Southwell 1st XI v Gotham1st XI

Gotham arrived at a sunny Top Ground and both teams warmed up expectant of their first cricket in what had seemed like months of rain. Due to the lack of use, the wicket had begun to form cracks and Fryer was delighted to win the toss and put Gotham into bat. Another intense game of hand ball (shortened due to the heat and general lack of fitness) before both teas stepped out in this important clash in Division C.

Joe Fryer and Tim Green gave Southwell a steady start before Fryer nicked off, followed next ball by Alex Rainbow to the same shot. Green also departed LBW soon after as Paul Blatherwick dismantled the Southwell top order. Chris Miller and Jim Hemstock settled the ship well with careful and considered batting to bring the Southwell innings back under control. As Miller and Hemstock both departed for 25 and 26 respectively, McCarthy and Foster pushed the score along before Dave Rimmer hit an excellent 50 from 44 balls in a period of aggressive batting that brought the Southwell total to 180 all out at the close. A very respectable and defendable score considering the wobbly start. Sprawson was run out towards the end of the innings as he was so fast the umpire didn't see him run past the stumps before the bails came off...

Rainbow and Sprawson opened the bowling for Southwell but struggled to find a consistent line against the two left handed Gotham openers. Rainbow, however picking up the important wicket of Blatherwick with a perfectly executed slower ball. Stanley was brought on the replace Rainbow and immediately swung the ball away, causing the left-hander difficulty. As Rimmer was brought on, North batted well for 30 but wickets continued to fall at the other end as no batsman really showed the ability to fend off the turn and bounce provided by the wicket (and I guess a little bit of work from the guy at the other end strolling in and flicking his fingers...). Tom Foster pouched three easy chances in at short extra as Wright lured the batsmen into false shots to finish with figures of 10 overs, 1 maiden, 3/33. The final wicket fell to the MOTM Rimmer LBW after a long appeal and Southwell won by 43 runs. A comprehensive win showing real strength in depth in batting and bowling not seen from other teams faced this season. Rim finished with 6/34 from his 15.4 overs and secured his spot as the genuine all-rounder he insisted he was at the start of the season - well batted and bowled, a quality, match winning performance!

The win takes Southwell above Gotham to 4th but wins for Kirkby Portland and Wollaton mean that Southwell are still 23 points off top spot but with a game in hand. Important fixtures in the next few weeks will determine the rest of the season as holidays begin to kick in and availability may stumble.