Wollaton CC 2nd XI v Southwell CC 1st XI

In the return fixture of the excellent first game of the season, Wollaton traveled to a struggling Southwell side who had not won since May. In what seems to be a very common situation, Southwell fielded a team with a large number of younger/2nd XI players - Wollaton seemed to be in a similar position as the summer holiday season really kicked in. Disappointingly, for the first time in 5 games, the skipper lost the toss and Southwell were put into bat.

Joe Fryer became Tim Green's 4th opening partner but did not last long as he nicked off again to a rising delivery from the excellent Muhammad Riaz. Green,Behl and Ogrizovic did not last much longer, the former the only one to trouble the scorers. Foster soon followed; at 32/5 and struggling to score from the controlled Wollaton bowling, Southwell's innings had stalled before it had even got going. In his first appearance for the 1's this season, McCarthy stepped up to the plate. Brilliantly supported by the comfortable looking Sam Barber, Dev batted with patience, waiting to put away the bad ball. Despite struggling to run 2's (personalized fitness regime is needed!), Dev reached his 50 with another well-struck boundary, one an excellent slog sweep for 6.

Barber's resistance finally fell (24) with Southwell on 103 and Sharath Rajan picked up where he left off. Along with McCarthy, Rajan brought the Southwell score to 135/7 before being stumped/caught behind with one ball to go. Out stepped the confident Kev Brown to face the final delivery of the innings, an excellent yorker, however, made sure that he did not add to the score (should have been a ramp shot...) and Southwell ended on 135/8 from their 42 overs, McCarthy ending on an innings saving 64 from 90 balls.

Tea seems to be the best thing that Southwell CC can offer visiting clubs at the time being and was enjoyed by all - thanks to Beth and team. 135 was a defendable total if early wickets were taken and so the Southwell bowlers went out with something to bowl at.

Sharath Rajan and Steve Wright opened up with the instructions to keep it tight and let pressure build on the Wollaton batsmen. Both bowled with control but there was little for the seamers in the wicket and neither Wollaton opener looked troubled. Charlie Ogrizovic was brought on to find some turn and bowled well as Rahul Rajan supported him from the other end. It was Rajan to make the breakthrough, Joel Gibney playing on and bowled for 39. Sunil Sharma was the new batsman in but did not last long as a risky 2 was taken to McCarthy at long-on who fizzed in his throw to the bowlers end. Ogrizovic took it cleanly (how are your hands!?) and calmly threw to the keepers end where Sharma was run out by 2 yards.

Despite changing the bowling around, introducing McCarthy and then Wright again, Rattray and Kirkwood batted sensibly and Southwell could not apply the necessary with the runs on the board to really trouble Wollaton. The only silver lining was the bowling point picked up when Rattray (58) nicked off to Wright, trying to win the game with a big hit, with the scores tied.

Another loss for Southwell keeps them at the bottom of Division B and, with 4 games to play, struggling to see a way out. Carrington next week provides an opportunity for points and hopes that there will be celebrations all round as vice-skipper Alex Rainbow gets married on the same day.