On a distinctly grey and overcast morning, Nottingham arrived at Valley Road at 9.15am quietly confident of defeating a Maccesfield side who, the previous season, had been soundly beaten. The pitch was the brightest thing on display- the batsmen licked their lips at the prospect of some easy pickings. Brown was relieved to win the toss, and leapt at the chance to have first use of the hard surface. Despite a grumpy Godrich dampening banter levels somewhat due to his "pounding headache", the team were upbeat and confident of posting a challenging total. Sidhu and Brown duly waltzed out to the middle and began to caress the ball to all parts of the ground. Maccesfield's opening bowlers were doubtless disheartened to find the openers leaping onto the front foot to drive the ball confidently into the gaps. The run-rate charged along at five runs per over, and changes were sought at an early stage. With 8 overs gone, and the score ominously at 41-0, a spinner was introduced into the attack. The field was placed well back for Brown, who displayed particular aggression, and tightened for Sidhu, but the tactic failed to stem the steady flow of runs. Once more the pair were creating a perfect platform. The overs ticked by, and after 20 overs the run rate hovered at four runs per over. Sidhu unfortunately was run-out, Brown sending him back only to see him just failing to make his ground, and Winton sauntered out to the crease. Following his Mr Incredible antics of the previous weekend, he was determined to dominate from the outset, driving the spinner over the top for a one-bounce 4 almost immediately. In a bizarre bit of cricket that followed, he was caught and bowled although it appeared to be a "bumped ball". Nevertheelsss, Don was in no doubt, and up went the finger. Storey came and went, adjudged LBW, and Godrich, after a couple of fine sweeps, edged an attempted cut from the off-spinner. With the score now at 120-4, the pressure was very much on McCarthy and Brown. Brown reached his 50, but with the field out, was left unable to score anything more than twos and singles. McCarthy however took control, placing the ball into gaps and batting with great skill and tactical nous. The pair ran well between the wickets, and as the last 10 overs began, the score was 150-4, and we were perfectly placed to accelerate. A pair of sumptuous drives from Brown saw the start of the runs dash, and McCarthy continued to play the supporting role perfectly. Brown neared his century, as the total approached 200, and a target of 225 appeared well within our sights. He duly brought up a fantastic hundred, coming off 119 balls, and although he holed out at cow-corner just before the interval, Nottingham's final score of 217-7 was a good effort. Special mention must go to McCarthy, who played extremely well under great pressure, and to Tosar, whose straight 6 provided much amusement for players and spectators.

 

Following the usual massive lunch, Nottingham emerged from the pavilion buzzzing. Godrich's headache had been miraculously cured by 3 helpings of food, and it was a relief to hear him constantly talking once more. Robinson and Tosar began the innings with a pair of terrific spells, swinging the ball and maintaining an immaculate line and length. One opener misjudged an in-swinger, and saw his off-stump obliterated, and then Storey took a superb catch at Gully to leave Maccesfield reeling at 14-2. The pressure was maintained, and then Cobbett and Terry carried on the barrage of accurate bowling. Verbal pressure was kept up well by the usual contributors, and the pressure was really beginning to tell. Cobbett picked up two wickets in two balls with two super deliveries, and MAccesfield's thoughts of victory appeared to be over. They crawled along, rather like Wolves the previous week, and it became obvious that we had snuffed out the run chase at an early stage. Bowl-deep was duly summoned for a spot of rabbiting, and he obliged, picking up 3 cheap wickets, despite the howls of derision from  the other bowlers who had worked hard for little reward. Tosar came back, and immiedately found the edge, which was pouched by Brown at slip, and at 131 all out, a comprehensive victory had been achieved.