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Featherstone clinch nail biting win in
tight game.
Londt lost the toss yet again on a cloudless
April afternoon and Featherstone elected
to bat. It proved a good toss to win for
them as two of their players turned up late.
Stainborough struck early when Rushforth
bowled the Featherstone No.2 with the first
ball of the second over. The batsmen bizarrely
appeared to watch a loose long hop straight
onto his stumps. Featherstone's Australian
captain, Miller played watchfully for his
38 and steadied the innings with Haster
(23) before Rushforth had Haster held by
a startled Selwood at Third Man.
Rushforth appeared to extract some life
from the April pitch hitting Miller on the
elbow. The "magic" spray was called for
and a dubious looking rusty canister was
fetched from the bowls of the dressing room.
This was required again a few overs later.
The batsmen ran through for an easy single
but on reaching the non striking end the
batsmen collapsed in a heap after knocking
his kneecap with his bat. The spray came
out yellowy brown with a noxious smell and
rumours were spread that it had a bromide
like appearance. A new first aid kit may
be required before the team starting losing
their libido.
Stainborough let off several batsmen with
a total of 5 dropped chances, 2 of which
really should have been snaffled. The introduction
of wily veteran Archer brought wickets in
a miserly spell of 10 - 1 - 29 - 5. Featherstone
took the score from 114-6 after 35 overs
to 180-8 at the close with some good hitting
and hare like running between the wickets.
Adam Perry (46) batted well at No. 5 supported
by Dave Hions (24) and James Robinson (26).
After some rather sticky chocolate cake
Stainborough commenced their reply but not
before a valuable team talk from Londt.
It was not quite Henry V but went along
the lines of valuing your wicket etc etc.
Pepper departed early LBW for 5 but Gilfillan
and Singh progressed sweetly to 40-1 after
7 overs with a flurry of boundaries. Tight
bowling from Dan Robinson (15 - 1 -48 -
2) and Dave Hions (10 - 3 - 24 -3) lead
to the departure of Singh (20) and then
Gilfillan aided by some Sri Lankan style
appealing.
Captain Londt did not practice what he
preached departing second ball with a slash
to gully. Kershaw and Ward soon followed
leaving Stainborough languishing at 72 -
6 and all but out of the game. A stand of
67 from Archer (61) and Rushforth (14) brought
some respectability to the score and this
was added to by some quick scoring from
McFadyen (29).
Stainborough were left requiring 15 off
the last two overs. The match was finally
poised and the fielding side nervous which
may have explained the lone appeal for a
catch behind from the square leg boundary
fielder. 5 were required off the last 3
balls when McFadyen was left stranded in
a run out going for the second. No. 11 Selwood
strode as only Luke can to the wicket needed
4 off two balls. A dot ball from Robinson
who bowled exceptionally well at the end
and a scampered 2 left the home side tantalisingly
close and earned a relieved Featherstone
the victory.
The teams retired to the newly licensed
"Cutters Caribbean Bar" for refreshments
and some of Mrs Miggin's finest burgers
and chips. Many things were discussed and
the author regaled the skipper about the
various properties of Japanese Knotweed
before deciding to get out a bit more. The
highlight of the evening was seeing Richard
Mills in day-glow yellow ski boot inners
"because my feet are cold" was the excuse.
Finally thanks to the "bloggers" of Whitley
Bridge for their comments about last weeks
report. The intention is to create a light
hearted and hopefully humorous report of
Saturdays proceedings for Stainborough club
members not a newspaper report so I make
no apologises for the long-winded or "rose-tinted"
view.
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