Wollaton CC 2nd XI v Southwell CC 1st XI

Two newly promoted teams met at Wollaton in the first game of the Division B season. Two close encounters last season suggested that this would be tight contest and so Southwell lined up a strong team, welcoming back John Richardson, offering a debut to Sid Morris and thanking Dan Sprawson for travelling back from Newcastle on his student budget.

Joe Fryer uncharacteristically lost the toss and Southwell were put into bat in overcast and slightly damp conditions. Tim Green and John Richardson strode out for the first time, eager to get the Southwell innings off to a good start. Despite promising signs, Richardson attempted a pull to a short one from George only to find mid-on and depart for 7. The extra effort saw George injured and removed from the attack as Fryer came in at 3. Green and Fryer worked hard in difficult conditions to build the foundations for the aggressive middle order. Despite a slow rate, mainly due to excellent Wollaton fielding and controlled bowling, the Southwell innings continued to tick along before Fryer snicked off for 21 with Southwell on 57-2. Green soon followed for 20 and Max Collins joined Chris Miller in the middle.

Collins and Miller worked hard to build an excellent partnership. Miller rotating well and a couple of sweetly struck slog sweeps from Collins increased the run rate considerably. Wollaton continued to rotate their bowlers to the advantage of Southwell as Miller cashed in on some loose bowling from Khan, providing entertainment to the freezing onlooking Southwell support who had made residence in the surprisingly comfortable football dugouts. Collins brought up his 50 but Miller fell just short of his, caught for 44 with Southwell on 185-4. An excellent 123 run partnership. Sid Morris and Collins continued to push the Southwell innings along and despite Collins falling for 69, Morris ensured that Southwell ended on 215-7 from their 48 overs. A very strong first innings which the Southwell bowlers greatly appreciated.

After an lovely tea and team talk from the skipper, Collins and Sprawson took the new ball as the slightly older of the Southwell fielders waddled around in their 20-odd layers. Collins bowled too well, consistently finding the guided edge or just missing and so was unable to pick up a wicket. He did, however, provide the pressure to help Dan Sprawson trap Andrew Bayley LBW. Continued teamwork from the two gave Sprawson his second wicket as Collins took a difficult high catch over his shoulder. Olly Stanley replaced Collins and immediately picked up his first wicket of the season as Andy Kirkwood drove low to mid-off. Sprawson taking a brilliant catch as the ball looked to drop well short of him, Wollaton finding themselves 44-3.

Fish and Youngman looked to build a similar partnership as seen in the Southwell innings as Wright and Rimmer were brought on. Wollaton reached 74 before Fish drove straight and was incredibly caught low down to his left by Wright off his own bowling. Having batted well in the second fixture last year, Southwell knew what to expect from the batsman at the other end, Youngman. A little tweak of the field for Rimmer saw Youngman fall for the trap and hole out to Sprawson in a midwicket noman's area. Wright picked up his second wicket and left Wollaton 97-6 but Southwell were still wary, knowing how deep Wollaton bat. Despite a strong partnership from Khan and Sharma, Wollaton were never up with the run rate and lost wickets towards the end of the innings to draw their run chase to a close.

Sharma, having used up his luck for the season, ended on 64 as Southwell failed to pick up the final wicket and win. Wollaton finishing on 198-9. A great start for Southwell who set out their stall for a strong season in what will be a very competitive league. The whole game was played in good spirits, well played to Wollaton and we look forward to welcoming them to Top Ground later on in the season.