 for 5ish a fightback started. Stubbornly Thrunscoe eeked out runs at regular intervals before the introduction of big Rich and less pace on the ball worried the batsman to surrender!
One wicket now needed for the title and in next to no time Lee clean bowled the next victim giving us the league title, a huge ish cheer rang round the old ground. A fantastic effort over 22 hard weeks. One the club can be proud of
The final 3 partnerships were strong as Thurnscoe needed 40 off the last 3 overs leaving us in the box seat. Uncle Ken picked up another with 3 in the match for himself, the young captain picking up the same and fittingly it was Slick Lee who took the final wicket to fall. His tally for the year 88,000 league wickets at 0.000605. Ten points in the bag
A celebratory ‘free’ bar on after the game it seemed an appropriate time to hand out this years awards to the winner(s). Despite a stewards enquiry to the players player Lee came out on top just pipping Jonny ‘the mouth’ Bravo. More beer later and a chance to thank the people who deserve it most at the club. Steve Reynolds recieved his duck award but also a big thanks from us all for his tiresome work, Dave Tarbatt for his sterling car boot fundraising (amongst various others efforts), Eric Jubb for his relentless cutting of the garmil lane grass (its a big field) and finally to unsung hero Kath ‘Diamond’ who has spent an estimated 47% of her life at the club. Many thanks to all
So 2009 brought another pot to Nostell, 2010 promises to be a stiff task in the strong division 2 but one we all fancy a good crack at
The young captain
