Nuthurst Fall Just Short in Run Fest

filed by the Guest Scribbler

Nuthurst first game on the common, Chestnuts in full blossom on the roadside boundary, no better place to be on a Sunday afternoon.
The advanced party reached the Pavilion at 12:30 and lead by Mrs Keen tackled the interior of the building with splendid results, just in time for the start of the game. In frantic scenes extra seating had to be found as a large crowd had come to watch Raggy Singh play (on his Birthday).

Aldwick were invited to bat and made an exciting start, A Robinson and Rutter flashing the bat. Singh and Jonty opened the bowling, Chippy deciding that keeping wicket was likely to be a more fruitful option. The ball was in the air a lot, falling into gaps, over the boundary and in and out the fielder’s hands. After the loss of his brother, M Robinson and Rutter put on 49 with their aggressive play.

Jonty produced the season’s first double tea pot, unhappy with the defensive field the skipper had set, and the skipper’s response to Jonty’s request for a change. The tactic worked and a ‘fired up’ Jonty took two wickets in two balls and was a gnat’s whisker away from completing a hatrick. Nuthurst then put the brakes on the scoring with Singh and Jez James bowling very tightly.

Rutter continued his on his merry way, and reached his hundred with a six deflected off the head of skipper at mid-wicket (to gasps from the crowd) and a four through square leg. The skipper staggered around a bit, burbled some nonsense, clearly demonstrating he had suffered no ill effects. A late flourish took Aldwick to 234-8. The bowlers put in a good shift particularly Singh getting through 17 overs much to his fans delight. Chippy walked off like John Wayne and wished he had opted for bowling.

At tea James was presented with a Nuthurst CC jumper to mark his 50th Birthday, (not content with cleaning the pavilion, producing an excellent tea) Mrs Keen baked a superb cake for the occasion, James doffed his cap in his usual manner before being overcome with shyness.
Jonny arrived hot foot from Faro airport to check on the standard of the scoring, questions had been raised the previous week, which had clearly bothered Willis enough to come straight down to the ground. It is important that the club events are recorded accurately for the amusement of future generations.
In reply the home team made a good start The Skipper and Guy Ekins putting on 86 in 20 overs, once the skipper was persuaded to stop blocking maidens, he showed some fluency before hitting a full toss straight up in the air.

The team were not sure what to expect when Mc Kenna strode to the crease at No 3, could his fielding frustrations be the undoing of his batting? Jeff’s innings was a well-mannered and watchful affair supporting the imperious Ekins as the Nutters made inroads into the total. Only when Ekins was dismissed for 81 did Mc Kenna hit top gear and clonk the ball about it right royal fashion, 23 coming from one over, balls hitting Lord Letton’s and the Arbuthnotts residences (Jonny on hand smooth the waters with Robina Arbuthnott). Scotty looked in good nick driving the ball straight.

40 required from the last 8 overs, 7 wickets in hand. Opening bowler Prosser returned to the action and immediately found his length, removing Barron and Neilson in his first over. Singh launched a huge six (to wild applause) over Prosser’s head, but was sadly out shortly afterwards and returned to sit with his dejected fans.

The equation was 20 from the final two overs and the game descended into farce. Jonty and Keano’s calling was confusing at best and the running extremely conservative considering the situation. The Skipper now umpiring was forced to offer the pair encouragement to run, indiscreetly out of the side of his mouth. Jonty was dropped at mid-off and the fielder was immediately moved to mid-on where he promptly dropped Keano next ball. Despite aiming some brutal swings the pair could n’t get the tight bowling to the boundary and The Nutters finished 10 short on 224-8. For the record (Simon) the six count stands at 14.