MPCC Take Back The Ashes!

It was a makeshift MPCC XI that arrived at a damp, cold and windy Weston CC to take on new opposition in the shape of Nelson's Ashes CC.

Missing a number of regulars because of family and work commitments as well as losing another to a freak sack race incident left skipper Pete Quinn little by way of tactical options against this unknown quantity.

Continuing his winning streak in the toss stakes, the skipper elected to field first and, being low on bowlers took the unusual step of opening with regular new ball maestro Mark Davis partnered by king of spin Brian Costello.

From the first few balls it was clear that Davis was showing a little more of the form that had eluded him in the seasons opening fixture with Nelsons opener Powser looking increasingly uncomfortable. In only a few balls, the opening bat was trudging back to the pavilion without bothering the run column.

Nelsons Hopcroft was next and looked equally shook by the movement that Davis was achieving in flight. Following a tight over from Costello, Davis struck again in his 2nd over, dismissing Hopcroft plumb LBW for 0.

Nelsons Burns entered the fray next to partner remaining opener Hempsall who was beginning to frustrate the visitors with a limited but effective range of shots which found the boundary with unnerving regularity.

There were no more fireworks for either bowler in their opening spell and so following four overs apiece the captain looked for a change and turned to pace in Neil Eggleston accompanied by the unpredictable but effective bowling of new kid on the block Darren Hodgkinson. Understandably looking a little nervous prior to his first over, the captain offered some words of encouragement before allowing him to proceed. Whatever the skipper said seemed to have the desired effect as Hodgkinson took his maiden MPCC wicket 3 balls into his first ever over smashing Burns's middle stump out of the ground only to find himself in an uncomfortable Pete Quinn bearhug seconds later.

With Eggleston finding it tough going on a rotten track, it was Hodgkinson again who struck moments later, forcing Nelsons Hempsall to misjudge and top edge into the air only for it to fall into one of the safest pairs of hands in the team in Neil Eggleston. Eggleston was again in the action moments later as he dispatched big swinging Turlokowski Jnr cleanly for 0.

Light on bowlers, Quinn looked for volunteers to bowl a few overs to make up those unfulfilled by the absence of Gabbitas, Hall and Footitt. Rem Fiorini stepped forward bravely as did Chris Buxton and held an end up as guest player James Atkin attacked from the opposite end.

Atkin, almost in defiant protest at his not being selected for the home side that day took an impressive 3 wickets for 21 runs in his four over spell, clean bowling Heathcote, causing Garnett to edge to Adam White at Gully and trapping Turlokowski Snr LBW.

Sensing an opportunity to end the Nelson's innings early, the skipper returned to the Davis and Costello pairing he had begun with. This despite the horrific facial injury suffered by Costello earlier in the innings which resulted in medical treatment to stem heavy bleeding from a cut chin. The decision was richly rewarded as, despite a flurry of boundaries from key man Wagstaff, Davis quickly added to his total dispatching Nelsons Mansfield and Harlangham clean bowled and LBW respectively leaving the visitors chasing a total of 144 for victory.

A pensive MPCC took to the field, confident that the total was in reach but conscious that go to batsmen Darron Hall was missing. Nevertheless, Mark Davis stepped up to the plate to fill the Hall spikes for the day and partner regular opener Neil Eggleston.

The lads had to take it slow in the opening overs as Nelsons went straight in for the kill unleashing Bassestlaw League Div. 1 paceman Heathcote on the nervous pairing.

The pair looked to be building a slow but meaningful partnership over several overs until a mix up saw Davis run out for 9.

Rem Fiorini came in at three, determined to make an impression before taking a leave of absence to concentrate on a cycling project. Alas it was not to be as Rem was soon returning to his seat having contributed a solitary run for his efforts.

Guest player James Atkin came in 4 and was clearly trying to play some proper shots against some accurate bowling. Buoyed by a partner demonstrating a level of competence, Eggleston tried to push the team forward. It was to be one shot too many however he found himself unlucky to be caught at long on for 12.

Brian Costello came in at 5 and immediately began to show some of the flashes with bat we know he is capable of as he hit a succession of boundaries. Atkin was next to fall as he was bowled which saw debutant Chris Buxton come in at 6. Chris ably supported Brian as he continued to go over the top, reaching the boundary regularly. It was not to be for too long however as just when Buxton looked like the 16yrs worth of cobwebs had been truly blown off, he attempted to hook a Hempsall pie that was nearly as wide as it was high only to see what would have probably been given a wide drift squarely into a fielders hands.

Pete Quinn came in at no.7, as usual determined to eradicate memories of a poor season with the bat the previous year. Any hopes of a partnership with his wedding day best man however faded as only a few balls into their blossoming relationship, Costello went over the top once to often to find himself caught at mid on.

Darren Hodgkinson came in at no.8 with MPCC looking to consolidate against what was becoming a rapidly rising required run rate. Quinn was visibly growing in confidence has he squirted a few for singles and doubles before hitting consecutive boundaries. It was to be his undoing however as the following ball saw him smack it back past the bowler and attempt to take a tight single, only to lose his bottle halfway up the track and send Hodgkinson back. Forgetting his own position as he concentrated on Darren getting back, the horror sank in as a missed throw at Darrens stumps went straight to the keeper for him to easily run a stranded Quinn out.

Things looked desperate for MPCC as White came in at 9 with the team requiring in the region of seven an over. This desperation was exasperated moments later as Hodgkinson found himself caught out for 6 runs.

The team was now looking to Julian Davies, a man who had failed to score a single run the previous season to save what seemed a lost cause.

To everybody's surprise, Julian not only held his own but complimented Adams boundary charge with several aerial shots of his own, including one which cleared the boundary for 6.

With the teams tied at 143 each and 12 balls left, MPCC felt confident of an unlikely victory. Sensing defeat, Nelsons skipper brought Heathcote back into the attack. With only "I've never played before but it sounds like a laugh" Sean McLafferty still in the pavilion and Davies on strike, thoughts began to turn to the possibility of a tie.

Heathcote charged in for the first ball of his over which was bravely blocked by Davies but almost knocked him off his feet.

Heahtcote, clearly smelling blood, charged in again. This time Davies opened the face and guided the ball away like he had been playing for years giving him the winning run and MPCC an unlikely 2 wicket victory.

The game for those took part probably summed up quite well the spirit of friendly cricket. Two sides out to win but also out to have fun. The fielding effort once again was tremendous and the team seemed galvanised by having the odds stacked against them which was great to see. A special mention must got to Mark Davis and Neil Eggleston who worked very hard in helping me avoid the cancellation of this fixture through lack of players.

As per most weeks, there were a number of candidates worthy of man of the match, Mark Davis's 4 wicket haul, Adam White's 31 or Brian Costello's 28. However, the manner in which he faced down the last over was truly something to witness and as such, this weeks man of the match is awarded to our new found run ninja Julian Davies.