Seconds complete fine win

Scorecard

REPORT | by Pete Johnson

Well here we are then, the embers of the 2016 cricket season for the Second XI upon us. At times like this, the season’s end, I always feel that if they were a PA system available ‘Auld Lang Syne’ should be belted out over the tannoy as the players take the field.

County eased to a comprehensive victory in which they beat Derbyshire by 148 runs. A victory accomplished thanks to a good all-round team performance, Derbyshire never recovering from being 0-2 at the start of their quest for victory.

Another ‘cracking the flags’ day was on the agenda when the players took the field in unnatural warm and sunny weather for mid-September.

County resumed on their overnight 120-5, with Lewis Hill 64 not out, and Harry Swindells 12 not out, leading by 249 runs. County batted on in the morning for a further 14 overs before declaring their innings.

Swindells had added four to his overnight score when he was trapped lbw by seamer Ben Cotton. George Dockrell joined Hill, and was involved in a somewhat eventful over facing Greg Cork.

The Dublin dynamo edged the first ball to slip, the fielders appealed for the catch, Dockrell stood his ground, the Umpires conferred, not out was the decision as they ruled the catch had not ‘carried’. 

The next ball Dockrell cover drove Cork to the ropes, the following one was a no ball, and then three deliveries later, Cork had Dockrell (5) caught behind by Sam Hunt, a superb one-handed diving catch down the leg-side by the ‘keeper, the ball coming off the face of the bat.

Hill was keeping the board ticking over but not having a great deal of the strike. James Sykes (7) was caught at mid-on by Dan Gibbs off Cork, Sykes attempting to put a full toss into orbit. Gibbs had enough time to partake of a leisurely perusal of the morning papers whilst awaiting the descent of the ball.

Hill then unleashed three excellent boundaries; two cover drives and his trademark square cut. Hill (88) went caught behind by Hunt off Cork, a similar dismissal to that of Dockrell. Hill being caught of what was in effect a leg glance, full face of the bat and all that. A solid innings from the Lutterworth Legend that made up more than 50% of County’s total. Hill’s 88 coming from 144 balls (12x4/1x6).

Ollie Freckingham (5*) and Gavin Griffiths (4*) were at the crease when County declared on 172-9, setting Derbyshire 302 to win from a minimum of 80 overs, at a rate of 3.77 per over. Any hopes of Derbyshire challenging the asking total were all but extinguished after 12 balls. 

In the first over of the innings Ben Raine bowled Josh Clarke (0) with the fifth ball. Then with the final ball of the second over, Griffiths had Sam Kelsall (0) caught behind by Hill.

Ten minutes before lunch there was a change of personnel for County in the field. There had been some injuries up at Derby in the first team game, and Hill was summoned to travel up the M1 to relieve members of the coaching staff of fielding duties.

This had a knock-on effect at Desborough. Hill was captain and keeper for the 2s. Harry Swindells got padded up and took over keeping duties, Raine took over the captaincy, and, as a County player was off the field injured, Carl Crowe came on as a substitute fielder. Crowe rolled back the years with a spritely cameo performance in the 10 minutes remaining until lunch.

Derbyshire went into lunch on 25-2 from 10 overs, Chris Whittock 10* and Ben Slawinski 10*.  Needless to say with being one player down during the interval, the scorer managed to find an extra large plate to accommodate the extra food on offer.

After lunch Crowe exerted his authority and Jigar Naik took on the duties of substitute fielder. Derbyshire had progressed to 56 when Whittock (21) edged a delivery from Griffiths to Naik at first slip.

Skipper, and birthday boy, Raine then made an inspired bowling change bringing himself on at the Farm End, and picking up two quick wickets. First he bowled Slawinski (30) with a beauty, and shortly afterwards trapped first innings half-century maker Rob Hemmings (9) lbw. Derbyshire staring down the barrel on 72-5 from 30.3 overs.

It then took County a further 38.1 overs to prize the remaining five batsmen out, in the manner of a professional oyster eater.  Danish Hussain (2) was caught and bowled by Dockrell, and Derbyshire went into tea on 89-6 from 38 overs. Cork 17* and Ben Cotton 0*.

In the third over after tea, Cotton (0) was caught behind by Swindells off Dockrell, 94-7. Cork was blocking with the accomplishment of a person on Twitter who does not want any followers.

Cork (25 from 63 balls) finally went caught at mid-on by Tom Wells off Dockrell, 101-8 from 44.2 overs.

We then had a partnership of 16.5 overs between Sam Hunt and Rob Peat, it was all about defending, as the scoreboard all but ground to a halt. They had added 33 runs from 101 balls when Peat went lbw to Griffiths.

It was now desperate for Derbyshire in Desborough, but a bloke called Dan (Gibbs) strode to the wicket. Derbyshire started the last hour on 140-9. Zak Chappell was summoned to bowl the fifth over of the last 16, and with his fourth ball he trapped Gibbs (10) in front.

Hunt was undefeated on 29 from 83 balls, a good effort from the youngster, who tailored his batting to the occasion. Derbyshire were all out for 153 from 68.4 overs, Leicestershire therefore winning by 148 runs.  

Yet again a sincere thank you to all the volunteers at Desborough Town CC for accommodating us not only for the past three days, but for nine other days earlier in the season too.

A special mention to Mick for all his hard work, not to mention overloading the scorers with regular deliveries of tea and coffee. To Wayne, Justin, and Tony for all their hard work on the ground. Also to Elaine ‘The Queen of the Kitchen’ - a cricket team, and especially the scorer, marches on its stomach. A top effort by all concerned.

Well that’s it then the last rites have been given to the 2016 season for our Second XI. It does not seem five minutes ago since the Second XI played their first match of the season, a two-day pre season Friendly against Oxford University at The Parks. As I recall the first day of that game was a balmy Spring day, but day two was played in arctic conditions in late March, before the clocks were put forward by an hour.

Before signing off for the season, sincere thanks to all the players who have represented the Second XI this season. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you all, and recording everyone’s performance (that should see me right for a couple of pints).

Very best wishes for the future to everyone who has represented the Second XI this season, and special thoughts to players who will be moving on to new challenges next season.

We have had three coaches passing on their expertise and guidance to the 2s this season, initially Pierre De Bruyn, and then for the majority of the season Nic Pothas, and latterly Carl Crowe. I have witnessed the work these blokes do at first hand, and they leave no stone unturned, and give their absolute all to the cause. At home matches any injury problems have been efficiently dealt with by Simon ‘The Phys’.

Thanks to Jen Wilks for all the unseen work that she does, hotel bookings, transport arrangements etc. These things don’t just ‘happen’. Also to Dan Nice, who is available 24/7 to put articles on the website, and update the score on Twitter, they are only a couple of things amongst the multitude of tasks that Dan does. I know he is a very modest kind of bloke, and sincerely hope that he does not ‘edit out’ my sincere appreciation of what he does. We are a team both on and off the field, Jen and Dan do much to contribute to that ethos.

Finally, thank you to all the spectators who have taken time out to come along to watch the 2s, and also to everyone out there who has taken time to read my ramblings, I hope my despatches from the front line have kept you up to date with events.

In closing I just hope that Jamie Vardy spends as much time in the box in the next few months as I have done in the past few months. If so, City are in for a good season! Great result in Belgium last night!

Cheers all, very sincerely,

Pete