Southwell 1st XI v Radcliffe 2nd XI

On a glorious summers day Southwell 1st XI welcomed not only the opposition, Radcliffe 2nd XI, but also the class of 86 on their 30 year reunion day. Having dropped down the table due to no results and a couple of recent draws, Southwell looked to make their final push for promotion against the only team to have beaten them so far this season. Despite losing the toss, Southwell were put into bat on a brilliantly prepared wicket with the sun beating down.

The innings got off to the worst possible start as a mix up between Joe Fryer and Charlie Ogrizovic saw Ogrizovic run out by half the wicket before even facing a ball. Alex Rainbow joined Fryer at the crease and both began to build a solid partnership, Rainbow continuing on his good form from his 85* in the previous game. Good running between the wickets and beautifully timed drives from Rainbow saw Southwell hit 50 and then 100 without the loss of another wicket. Rainbow brought up his second 50 in two games without giving a chance and looked to push on against Harbottle as the bowling from Simon Ward kept it tight from one end. Rainbow's patience was tested a little too far as he charged down the wicket and was stumped for a very well worked 61. Miller and Fryer worked together to push the score along but Fryer managed to run himself out after right after reaching his first 50 for the 1's this season.

McCarthy came and went for 4 and wickets began to fall as Southwell attempted to build on the foundations left early in the innings. Tight bowling made this difficult and Miller (20) fell to a dubious LBW (aren't they always for left handers?). The final stages of the Southwell innings saw good running from Dave Rimmer who ended on 27* from 27 balls and some good hitting from Behl and Foster. Southwell ended on 209/7 which they felt may have been 30 runs short considering the wicket.

Critics corner began to fill up as another excellent tea was eaten and the beer began to flow. The pressure was now on Southwell to perform for the class of 86 who looked on expectantly.

Bowling his first spell for the Southwell 1's this season, McCarthy opened with Sprawson and found good shape into the right handers, bowling the potentially dangerous Ward for a 15 ball duck. Sprawson, at the other end, continued to look dangerous but found that his luck had dried out as he continuously beat the bat without any reward. Rainbow was brought on for the tight McCarthy and carried on the excellent bowling, picking up the wicket of Tom Boothand later Hari Patel with and excellent slower ball.

Steve Wright replaced Sprawson and, as has happened so often, bowled with control and swing immediately picking up two wickets in his first double wicket maiden over. Slow batting and wickets falling at regular intervals gave a good spectacle for the growing crowd and, as Stuart Mills was run out from a direct hit from Sprawson at mid-on, Radcliffe's innings began to stutter to a halt before it had even started. Wright ended with figures of 10.3 3 18 6 as Radcliffe were bowled out for 87 within 38 overs.

An emphatic win for Southwell which now boosts them up to 4th with two games in hand over Gotham in third who they play next week. The league is in the hands of Southwell and Wollaton now with both teams looking to win their remaining games and fill the two promotion places.