Dave Kershaw's review of the Second XI's 2004 season

The second team season began with a fine 5 wicket victory at Sprotborough with Dave Exley's unbeaten 56 guiding us home. Post match talk of a promotion challenge and the possibility of installing a "state of the art" all-weather practice facility, proved one thing for certain - that Iyingabrau lager does strange things to your mind.

Following a washout at home to Frickley and a couple of drubbings at the hands of Bentley and Old Sharlston, we progressed to the 2nd round of the cup after beating Monk Bretton in a close game on a wicket that was best described as good to soft with the odd heavy patch. Another comprehensive defeat away to Royston was followed by a final over defeat to the eventual champions Hensall, who were delighted to have taken maximum points from a game that could have gone either way.

By now we were in a desperate need of a win and this seemed unlikely after being bowled out for 111 with 10 men at Featherstone, who in reply were cruising to victory at 67-4 when the game was turned on its head thanks to an inspired spell of bowling from Kev Grimshaw. 5 -15 off 9 overs saw Featherstone collapse to 92 all out and we had finally won again. Defeat at Allerton Bywater the following day ended the cup run to allow us to concentrate on the league.

Our next game was a visit from our very good friends from Askern who set us a total of 165 to win after being asked to bat first. Our opening pair, Messrs. Hall and Grange were sent out under strict instructions to "be patient" and "see off the new ball". Not only did they see off the new ball but they managed to get rid of two spares as well during an opening partnership of 108 in 16 overs. Chris Hall departed for 50 in time to open the club, and leave Richard Grange to see us to a nine wicket victory with a brilliant unbeaten 81. Two wins in a row !! Two in a row should have become three had it not been for four suicidal run outs at home to Darton which resulted in a 10 run defeat. A washout at Hundill Hall when we were in a strong position at 197-6 was followed by a home defeat by Streethouse and then the completion of a league double over Sprotborough thanks to a stunning half century from the Captain ! Another victory was to follow at home to Old Sharlston on what turned out to be a memorable day for different reasons for yours truly. A well earned 2 points from a difficult game at Frickley was followed by an 8 wicket win at home to Royston thanks to an unbeaten 75 from Chris Hall.

Hensall away on a red hot August afternoon with only 10 men is not my idea of fun and our task was made even harder when we were reduced to 9 men when Jonathan Pepper was advised by West Yorkshire Police and his legal team not to travel to the game as work to widen the roads and fill in the ditches close to the ground were not yet finished !. As expected we were well beaten despite a swashbuckling unbeaten 56 from Phil Campbell who did not have to be persuaded to talk us through his innings over a post match beer or two.

With only 4 games to go we still needed 1 win to be sure of survival. After snatching defeat from certain victory at home to Featherstone and a losing draw at Darton, our final home game against Hundill Hall became a must win. A season high total of 205-6 with Jonathan Pepper top scoring with 85 proved to be more than enough despite a spirited reply from our opponents.

The final game of the season was the usual trip to Streethouse which saw the re-introduction of the once annual "Slug Race". A top class field of Pepper, Baughan, Crutch, Colin Exley and Hargreaves lined up for this 22 yard dash, and the latter helped by a slightly suspicious start showed his rivals a clean pair of heels. However, a time of 1m 40 secs into a slight head wind tells its own story ! By the way we lost the game when at 109-9 with the scores tied a Streethouse youngster dressed in what could only be described as "clubbing gear" hit the winning runs. A slightly animated cry of "stick that up your a*!& " showed just what it meant to that young man !

All in all a slightly frustrating, but very enjoyable first season as Captain of the second team. At times we played some great cricket but then followed it with some not so great cricket. The good thing is that we always win and lose as a team and enjoy many a light ale afterwards. Too often last season we failed to field 11 players, a problem that hopefully will not arise this coming season due to the return of some old faces and the introduction of some new ones who we welcome to the club. In addition there will also be the emergence of some very promising youngsters from the Dean Coupland Cricket Academy which looks sure to be a success again this season if watching their Winter nets is anything to go by. These lads are the future of Stainborough Cricket Club and it is important thet we all encourage and help them wherever possible. I am looking forward to the new season as the club now seems to be heading in the right direction again as is highlighted by our determination to finally install electricity to the pavilion and by the introduction of our very own website.

Finally I would like to wish Bobby and his first team the very best of luck for this upcoming season.

Dave Kershaw
2nd XI Captain.