CLUMBER PARK CRICKET CLUB
2nd XI FIXTURES 2010
BASSETLAW & DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 5

Last season saw numerous successes, with excellent all round performance. Consistency was key to those performances and although promotion was eventually out of reach, we learnt a lot about ourselves. We can take many positives from this as we look forward to the coming season.

A new chapter now begins and new faces will undoubtedly come into the reckoning once more and I will welcome them with open arms to a team I truly believe to be on the up.

I would like to welcome Andy Smith into the role of Vice Captain, a job which he has previously undertaken, and having known him for a number of years I am in no doubt that we shall create a winning formula.

Having always aspired to reach the top myself, I will always encourage my younger players to learn from the ‘old guard’, helping those who wish to progress to the 1st team and beyond.

I want to help all members of the squad be the best they can be. I also aim to maintain and improve on team unity, carrying our momentum from 2009 into 2010 which in turn will bring its own rewards and successes, a priority being able to close the gap between 1st and 2nd team league standings, with promotion being high on my agenda.

My wish last year was to achieve promotion because as you are aware from 2009’s preview, one of my aims was promotion within 2 years.

Last year I laid the foundations for such a goal, building upon individual and team spirit, so I have no doubt that 2010 can, and will be our year.

I look forward to seeing you all during the course of the season and thank you for your ongoing support

David Taylor
2nd XI Captain 2010

2nd XI -v- Grassmoor 2nd XI

Clumber Park II’s hopes of a good start to the season were dashed by a match winning knock of 97 by Grassmoor captain Terry Bown.

Asked to bat first all seemed to be going well for Clumber as openers Ollie Williams (61) and veteran Jim Delaney (46) put on (97) In 29 over’s. When Delaney was dismissed by J. Spendlove (1 for 16) this brought in skipper Dave Taylor who upped the run rate with a fluent 54 of 38 balls. With the over’s running out Clumber pushed the accelerator with useful contributions from Rob Hampstead (10) and Andy Smith (23) to post a total of 212-7. Other Grassmoor wicket takers were T.Bown (1 For 28), D. Smith (2 For 70) and A. Woolven (3 for 27).

In reply Clumber knew early wickets were the key to defending there total with Grassmoor’s aggressive batting line up, and despite Andy Smith (2 for 62) and Liam Seeley (2 for 32) removing both openers early on they were unable to take any of the half chances given by Grassmoor’s star performer Terry Bown who was eventually removed for a well played 97 by Rob Hampstead (2 for 53) but the damage had been done and it was left to A. Woolvern (29 not out) and C. Dawes (28 not out) to steer the visiting side home in the dying over’s. Next week Clumber visit newly promoted Misterton looking to get some points on the board.

2nd XI -v- Ransome and Marles 2nd XI

After 2 disappointing results Clumber Park II finally got there season started taking the majority of the points against Ransome & Marles. Winning the toss Clumber got off to a steady start with openers Ollie Williams and Jim Delaney putting on 49 for the first wicket after 15 over’s. A change of bowling saw Williams fall for an elegant 21, this brought home skipper D. Taylor to the crease. Taylor looked in positive mood from the outset and coupled with some wayward bowling from Ransome & Marles skipper A. Lamb added a quick fire 30 before falling to a well judged catch on the boundary off the bowling of Amos (1 for 59). When C. Drury (2 for 21) removed Delaney (30) and Smith (14) followed quickly after to Jackson (1 for 35) Clumber were left on 123 with 16 over’s remaining. H. Tomlinson joined R. Hampstead in the middle, and little could the Clumber spectators know what was about to happen. Hampstead was starting to find his feet despite some probing bowling and was playing some elegant strokes through the covers ably supported by the tall right handed Tomlinson. Hampstead brought up his 50 with a typically well timed cover drive. The introduction of Charlesworth into the attack prompted Hampstead to unleash the ball in the direction of the fleeing spectators taking 23 off the one over, a further 2 sixes in the next over meant Hampstead had smashed 5 sixes in 7 balls. The away teams attack were now shell shocked and with Tomlinson (22 Not out) giving Hampstead the majority of the strike the big lad brought up his 100 in the final over giving Clumber an imposing total of 250 for 4 and rightly received a standing ovation from all the players and spectators.

Ransome & Marles needed a good start to get anyway near the massive total but some excellent new ball fast bowling from C. Rix and S. Connolly (1 for 17) saw the visiting side reduced to 12 for 2. It was clear that Ransome & Marles had no intention in chasing down the total so the hunt for wickets was on with the home side chopping and changing their attack with A. Smith (1 for 7), D. Virr (1 for 15) and T. Moore (2 for 14) all chipping in with wickets. Some resistance was shown by C. Havelock (43) and A. Lamb (16) but the reintroduction of C. Rix (4 for 31) sent the heart rates spiraling in the away team dressing room, and despite a wicket in the last over Ransome & Marles held on for 111 for 9 to claim 2 points for a losing draw.

Papplewick & Linby III -v- 2nd XI

Clumber Park travelled to the surroundings of Burnt stump park missing 3 regular batsmen (including last week centurion Rob Hampstead). On the hottest day of the year so far Clumber were left aghast when the home team captain won the toss and invited them to bat first (much to his disgruntled bowlers). Young Matt Wheatley was promoted from the 3rd team to open the batting with the veteran Jim Delaney, and it was Delaney who set the tone of the innings cracking the first ball for 4 through the covers. The opening pair both punished any loose delivery and the score quickly rattled on with Delaney notching up his first half century of the season. Wheatley was showing an old head on young shoulders playing the supporting role, before he was unlucky to be out for 29 to a ball that kept low. The openers had put on 100 for the first wicket after 19 over’s and setup the innings for the rest of the batsmen to play freely. Delaney eventually went for a sublime 70 and skipper Taylor for a bright and breezy 11. The rest of the batsmen continued to motor on at 5 an over with O. Jervis (25), A. Smith (16), D. Virr (17), T. Moore (11) all falling to either a loose shot or variable bounce. Chris Johnson (21 not out) bunted the ball around in the final over’s ably supported by Chris Rix (11 not out) to give Clumber a total of 247 for 8. Best bowler for Papplewick was skipper S. Fletcher (5 for 45).

Clumber knew that the scoreboard pressure on the Papplewick top order would allow for an attacking field and the Openers C. Rix and A. Smith (2 for 32) quickly reduced the homeside to 4 for 24. Papplewick’s batsmen started to dig in and with Clumber shelling regulation catches the 5th wicket pair of T. Simpson (24) and P. Butcher (33) put on 51. Clumber turned to the old hand of Owen Jervis who’s movement in the air proved too much for the Papplewick lower middle order and he quickly accounted for the next 3 wickets, with Tom Moore (1 for 6) also chipping in with a wicket. The stage was set for Clumber strike bowler Chris Rix to return and he removed the final 2 Papplewick batsmen to return figures of 4 for 34 and give Clumber the full 20 points.

Waleswood -v- 2nd XI

With Saturdays much anticipated game against local rivals North Wheatley falling victim to the inclement weather, Clumber Park travelled to Waleswood knowing a win would take them above the home side. Winning the toss with the overhead conditions the home side had no hesitation in asking Clumber Park to bat first; this looked a good toss to win as the Waleswood opening bowlers G. Lomas (3 for 32) & Sanoop (0 for 32) both extracted bounce and movement from the lively pitch with Clumber opener Ollie Williams being removed for a duck. Number 3 Howard Tomlinson joined Jim Delaney at the crease and the pair tried to overcome the new ball burst but with the score on 20 Jim Delaney (8) feathered a catch behind off G. Lomas, and with Captain Dave Taylor (3) quickly following Clumber were left in a precarious position of 37 for 3. Rob Hampstead joined Tomlinson at the crease and the pair added a valuable 50 with Hampstead (27) being the aggressor. The big lad tried one shot to many and was bowled by S. Cope (3 for 45). With Tomlinson now well set he started to roll back the years and punish any loose bowling ably supported by new batsman Andy Smith (24), the pair put on a further 50 for the 5th wicket with Tomlinson bringing up his 50 in the process. Valuable late runs were added by Tom Moore (10 not out) but it was Tomlinson who stole the show with an excellent 83 not out giving Clumber a respectable 167 for 6.

Having seen the Waleswood bowlers cause problems with the new ball, Clumbers opening pair of Steve Connolly (0 for 19) and Chris Rix (0 for 35) were keen to put the pressure on, but the home sides opening batsmen W. Lomas (20) & Kalyan (41) enjoyed the extra pace and dispatched any short or wide deliveries to the boundary rattling the score to 52 off 10 over’s. Desperate to stem the flow of runs Clumber brought on Mark Woolford and Andy Smith which paid immediate impact with Smith dismissing Kalyan. With off spinner Rob Hampstead replacing Woolford the pair dried the flow of runs up and picking up wickets on the way (including a sharp catch and silly mid off by Skipper Taylor), with Smith recording figures of 3 for 16 from his allotted 13 over’s and Hampstead 1 for 39. With Smith bowled out and Clumbers quicker men proving ineffective the ball was thrown to Jim Delaney, the veteran immediately shook off what seemed years of rust and his accuracy accounted for D. Dallman (27). With the game on a knife edge Clumber new something special was required, skipper Taylor gladly ablidged taking a one handed acrobatic catch off Delaney and in the process getting more hang time than Michael Jordan in his hay day! This gave Delaney figures of 4 for 7 from 5 over’s and the stage was set for Woolford (1 for 24) to return to dismiss the final Waleswood batsmen to give Clumber a nail biting victory.

2nd XI -v- Milton 2nd

Having been unbeaten in the last 3 games and on the back of a clinical result at Waleswood, Clumber were aiming to keep there recent impressive form going at home to Milton. Having won the toss the skipper had no hesitation electing to bat on a hot and humid day in the park. Things weren’t going quite to plan as the home side were reduced to 34 for 3 thanks to Milton’s new ball burst. Clumber began to rebuild through the inform pair of Howard Tomlinson and Rob Hampstead who proceeded to add a partnership of 113 for the 4th wicket and in the process maintained a healthy run rate on an improving batting track and fast outfield. Hampstead was again looking ominous before falling, hammering a full toss straight at point for 65. Tomlinson followed shortly afterwards for a fine 67. This brought in Jon Palfreyman to the crease who looked in good touch as he pushed Clumber towards a total of 205 before being left stranded on 26 not out.

Clumber set about their task of claiming the full 20 points with both opening bowlers (Smith and Connolly) applying the early pressure with tight lines and length ably backed up by a committed fielding display. Connelly was the first to strike having hurried the batsman into a false stroke. A further 2 wickets fell quickly (including a well judged catch from Matt Wheatley) with only Milton opener Les Shaw showing any stick ability at the crease. Tom Moore was introduced into the attack and the tall right arm seamer caused havoc In the Milton middle order and producing a devastating spell of 4 for 12 from 7 over’s, including the key wicket of Shaw for 34. With the tail well and truly exposed pace bowler Steve Connelly (3-18) returned to finish things off in comprehensive fashion, removing the middle stump of visiting Captain Dave Wager and giving Clumber the well deserved 20 points.

2nd XI -v- Notts & Arnold III

The bat won over the ball on Saturday at Clumber Park as the watching crowd were entertained by a run fest. Newly promoted Nott’s & Arnold were the visitors to Clumber, having won the toss the home side had no hesitation in batting first on a very flat looking pitch. With the loss of M. Wheatley with the score on just 2, the inform Howard Tomlinson joined opener Jim Delaney at the crease. Having successfully negotiated the new ball the experienced pair started to impose themselves on the bowling side and cash in on any lose delivery and shoddy fielding from the visiting side. The pair posted a record 181 run second wicket partnership when Jim Delaney (98) fell agonisingly 2 runs short of a century to the bowling of Mossan (2-36).

Tomlinson was then joined by skipper Dave Taylor (34 not out) who looked to flay the last few over’s all over the part with some big hitting and some fancy foot work. Tomlinson held firm at the opposite end and remained unbeaten for a fine knock of 85 not out which pushed Clumber 240 for 2 at tea. Clumber took to the field with scoreboard pressure firmly in their favour, but with the new ball crumbling like a Cadbury’s flake they found it hard to extract any early movement.
The home side finally made the breakthrough with Taylor’s direct hit leaving opener R .Childs yards short of making his ground. This didn’t cause major inroads however and the away team set about making life hard for the Clumber attack with with S. Ecob and T. Beresford (35) chasing the target. Despite late wickets from R. Hampstead (2 for 24) and C. Rix (1 for 43) taking the sting out of the away sides run chase S. Cobb completed a well played unbeaten century. With the Nott’s & Arnold run chase falling 34 runs short this gave Clumber Park the majority of the points from a hard afternoons work from the bowlers.

Rose Leisure -v- 2nd XI

Clumber Park II travelled to Rose Leisure eager to maintain their recent good form, on what must have been the hottest ‘cricket’ day of the year visiting skipper Taylor had no hesitation in deciding to bat. Clumber got off to a stead start with Delaney the more aggressive compared to junior partner Wheatley who was struggling early on to the movement of new ball bowlers B. Smith and G. Clay.
With the score on 40 after 16 over’s Delaney picked out the cover fielder to be dismissed for 27 and when promoted 3rd team batsmen Huntington (11), skipper D. Taylor (11) and opener Wheatley (13) were dismissed by D. Clay (2 for 38) and A. Clay (3 for 17) the innings had stuttered. Despite contributions from R. Hampstead (30) and O. Jervis (21) the lower order couldn’t accelerate the run rate and thanks to the slow bowling of M. Newton (4 for 30) the innings closed on a below par 162.

Clumber new that based on Roses previous matches the wicket of home skipper Andy West was the key and despite an excellent spell from M. Woolford (1 for 21) West held firm chipping away at the total, supported by A. Clay (19) and I. Coy (34). Despite strike bowler C. Rix (2 for 39) returning to pick up a couple of wickets it was West who lead his side home finishing on an accomplished 81 not out. Half way through the season and a poor start Clumber Park find themselves well placed in the chasing pack for promotion. On Saturday Clumber Park travel to Grassmoor, looking to bounce back to winning ways.

Grassmoor 2nd -v- 2nd XI

Clumber Park II’s travelled to Grassmoor eager to avenge their loss the first game of the season in the reverse fixture, and make a statement to the fellow promotion hopefuls. Losing the toss Clumber were asked to bat first and immediately got off to a flyer with openers Jim Delaney and David Taylor punishing any ball over pitched or with any width. With the score on 74 from 13 over’s Taylor mistimed the ball from S. Bown (1 for 41) bringing to the crease the inform Howard Tomlinson. With a quick outfield and some shoddy fielding the experienced pair set about the home sides one paced attack motoring on at 6 an over before Delaney fell for another sublime 80. With Dan Virr (10) and Owen Jervis (0) both falling in quick succession to C. Smith (2 for 46), Clumbers lower middle order needed to respond and Jon Mayor stepped up to the mantle joining Tomlinson with what proved a run feast from the remaining 18 over’s. The pair put 147 with Mayor not out on 61 and Tomlinson another significant contribution of 89 not out, giving Clumber 300+ for the first time in a number of seasons.

All hopes of Grassmoor challenging the imposing score lay with the free scoring top order but with the bit between their teeth Chris Rix (3 for 28) and Mark Woolford (3 for 39) blew them away with an excellent new ball spell, ably supported by some sharp outfield catching. Despite being 34 for 6 Grassmoor’s D. Greaves and J. Spendlove showed some resilience adding 67 before Andy Smith (2 for 2) removed them both in consecutive balls for 47 and 20 respectively. The scene was set for Liam Seeley (1 for 17) to wrap up the game and give Clumber a comprehensive 203 run victory.