Final 2009 Match Report
September 24, 2009
Results for Sunday 20th September
Sunday 2nd XI v Wollaton (a)
As Madni conceded the final Sunday 1st XI fixture as they could not raise a side, the last embers of the 2009 season were played out by the Sunday 2nd XI away at Wollaton. Skipper Benters declared this to be his final game before retiring (only apparently to be tempted out of retirement on tour) and celebrated by winning the toss and choosing to bat first; bloody good job too really as he only had five players present at the ground at the scheduled match start time. Looking to hone the final averages, both openers, Dave Sumner and Simmo, went early and soon Plumtree were teetering on 68-7; those turning up late need hardly have bothered.
Benters somehow stuck around with Ken Allsop long enough to get the score up to 107-8 which brought Will Johnson to the wicket to join Soppy; no doubt inspired by the fearsome sight of Natty padded up, these two set about the home side’s attack to leave Plumtree on 195 for 8 after 40 overs, Soppy on 93* and Wej on 21*.
After the normal high quality Wollaton tea (this weekend free of charge to Chairman of Cricket Dave White after the extortion event of the season the previous week – you know who you are), the Wollaton side batted extremely well to overcome the total for the loss of only 4 wickets in 36 overs, all four wickets falling to Matt Snelgrove who finished an impressive season well.
The most memorable event of the day however was a beautifully choreographed dropped skier involving Natty and Simmo; in deference to the senior pro, Natty allowed Simmo first dibs at a catch that would have nestled easily in the eponymous Boycott’s granny’s pinny (no comments please on the outstanding and correct use of the apostrophe). Simmo however had other ideas and at the last minute stepped elegantly back to watch the ball fall at both their feet. Had not the two batsmen joined the entire Plumtree team and both umpires in falling from their feet in mirth, about six runs could have been run. To paraphrase Goochy on Gatting and the Warne ball of the century, had it been a bottle of Bud …..
So, the season came to a damp squib of an end but the late summer sunshine and another win in the Griffin quiz night sent your correspondent back to his winter hutch to dream of next season and more fun and frolics watching and reporting on Plumtree Cricket Club in all its undoubted glory. Despite the 1st XI’s relegation, this was another season where the club and its players developed and enjoyed good cricket and brotherhood, making the off season all the more difficult to endure.
A scorecard for the Wollaton game can be find by clicking here and the final league table here.
Stop Press: With regard to new player recruitment, does anyone know if Sol Campbell is a batsman or bowler as he now seems to be available?
