2nd 10 Wk Win in a Row with Victory over The Baldies

Submitted by a Guest Scibbler. The first taste of summer, fitting it should be our first home game of the season. The team of chaps and Mrs Willis had made our aging pavilion presentable and grounds man Jonty had worked hard; the ground and wicket perfection. With the Chestnut trees along the road in full blossom there surely could be no better place to be. We were playing host to Harry Baldwins XI, who arrived early and with some intent too, taking the field to practice. Nuthurst Skipper Bob Samways won the toss and chose to insert the Baldies.

Nuthurst opening attack started well, Raggy Singh removing last year’s Centurion Swaar with a yorker. Graham Prior posing problems from the other end with the ball swinging and cutting. Baldies Skipper Roger May was joined at the crease by Tioboald and the pair dug and rode their luck a little to withstand the opening attack; Tioboald displaying his skill with the late cut. Nuthurst’s mighty all rounder got out of bed on the bowling side; flexing his shoulders from the early overs wanting a piece of the action. Prior made the break through trapping May LBW in his last over and the said all rounder Jonty Greenwood then had Toiboald lbw plumb in front. Jack Boorman on as change at the other end then bowled the dangerous Rob Masefield for 0. There was no let up for the Baldies collapsing from 57 for 1 to 80 all out. Jez James finishing off the innings with two wickets in his second over. Mike Neilson making his Nutters debut turned in a very proficent performance in the field at cover and later a creditable one at the bar.

Mrs Willis sumptuous tea was enjoyed and some time later the fielders took the field and some time after that the opening batsmen’s emerged wiping cake crumbs from their mouth.

The Baldies opened with new recruit the swift left armer Tanvir accompanied by the medium pace accuracy of the tall Lee. Nuthurst openers Singh and Jonny Willis with stood a testing opening spell. Both bats had a degree of fortune with sharp chances failing to stick in the slips. The calling and running may not have been up to the pairs usual high standards, by nevertheless they keep the scoring rate going. Watched by club sponsor Simon Hurst Willis was first to register his name on the six hit board and generate income for the club. The pair took Nuthurst to a ten wicket victory in 18 overs. Singh and Willis making Nutters History as the only batting partnership to complete successive 10 wicket victories.

In the evening sunshine children played cricket on the outfield as players and spectators chatted. The ground was put to bed and the pavilion locked up and both teams retired to the Dun Horse.