We don’t like cricket, We love it!. To paraphrase the (musically) most successful Cricket Club ever – 10. Maybe one for us older folk?

But would cricket love us back?

Clumber Park is easy to find, let’s face it – it’s a big place - the cricket club less so easy. I had picked up Captain Butler from High School where he had been doing CCF. I interpreted that to mean Cricket Comes First and we set off in plenty of time only to be delayed by traffic and poor navigation by myself. We got there just in time to find Emily had won the toss and we were batting.

The setting was fantastic, although toilet facilities were not up to much (see later). The weather, always getting a mention in these reports, was grey and threatening. As a result the match was agreed to be 18 overs a side.

We set off at a reasonable rate with several making a contribution. Bowlers were struggling with their line so 21 extras did help us reach a decent total of 87 for 5. No one could really develop from good starts and I guess it did feel a little light given the conditions. Nevertheless we had a total to defend.

Johnny 17, Jake 10, Eliot 14, Zac 9 and Josh 13 not out all contributed.

We came out firing, but the pace generated backfired somewhat with Clumber Park getting 25 off the first two overs.  Johnny made a quick change to bring Emily on to take the pace off. Toilets?  The “uncomfortable” comfort break she was forced to have seemed to have made her even more determined than ever. She and Greg bowled very well and did give some hope but they were always ahead of the game and reached the target with 3 wickets down and more than 2 overs to spare.

Emily 4-2-14-1, Greg 4-0-20-1 and Johnny 3-0-11-1 the wicket takers.

Each of the team will have learned from this, as concentration and some decision making could have been better. Concentrate on the league I say! Although we do have another cup match on 2nd June.

As good citizens we followed Grimmers to make sure the gate was locked on the South side of the park. It was, so we drove all the way round the park to the exit and made our way home.

Cricket?  Yes we love it still and I do think it loves us back!

Team
Johnny Butler
Matty Bowles
Jake Saleh
Eliot Checkley
Zac Ashworth
Josh Cottam
Rob Brown
Joe Stutchbury
Greg Behl
Emily Stutchbury
Richard Brock

Thanks to Stuart for Umpiring and Ted for scoring