2009 Season

Marstons Smooth Trophy 1st Round - 10th May 2009

Nutbrook 1st XI 294 for 7 -v- Belper Meadows 1st XI 295 for 2

On a fine sunny day in the middle of May, Belper Meadows 1st XI travelled to Erewash Valley to take on a strong Nutbrook side who had won all their league games in the current campaign. On arrival to the ground it must be said that the wicket looked an absolute belter, bright white and as hard as the M1 motorway. This was soon answered when Nutbrook won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first.

Chris Patterson and Rob Tomlinson took the new ball for the Meadows and early success was achieved with Tomlinson clean bowling the opening bat and having a close catch taken well by Dave Whiteley. Runs were starting to come more easily following the introduction of Ben McGonigal and Stuart Jackson who both found it difficult to keep their direction on what was quite a steep sloping wicket not helped by swinging conditions. However, McGonigal picked up 2 quick wickets to leave the hosts at 65 for 4 with only 12 overs gone. The next partnership did however prove to be decisive between David Hack and Richard Henshaw as these two rapidly moved the score along to 185 before Hack was removed by Tom Roe (who was bowling a tidy spell) for 52 from 64 balls. Pete Brookes was bowling in tandem with Roe and these two slowed proceedings somewhat. Another change then saw Whiteley introduced to the attack to get through a few quick overs, whilst Brookes had finished his 10 overs for 46 runs, to be replaced by opener Rob Tomlinson. Henshaw was still at the crease and he started to really pick up the tempo now and passed his 100 as Nutbrook had moved passed 250. In the last 7 overs Henshaw went bonkers dispatching anything loose and ensured that the hosts finished strong with a final total of 294 for 7 from their 50 overs. The Belper Meadows wicket takers were Tomlinson 3 for 58, McGonigal 2 for 40 and Roe 1 for 66 with Sam Harrison picking up a tidy run out.

With just under 6 an over required Meadows got off to the worst possible start as D Brookes removed P Brookes's off stump for 0 in just the fourth ball of the innings. This brought Meadows skipper Pete Jenkins to the crease and along with Dave Whiteley put on 61 for the second wicket within 10 overs before Whiteley edged one behind off of Flewitt for a good looking 27 with some lovely strokes on the way.

What was to happen next was something that is only read about in fairytales as the hard hitting Ben McGonigal along with the ever consistent Peter Jenkins proceeded to put on a display of batting that was out of the mould of Bradman and Ponsford or more lately Langer and Ponting. It was an absolute pleasure to watch as the Nutbrook bowlers toiled away helpless as these two put on an unbeaten partnership of 234 in just 36 overs. The ball was being dispatched to all four corners of the ground with so much easy, sweet timing. Jenkins passed his 100 with another beautifully timed cover drive whilst McGonigal brought up his century with a straight hit 6 to send the on looking Meadows travellers wild with delight. At this time it must be said that the Nutbrook fans had departed the arena knowing full well what was going to happen, as in the 48th over Jenkins paddle swept Henshaw for the winning runs to end undefeated on 135 from 153 balls whilst McGonigal ended on 110 from just 98 balls. This was a magnificent display of batting that demonstrates what local cricket is all about as Nutbrook thought that they had well and truly sealed a passage to round 2 at tea time only to be proved otherwise.

This coming saturday sees Nutbrook take the short trip over to Amber Valley this time for what hopefully will be a repeat of proceedings in a Division 2 clash. What can be expected this time ? another 600 runs, 3 centuries, and more excellent stroke making and good sportsmanship shown by both sides throughout this memorable encounter.

Roy (Leg-Spin) Ling quoted "Ive never seen batting quite like it"

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