If you chose to ignore the extra poundage and occasional streak of grey hair on show you could have been forgiven for thinking there was a cup or league game occurring on the top square on Sunday, such was the intensity shown by Bard's boys at the end of a really tight encounter. Whilst the social aspect of the game is always prevalent on the Sabbath many of the home fielders talked about a 'proper' game of cricket at the close of play.
Despite odds heavily to the contrary the skipper won the toss, indeed so shocked was he at actually winning the spin he seemed quite unprepared for the decision he was then asked to make. Witnessing Vice Captain Sideshow playing extravagant pulls and cuts on the balcony he took the hint and opted for pad rash o'clock, however it was unclear if this act of 'air cricket' was actually based on the chance of more recovery time from the night before.
Alas Ken Pounds' outing with the bat was short lived, indeed he could feel mightily aggrieved that the visiting skipper displayed considerable bad form by placing a fielder where he scores the majority of his runs. In any event a misjudged drive saw his poles disturbed in no uncertain manner. The real story though surrounded the partnership that occurred when the Professor had left the crease.
Imran Mir has been improving week on week and this time scored a lovely 60. At the other end new boy Dominic Cook (68), a mop headed product of , immediately showed a most un Sunday knowledge of the coaching manual and footwork more akin to Strictly Come Dancing than Rugby Special. Safe to say his appearances at this level won't last long into next season.
When Dominic finally fell it became time for Sideshow himself to see what he could do. Fully expecting a brief cameo of swiping the home balcony were actually shown a composed innings that produced the third fifty of the innings. For a Sunday XI that's about as rare as rocking horse manure. Kibworth closed on 210.
Much in keeping with the nature of their batting the bowlers kept up their side of the bargain. They generally bowled tight lines, fielded with good concentration and even when Gumley were 96 for 1 shortly after drinks they were never able to accelerate sufficiently. It was turning out to be comfortably the best display of the season.
Gumley required 70 off 10 which became 25 off 3 overs with 3 wickets in hand. Any result was still possible but some close umpiring calls had fired up the home fielders and there was real intent from the Kibworth lads. The clapping and encouragement was coming from all over and not just the usual suspects. The game was still friendly but there was an edge on the park, somehow the result seemed to really matter.
The equation came down to 20 from 2 overs and Bob Beevers to bowl the penultimate over from the Pavillion End. Bob, never one to question his own ability, took the responsibility but also some long handle and it became 7 from the final over. All eyes rested on Harry 'Windy' Miller.
It says a lot for his development that Harry was given the responsibility of bowling the last over by his skipper, especially when the match was so tight, but if he felt nerves he absolutely didn't show them. The eight wicket fell off the third ball of the over and that probably sounded the death knell of Gumley victory chances. 5 were required off the last ball of the match with Harry and wicketkeeper Dominic the only ones within 60 yards of the bat. A slice to the cover boundary fielder saw Gumley end three runs short.
By the rules agreed at the start by the captains the result actually goes down as a draw but it certainly didn't feel like it at the end. The usual Sunday cast of cricketers don't normally get involved in games like this and it was smiles all around in the dressing room at the end.
Champagne Moment:- The look of sheer surprise on the face of Dominic as he came short in expectation of a throw from a junior fielder, only to watch the sub hurl it over his head and over the stumps. The fielder, as you might have guessed, was Fido
Grim Sight Of The Day:- Kibworth's own leathery legend Dicky Barkworth walking to the shower with his own distinct two tone skin effect on display. Torso and legs a dark brown shade and a backside possibly sponsored by The Milky Bar Kid.
Brigstock II vs Kibworth 4ths
Saturday 8th August 2009
Kibworth won by 8 runs
After last weeks rained off fixture it was nice for the 4th team to feel the sun on their backs as they headed for Brigstock just south of Corby for their latest NCL Division 12 game. The prospect of moving to the Leicestershire league for next season certainly hasn’t reduced the desire of the team to perform well this year and we were looking to consolidate our second place behind Rushden against one of the division’s relegation candidates. Brigstock is a picturesque ground set in a pretty Northamptonshire village but one thing that doesn’t spoil the view are any covers and as a result the pitch for the day was little more than rolled mud. Against a home side who amassed at total of 42 last week it was clear that this was a day on which to field first, so obviously we lost the toss. Holidays had resulted in skipper Mike Wilkins having one of those weeks when the search for a team resulted in some unlikely selections and so it was that ‘Fido’ Matthews found himself striding out to open the innings with ‘Hon Sec’ Bleebs playing his second league game of the season. Any thoughts of a 200+ total pretty much vanished when the first ball plopped onto a length and made a small crater before bounding to about the height of an ants reproductive equipment. The risk on such wickets is always to play your shot too soon and sure enough in the third over Fido departed having chipped to Mid On off the leading edge. Enter John Pounds who immediately looked a class act and mixed watchful defence with a couple of strong drives down the ground. Both opening bowlers used the helpful conditions well and after ten overs KCC had amassed 22-1. It took a change of bowling to bring further success as Bleebs lobbed a catch to point off, you’ve guessed it – the leading edge for an innings of 2 which the batsman would describe as watchful but Ed Bale would describe as ‘tedious’. The secretary had barely taken his seat before Sam Pole joined him for a much quicker but two runs less productive days work. Imran Mir briefly looked good before he lobbed up yet another leading edge catch to leave the visitors in trouble at 42-4. Enter skipper Wilkins promoted by popular demand from eight to six to herald the only decent partnership of the entire match. The hot sun was starting to dry the wicket and more importantly JP now had his eye in and for the next ten overs the ball disappeared to all parts as both batsmen tucked into the home bowling. In the end it took a catch at deep square leg to see off JP for an excellent score of 69 and leave us at 111-5. Sadly after John’s Rolls Royce innings the rest of our batsman now gave an impression of an aging Skoda as Rob Ellwood made a duck, Ed Bale a first baller (well at least it wasn’t tedious), Mayur got eleven (yet another leading edge) and Mike finally departed for a belligerent 42 to leave us at 148-9 with 10 overs of the innings still to go. Could Chris Carson and Eliott Lodge hold out? well Chris did his part looking solid in defence but ‘The eater’ was defeated by the first ball of the following over to leave the home team with seven additional overs to add to their innings and allow young Jack O’Grady to lead his side off the field with figures of 6-23. We regarded the score as a decent effort on that track and were confident that a good performance in the field would see us home. Sadly we then proceeded to spend the first six overs of the Brigstock reply bowling like England at Headingley. The situation was made worse by the fact that the home umpire (I use that phrase for a reason) now decided to play a full part in the proceedings. Having not given a single wide in our innings, despite some very errant leg side deliveries from O’Grady he now suddenly transformed into a man looking as if he was trying to fly unassisted. At a rough assessment at least 40% of the 29 wides we eventually conceded could be described as controversial. Despite our generosity the feeling didn’t leave the side at this was a game for the taking, Bristocks confidence was obviously paper thin and only one of their opening bats, James Steward looked as if he had any positive intent. Virtually our first straight deliver cleaned up his opening partner and the game then settled into an attrition pattern, we would mix some wayward deliveries with those that consistently beat the bat and the Brigstock batsmen would concentrate on defence and little more. Mayur followed by his opening wicket by taking an excellent catch at mid on off Rob Ellwood’s bowling to dismiss Steward for 42 and leave Brigstock at 77-3 and next ball his replacement Polak edged straight into Fido’s gloves only for the umpire to give an inexplicable ‘not out’ decision. The crawl continued with extras almost the only method of scoring but with overs in hand it looked as if Brigstock might yet make it. With the score 107-3 Mike brought himself back into the attack and immediately had his opposing skipper caught behind for an innings of 17 scored at a pace to make Bleebs look like ‘Freddie’ Flintoff. Forty two runs required, six wickets in hand and 20 overs to bat would normally be a walk in the park for any side but Brigstock were now batting with all the self belief of manic depressives and Mike wiped out three more victims in as many overs whilst Mayur claimed his second victim when Polak decided to walk for a catch, mind you it was at mid on. With Mike having completed his 13 overs and the final two wickets needing just 14 runs for victory the need was for straight bowling…..step forward Chris Carson. Having suffered in his first spell from some ugly and effective ‘hoicks’ through midwicket it needed some guts to come back into the attack at this stage but Chris was the man for the job, amazing everyone by actually getting an LBW verdict and then inducing the edge for JP to snaffle at slip to seal the win with 8.2 overs still to bowl. The opposition had put us in on a gluepot, had every advantage in the game including 7 additional overs and a gift of 42 extras and yet we had stuck together as a team, remained positive and still beaten them…..take a bow Mike Wilkins, Ben Matthew, John Bleby, Sam Pole, Imran Mir, John Pounds, Rob Ellwood, Ed Bale, Mayur Chauhan, Eliot Lodge & Chris Carson
U13A side vs Market Harborough U13
The boys played a good to win at Harborough in difficult conditions - drizzle, low light and the smoke from either a big barbecue or garden bonfire....
Losing the toss KCC struck very early; Harboro consolidated and managed to accumulate 90 in 20 overs which the boys bowled in 70 minutes.
Little Simmo then anchored whilst the rest blazed away, apart from Shiv who took the suggestion to run quick singles too far and ran himself out in suicidal fashion.
Lawrence "Loz" Joel retired on 25, Little Simmo got a belter of a googly and was bowled for 18 ( I must plead guilty here ; I was feeling sorry for the Harboro' bowlers having to deal with a wet ball - suggested a ball swap and the very next ball Henners is on his way. "I've got all the tricks, but I couldn't do it with a wet ball" said the bowler very straightfaced when I asked him if he meant to bowl the wrong'un ).
So mission accomplished. Scores;
MH U13 90 for 8.
Chris Carson 4 for 6 ( 2 wickets in 2 balls) Harry Preston 2 for 5 in 2 overs Monik Patel 1 for 19 in 4 overs Shiv Modi 1 for 8 Litte Simmo 2 good catches Manraj a ridiculous catch 1 handed Monik 1 catch
Loz Joel only 3 byes
KCC U13
Loz Joel 25 not out Henry S 18 Curtis Harding 13 not out Monik Patel 9 not out
Thanks to Graham and John for assisting to get the game done by just after 8.
SIMMO
Broomleys V Kibworth
Sunday 26th July
Match Abandoned
There are many scenic grounds in Leicestershire. There are some slightly odd ones too, anyone who has played at Barkby with its trees inside the boundary will testify to that. There is though nothing quite as macabre as a wet afternoon at Broomleys. Driving into the ground you are confronted with club crest, a witch on a broomstick. (Having said that she probably considered a ‘looker’ at a local nightclub). You then turn down the track to the pavilion and drive by the local cemetery. Considering all that along with skies more threatening than a caveman’s breath after a beer and mammoth burger night and you get the picture. For the second week running full a day’s play did not seem likely.
The rain was falling in a light drizzle, and it stayed that way all afternoon. Indeed only failing light, a fall in temperature and the lure of the bar finally drove the players from the field just after 6 PM. In that time a mostly young Kibworth side had shown up well against strong opposition.
Broomleys batted first. At this stage the drizzle was minimal and ranked more as an annoyance than anything. However the grass varied in length from Action Man ‘crew cut’ on one side of the wicket to Lodge Twin hiding undergrowth on the other. Depending on your particular batting strength you could either get full value for your shots or watch the cherry slow right up, if this wasn’t particularly fair neither was bowling with a ball that soon felt like a bar of soap. It was an afternoon in either case for just getting on with it.
The Kibworth bowling was pretty good for the most part but the ball just kept falling short of fielders or just wide, in truth it soon became obvious it wasn’t going to be their day. Despite assurances that the home batting was actually pretty weak after the first five the boys from Fleckney Road just couldn’t get at them on a surprisingly good batting wicket.
With the rain now upgraded to the ‘pain in the backside’ level Broomleys finished on 236 after their allotted 40 overs. Bowling honours went to Harry ‘Windy’ Miller who took two wickets, one with a well disguised slower ball and the other an LBW shout against a home opener threatening to carry his bat The gusty laughter from the sidelines when the finger went up betrayed the fact he was on 99. How he must have chuckled to himself on the way back to the pavilion.
After tea the rain has cumulatively reached half way up a ducks back but still not enough to call it off. The match itself dragged on for another 11 overs in which John Bleby and Imran had looked pretty comfortable, however common sense prevailed, hands were shook and the players headed for the dressing room.
For the second week running Kibworth has duly chased leather, had a token effort with the willow and then done the front crawl back to the pavilion. The British Summer, eh? You have to love it
TEAM
Bleby, Imran, King D (Wkt), Illingworth, Herring, Lodge E, Miller, Jennings (Capt), Lodge B, Lodge O, Thompson J
Sunday 19th July 2009
East Haddon V Kibworth
Match Abandoned
The skies were black. Imagine the deepest recesses of space when the aliens are in mourning and someone forgot to turn the stars on. Yup, prospects for a full days play looked about as promising an all nighter at silent prayer monastery.
Amongst their many qualities cricketers must travel in hope because no matter how vicious the impending weather Armageddon a little kernel of hope dictates that somehow it will blow over, miss or somehow hold forth its fury until it hits the next village. Thus 11 cricketers of Kibworth headed to East Haddon to perform the opposite of a rain dance, or at the very least keep Jack Lewis quiet.
Regular readers will be aware that The Bard has limited success with the coin. Calling correctly for him is akin to picking the 6 lottery numbers so he took an unusual approach of taking Vice Captain Sideshow with him to call in the hope the luck would change. It didn’t, Kibworth bowled and when they did it was a mixed bag. Jamie Thompson took two wickets with some decent wheels; ball, belly and man boobs swinging nicely in the breeze. Sideshow bowled ok too, the occasional beauty with a full toss pie thrown into the mix every so often. Steve Thompson reminded Bob that the skipper was at first slip should the team require filth to be sent down.
With more bowling than batting the cherry was rotated at dizzying speed. Chris Carson took his first men’s wicket (but strangely went missing at the bar afterwards), Ben Herring skidded through off about six paces on a greasy wicket with no spikes, Shiv Modi showed considerable courage to loop his leg breaks up against aggressive batting, Tommy Cooper continued his notable improvement and Steve Thompson exchanged the gloves for his variety of dibble dobble but still went for three boundaries in the penultimate over. And so we move onto Jack Lewis.
In terms of verbal diahorrea per square inch Jack must surely run Richard Jackson close, which is a rare achievement for one of only 11 years of age. He is keen, loud and ready to badger anyone to get himself a place higher in the order or another over. Whilst we await the blossoming of his cricket potential a career in hard selling surely awaits.
In Jack’s only two previous games he has taken three and two wickets respectively but heading into this last over it looked liked his golden arm had at last failed him. One big hit down the ground has just eluded Jamie Thompson on the boundary and the odds didn’t look good when the ball was lofted in the same direction but this time the corpulent nephew of the second team vice didn’t disappoint and held a beauty going forward near the ground. To those still rubbing their eyes in disbelief at that it was swiftly followed up by The Bard throwing down the stumps from Mid Wicket to affect the mother of all unlikely run outs. Haddon closed on 174 off their 35 overs.
It was a sad fact that the magnificent tea laid on by the hosts would be markedly better than the batting to come but even that was likely to be curtailed by an impending monsoon. When the deluge finally arrived Kibworth were three down and about 130 short but the weather made it all rather unimportant unlike the lack of bitter at the bar which fairly frit Abbo back over the border into Leicestershire.
TEAM
Imran, Abbott, Jennings (Capt), Herring, Thompson S (Wkt), Beevers, Modi, Carson, Thompson J, Cooper, Lewis
Sunday XI vs Laughton & Mowsley
Sunday 26th April 2009
Match Drawn
There are certain 'givens' in the universe. Ken Pounds will come back for 'one more year', The Bard will invariably loss the toss and Paul Illingworth maintaining an uncanny knack of needing some kind of medical assistance before the match is over.
The pitch was an absolute belter, well if you are a batsman that is. All the more strange then that Kibworth should be asked to bat. At 34 for 2, with Ken and Fido back in the hutch, maybe the visitors were happy with the decision but that all changed when Tom Bale arrived at the crease to accompany Rickesh Patel.
What followed was an exhibition of clean hitting and running between the wickets that was highly committed but bordered on lunacy. Before most fielders had realised leather had hit willow the batters were haring down the strip faster than Roadrunner with a Catherine wheel attached to his rear end. Safe to say the scoring rate picked up speed at an impressive rate.
Both passed 50 in a century stand before departing the scene in quick succession, a real shame when three figures seemed a real possibility. The rest of the innings comprised brief cameos to see the home side to a decidedly respectable 233 all out in the last over before tea.
Many league teams would be happy with an opening attack of Kean Folley and Ben Underwood so it was an absolute luxury for a Sunday. Ben bowled with considerable control and not a little bit of wobble, Kean shook off his ring rust as his spell continued and he looked more and more like the cricketer we remember from past campaigns.
The back up bowling however was a mixed bag. Aadil bowled liquorice allsorts of leg and off spin, intermixed with some comedy appealing, that got him two wickets. Elliot and Tej will benefit from the trundle but didn't appear to be 'hitting the straps' on this particular afternoon but Rickesh did bowl a decent burst which elevated him, probably, to the position of class swot on this occasion. All benefited from Tom Bale's usual effort sweeping the boundary attempting to prove it is indeed possible to be everywhere at once.
The surface however was still good. The visiting batsman appeared well set and even 233 looked to be under threat with seven wickets in hand. Despite the inexplicable clamour for The Bard to bring himself on the skipper called back his opening bowlers to save the day. Bunny moaned about a sore neck which soon disappeared when he struck with his second delivery of his new spell, and when two more wickets fell in tandem with Kean from the other end the visitors began to shut up shop.
Cricket though is an entertainment business. The nicely oiled crowd revelled in barracking poor Illo who had, true to form, come a cropper for the good name of Kibworth. They had howled when the skipper inadvertently used his shin to stop a howitzer with a crack that could have been heard in Smeeton Westerby but still they weren't satisfied. With one over to go and 48 required they got the bowling change they wanted and the Bard brought himself on. Despite an over of absolute filth the visitors ended up well short of their target.
So the first match had ended in a draw. The bowlers had bowled, everyone had a bat and the bar was open so in reality everyone was a winner. We look forward to two weeks time when, weather permitting, it all happens again.
TEAM
Pounds K, Matthew B (Wkt), Patel R, Bale T, Illingworth P, Ali A, Folley K, Underwood B, Jennings W (Capt), Lodge E, Thakkar T.
