Match Report

The Senior Medical Officer shows the staff how it’s done

Nolan Gas and Nolan Oils sponsor Middleton Stoney CC.

NOC is the acronym for Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, in this match it also stood for ” ‘Narly Old Codger” as Paul Wordsworth had a memorable part to play against his former colleagues, not just with the ball, but also with the bat and in the field.

The first evening game of the season began promptly, with Richard Lumb overseeing proceedings from under his straw hat. MSCC batted first with Jamie Lumb opening with Olly Ross. Sendaram, Australian and lively in all senses, took the new ball.  The extra pace proved to Jamie’s liking as he hoisted the fourth ball of the game high over long leg for a massive six. Olly picked up a brace of boundaries, but it was Jamie who set the pace, as the first 4 overs yielded 46 runs. Olly miscued off his hip to be caught for 11, shortly after Jamie was very well caught, low down at mid off for a rapid 26. His second six had been even bigger than his first, hitting the upper branches of the oak tree.

Harry Way, playing his first Middleton game of the season, was unexpectedly beaten by the deceptive bowling of Bottomely. Tim House, David Cole and Stevyn Jackson all fell victim to him as they tried to rebuild. He ended his four overs with 4 wickets for five runs all 4 batsman wondering how he had managed to get them out.  The middle order had added 22 but overs had ticked by. The fall of David’s wicket rapidly after Stevyn’s caused much activity in the home dressing room. 

Paul Wordsworth had been so engrossed in the contest that he had forgotten he was next man in. Eventually he came scampering out of the changing rooms, trying to fasten pads, gloves and helmet all in the wrong order.  It must be good prepartion as he supported Tim R in taking the total past 100. Aided by good running and the occassional boundary the score rose before Paul fell trying to hit the cover off the ball.

116 was a decent score, but should have been much higher after the flying start from Jamie and Olly. After a quick change around the ball was thrown to Hamidullah to start the second session.  He and Matt Dipple were far less generous than the NOC attack. Matt was very unlucky to see consecutive balls go for boundaries, one splitting keeper and slip and the other inside edged past fine leg. Hamidullah took the first wicket when Law hit the ball from a leading edge to Olly Ross at extra cover. He struck again in his third over bowling Ather, who will not look back favourably on his shot selection.

Paul Wordsworth came on to bowl the fifth over.  His second ball kept a little low and beat the bat, Paul turned to walk back to his mark, Jamie saw the batsman over balance  out of his ground and took off the bails. Paul was a little surprised to have a wicket to his name. Two balls later the pair combined again this time for a much more conventional stumping, one that was perfectly timed.

To prove that it was not a fluke the the combo was back at it in Paul’s second over, promptly followed by a ball turning to hit the stumps. Six wickets had fallen for 26 and NOC looked dead and buried. Sundaram and Craig were the new batting partnership. Craig dispatched the ball over Olly’s grasping fingers at long off for six and NOC sensed an opportunity. Just as the target showed its head, the demon Wordsworth  altered the game once more. This time Sundaram hit the ball off a thick edge high into the area of short third man. Paul saw it all the way, gnarly synapses triggered his muscles and he lunged forward, just reaching the ball in time.

NOC Captain Kendrick joined Craig in raising the tempo. The ball seemed to tease Olly Ross on the long on boundary as he tried time and time again to secure a run out. Despite hitting the stumps with a direct throw he never quite succeded. Craig became the first batsman of the day to retire, just when it looked as if NOC might be favourites. The new man in, Riaz was soon the next man out. He too found a thick outside edge, the bowler shouted loudly and clearly, “Mine!” as the ball reached its apex. Deaf to any distractions Stevyn Jackson toppled towards the ball as the same time as the bowler. A collision was inevitable, the catch however was taken. Spectators on the far side of School Lane had heard the shout, such was Stevyn’s concentration that he had eyes and ears for nothing but the ball, “did you catch it?” he asked as he picked himself up.

22 were needed from the final two overs , despite the captain kicking the ball over the boundary only six came from the penultimate over.  A couple of early boundaries from the final over would have made things uncomfortable. A very sharp bit of combination work from Harry and Olly prevented that, and barring disaster the game was won. With two balls left the skipper tossed the ball up. Kendrick hit high toward Harry at Long Off, “Sorry” said Harry as he did not quite hang on. Undeterred the next ball was tossed even higher and slower, Kendrick danced down, Jamie’s eyes lit up expecting a fouth stumping but the ball softly kissed the stumps goodnight.

NOC enjoyed a happy evening hour in front of the pavilion. Rona fed them, Andrew and Tim watered them for which many thanks. Richard had been joined for the second innings by Simmo, it was a pleasure to have two umpires, we are very grateful indeed for your contribution. This Sunday is the first of our double header weekends. The Friendly Cup round 2 takes place at Aston Tirrold while the home team is playing against local rivals Islip.