KMCC vs Blubberhouses C.C.

KMCC top order maintain fine form

 A KMCC team boosted by the return of the injured Charles H-C and a reticent Hooks won the toss and elected to field on a Blubberhouses strip more reminiscent of the marshes guarding the entrance to Mordor than a hard fast batting strip. The impression was confirmed when the 20 stone frame of Goldsmith was sent flying by a "Lion trap" at the bowlers end - a greasy mud surface had been lovingly overlaid with grass cuttings to hide its lack of grip (Hooks immediately noted that he would not be bowling from that end). When Goldsmith slipped again second ball the umpires consulted and were on the brink of abandoning the match. Awakened from his slumbers the Blubbehouses groundsman emerged to dig out the mud and fill the hole with sawdust. This met with the umpires approval and the match was swiftly able to resume. Blubberhouses opening bat, Fraser, no doubt seeing that the pitch was no shirt front, adopted the policy of swiping across the line to every ball and taking a particular liking to Duncans bowling smote several quick sixes and split the webbing of the unfortunate Tufnell. However Duncan finally removed his middle stump and when Bill Davis had departed Leg Before, showing his customary good grace KMCC felt as if they could take a grip of the game. However, Blubberhouses then enjoyed their best spell in the game as Dollars and Dickinson put on fifty together and looked well placed at 81-2. A tight spell by Hooks accompanied by vital strikes from Fielder (4-45) and Goldsmith (3-34) caused the innings to subside to 115-9, a missed caught and bowled cost Kirkby a point as the Blubberhouses tail enders then put on an unbeaten 21 for the last wicket. 136-9 at tea made up what could be a tricky target on a variable wicket.

 Openers Nattress and Brownlee where quickly removed to set Kirkby hearts fluttering but were assured by the 30 years experience of Fraser,41 and the mastery of the conditions by Aussie "top gun bat" Fielder, 60 who took the score steadily to 103-2 and KMCC to the brink of victory. A collapse of 4 wickets for 21 runs caused Shedley to grab for the heart pills but was not enough to throw the match as Blackburn and Harford-Cross guided Kirkby home with several overs to spare.