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CCC achieved one of their most famous victories at cloud-drenched Backworth last night.
With 16 players past and present unavailable, Simon, Roger, Matt and Rian scoured the country in search of an XI for this vital fixture. The team that took the pitch included Roger and Ian (first games of the season), David (first league game for two years) and Simon Featherstone (first game of cricket since 1997 - he even went out and bought new trainers to mark the occasion).
On winning the toss Simon E put the hosts in to bat on the usual beautiful Backworth wicket. Derek and Matt opened with two overs apiece, but found that anything that got past the infield raced away for four, especially down the hill towards the golf course. Rian's friend Kamran was brought onto bowl, and produced a fast, tight spell of four overs from the stately home end. Guy bowled four off the bounce from the other end, bowling the dangerous Wilkin with one out of the back of the hand, and effecting the stumping of Scott for 31 off a wide.
This was one of a number of triumphs for Rian, who took the gloves after a reoccurence of his leg injury. He ran out the hard-hitting Walker with a good throw from Matt and caught Chris Wilkie. With Simon E taking a sharp catch at midwicket the hosts finished on a par 137-5.
When the ball came to the fielders the ground-fielding was good. Special mention should go to Roger and Simon F, whose combined age would warrant a telegram from the queen, but whose fielding was exemplary.
Rian started the reply with a blistering 23. Guy, promoted from number 10 to open acored a skillful 18, but at 50-1 off 7 overs CCC had a mountain to climb. However, Simon E and Matt relished bating on a proper wicket and played good scoring shots without resorting to slogging. When Simon holed out to deep mid-on for 29, Matt was joined by Sunday's hero David Graham. He deliberately (we like to think) left a number of balls to take the game to the wire, before hitting a four through point to tie off the penultimate ball, and then scrambling a single from the last. CCC 138-3 off 14 overs, with Matt MoM for his 32 not out.
This was a fantastic win, as Adders have a couple of Backworth CC players, some nippy bowlers and hard-hitting batsmen. No one let their heads drop when the ball was racing to the boundary, and the batting was patient and calculated. Credit should go to everyone who took part, and who took their opportunity when it came.
CCC 8 Adders 2
Team: Rian, Guy, Simon E, Matt, David, Kamran, Ian, Roger, Derek, Cliff, Simon F
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