Seconds run out of time
Thu 21 Jul 2016
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
A lovely fresh summer morning was in evidence when we arrived at Desborough for the final day of this SEC encounter. The thunderstorm of yesterday evening had certainly lifted the humidity, and muggy feel to the air.
I was on parade early doors, but the hard working Desborough Town CC groundstaff were eagerly beavering away tending the vast array of greensward that was at their disposal.
A notable absentee of past weeks graced us with his presence today, the Right Honourable Christopher Stone was in his usual ‘pole position’ when play commenced. If sightscreens could speak the aforementioned may well have been reported as a missing person.
Chris had a loyal band of Second XI regulars for company, familiar faces seen on a regular basis at Second XI games. To each and every one of you, your support and attendance is very much appreciate by all the players and staff. However, the Lady Rosemary was missing, reported to be in the Cheltenham area at some cricket match or other.
We witnessed an enthralling day’s cricket that went down to the very last ball. Highlights of the day was a chanceless century from Lewis Hill, a sparkling half-century from James Sykes, and important wicket taking bowling performances from Rob Sayer, Rob Taylor, Ollie Freckingham, Aadil Ali and Jigar Naik. In fact more highlights than you would see in a hairdressing studio.
County resumed on 88-3, leading MCCU by 128 runs, the not out batsmen being Lewis Hill 30 and Michael Burgess 9.
Kamau Leverock had one ball to bowl to complete the 19th over that was interrupted by the thunderstorm of the previous evening. I said to my esteemed scoring colleague Q, that Leverock sounds like one of those areas you hear about in the Shipping Forecast on Radio 4.
Goodness gracious did I unearth a supreme talent with that comment. Q proceeded to rattle of the majority of the 30 shipping areas around our cherised isle in clockwise order. He went from South East Iceland to Trafalgar, and from Biscay to Bailey in the blink of an eye. It is definitely his party piece. Keep a look out for the untapped talent that is Q, as Simon Cowell will no doubt be auditioning him for Britain’s Got Talent.
Right, back to the cricket. Only 17 had been added to the overnight total when Burgess (16) was bowled by Westphal. Zak Chappell (0) then played on to Jack Grundy in the next over. Zak leaving the stable door open for ‘the horse’ to take advantage of.
Rob Sayer joined Hill, and the pair added a solid partnership of 67. Hill was playing a delightful array of shots all around the wicket and went to his 50 (8x4) from 63 balls with the score on 126-5 from 29.1 overs. The pair’s 50 partnership came up from 64 balls.
Sayer (29) then went caught and bowled to spinner Jack McIver. James Sykes joined Hill, and the pair took County into lunch on 217-6 from 49 overs. Hill 94* Sykes 19*. Just after lunch their 50 partnership came up from 62 balls.
The next milestone was Hill posting a wonderful century from 131 balls. The pint-sized pocket dynamo hitting 12 fours in the process. Hill was going through his full repertoire savagely cutting any ball with width, reverse sweeping, and driving with aplomb.
Meanwhile his trusty wingman Sykes was feasting on the bowling of spinners McIver and Thomson. He hoisted Thomson for 3 maximums and McIver for 2. The graduates having no degree of success against the man from the University of Life.
Sykes went to his 50 (1x4/5x6) from 70 balls with the score on 277-6 from 57.3 overs. Hill’s innings came to an end when he did an almighty reverse sweep off McIver. Charlie Lowen fielding on the cover boundary, and not keeping wicket, took an extremely good catch inches from the ground, diving forward.
Hill went for 117 from 140 balls. With the power he showed, the Lutterworth Legend must have forearms like ship anchors. With the dismissal of Hill County declared their innings on 283-7, Sykes 50*.
MCCU were challenged with scoring 324 to win from a minimum of 54 overs. Steve Bullen and Mo Asad opened up for MCCU. Bullen (12) was first to go caught at slip by Naik off Sayer. The score on 27-1. Norris (4) soon followed being comprehensively bowled offering no shot to a delivery from Freckingham, 34-2.
Asad (20) then became a second victim for Freckingham gliding one down the leg-side for ‘flypaper’ hands Michael Burgess to snaffle behind the stumps. 51-3. Good to see Freckingham pick up a couple of wickets, big hearted player who gives his all (that will be £10 please that you owe me Ollie if you are reading this).
With the score still on 51, and in the last over before tea, County picked up their 4th wicket when Basil Akram (0) was caught at cover by Chappell off Naik.
The students now had a severe examination on their hands and went into the Tuck Shop (Tea) on 51-4 from 18.4 overs. Just after tea, at 4.05pm. two formations of Red Arrows flew past to the side of the ground. The Umpires, being very strict disciplinarians, did not allow County any minutes for our observation of the aerial acrobatics.
Lowen was standing firm whilst wickets were falling around him. In the 5th over after tea, Semhi (3) was caught at short leg by Tom Wells off Sayer. MCCU now 68-5 with a minimum of 30.1 overs remaining.
Lowen went to his 50 (8x4) from 67 balls, with the score on 100-5 from 35.3 overs. Just one further run had been added when Rob Taylor bowled McIver (9) with an absolute snorter. Taylor sprinting off in the direction of point whilst casting a gleeful look at the rearranged woodwork. 101-6 from 36.4 overs.
MCCU entered the last hour, with a minimum of 16 overs to be bowled, on 106-6. Lowen’s patient knock came to an end when he was on 57, trapped in front by Aadil Ali. The score on 123-7.
With the score the same Sayer bowled first innings half-century maker Thomson (15), who offered no shot. County were now sniffing blood with MCCU on 123-8 with a minimum of 7.4 overs remaining.
Skipper Wells had posted 4, yes 4, short mid-offs, and a silly mid-off, and more short legs than a nest of rickety tables. Leverock was at the crease, no my good friend Q did not go through his party piece again, he was too busy zipping up his anorak.
County had got through 16 overs in the last hour, but still had time for one more over. With the 4th ball of the last over of the match ‘golden arm’ Taylor rattled one into Leverock’s stumps.
With two balls remaining, the last man comes to the crease: Grundy ‘the horse’, a photo finish is on the cards. Grundy blocks the last 2 balls in classic style, and MCCU finish on 144-9. A grossly good game of cricket. Leicestershire 13 points, MCCU 12 points.
Again sincere thanks to all the volunteers at Desborough Town CC for all their hard work in accommodating us again. Special mention to Mick, Wayne, Justin, Jason and Ian for all their work on the ground, not to mention the drenching they experienced during yesterday's thunderstorm.
Sterling work by Elaine on the catering side, a template for hard work (that’s got me an extra portion next week), ably assisted by Hayley. Just one final mention to Q, a most enjoyable three days with a top bloke, he has been here, there and everywhere following Northampton Town so we had much common ground with me having similar experiences with LCFC. Q, whenever I hear that Shipping Forecast your face will appear!
