Southwell CC 1st XI v Carrington CC 2nd XI

After a very difficult few weeks it was nice to see a stronger side set out, returning back from injury, holiday and speeding courses, against a Carrington team only 2 points behind Southwell at the start of the day. The scorching sun and solid looking wicket meant that when the skipper won the toss, the decision to bat first was an obvious one. Jonny Butler and Tim Green were the men selected to open the batting and strode out confidently with the promise to 'keep them out there for as long as possible'.

Unfortunately this was not to be the case as Green middled a cut straight at gully third ball, who somehow dropped it three times before finally clawing it up, centimetres from the ground. Greeny's frustration was evident as the Carrington fielder had luck on his side. John Richardson had fully learnt his lesson and would never speed again, or at least get caught. Some classy shots were played for a good looking 18 before a shorter ball failed to bounce and Richardson was left swatting flies as his middle stump went cartwheeling. Butler soon followed before Alex 'glass knee' Rainbow got off the mark and Rainbow didn't last much longer, LBW for 6. The 'solid on paper' Southwell top order were gone for 45.

Fryer and Rajan attempted to rebuild, Fryer taking advantage of some juicy leg-side full tosses. Rajan did an excellent job to stick around and, with some good running, Southwell reached 100 without the loss of an other wicket. On 46, just after snicking off from a no-ball, Fryer decided to play a shot that always looks good in his head but never actually works and was caught and bowled. Another mini collapse, helped only by 4 half volleys confidently put away by Rimmer, left the last 5 Southwell wickets gone for just 45 runs. Special mention must go to the catch by short cover of Rimmer as most spectators looked for the ball on the boundary, only to find it somehow stuck in the fielders hand. Southwell all out for 150, 60 short of the skipper's target.

An amazing tea was gratefully eaten, second and some thirds taken as the opposition continued their fasting. Huge credit must go to the Carrington players who fielded and bowled in that heat without any food or water.

Olly Stanley and Steve Wright took the new ball and Southwell knew that a few early wickets and pressure could cause an upset. Wrighty didn't disappoint and, in his second over, Ibraheem Khalil chopped on to his own stumps. Olly wasn't to be beaten and took his first wicket opening the bowling as Alam Khalil went back to a shorter ball keeping low and trapping him in front. Olly bowled with shape and control with the new ball and kept it tight as Adeel Arshad used his feet well against Wright at the other end. Despite boosting the score up to 78, Adil Khan was bowled by Wright for just 1 as the next wicket fell.

Despite wickets from part time bowler John Richardson and Dave Rimmer, Carrington always looked in control. Arshad trapped in front by Richardson for an excellent 58. Good contributions from Digwa and Ahmed brought the Carrington score to 130/4, only 21 needed for the win. Bowler rotation caused a slight panic for Carrington as 2 quick wickets fell, 2 LBW decisions for Rimmer and with the scores tied, Ahmed middled one straight to square leg. Tom Foster tactically putting down the catch to allow some excellent fielding by Olly Stanley to run out Iqbal in the confusion. Ahmed chanced his luck once too many and skied one off Wright to be calmly caught by Butler (despite a moment where all Southwell players stood still...). The winning runs were finally hit with Carrington 8 down and Southwell ruing the low total they had posted.

With a stag do next weekend, the end to Southwell's troubles doesn't seem too close as the loss sees them third from bottom with 69 points from 7 games. The skipper remains hopefully of a second half of the season revival, however, and moral remains high. A good net session is well needed on Tuesday - see you all there!