On a warm and still day, Nottingham travelled to the picturesque Solihull ground, hoping to continue our rich vein of form prior to half term. On a suspiciously soft surface, Solihull chose to insert us, and as the remainder of the side took their seats on the balcony, Brown and Sidhu strode to the middle determined to set a solid platform, as has become customary. Against accurate, if rather unthreatening bowling in helpful conditions, both played carefully to begin with, but once more saw off the new ball in relative comfort. Whilst Solihull kept a lid on things, the engine revved expectantly on the sidelines, as a good base was being prepared. With the score on 50-0 after 15 overs, and lunch beckoning due to the ridiculously slow over-rates of the home side, Sidhu received a jaffa-cake and got the faintest of edges, excellently taken by Solihull's arrogant, if nontheless skilful wicketkeeper. Storey arrived on the scene, and him and Brown sought to shepherd us to lunch. With 5 minutes to go, Brown received a similarly unplayable delivery, cutting the opposite way to Sidhu's brute of a ball, and was bowled middle stump attempting a back-foot drive. With us precariously placed on 62-2, we went into lunch somewhat anxious.

 

With lunch having been consumed in large quantities, Storey and Godrich set about repairing the damage. Things didn't quite go to plan. Storey edged an attempted cut to point, and McCarthy came and went, chipping the ball back to the bowler. Reeson ambled out to the middle with his usual serenity, and the momentum of the game seemed to swing. Godrich was doubtless inspired by his food-intake half an hour earlier, and proceeded to play with his usual freedom, striking several massive blows as the Solihull spinners erred in length. Reeson was similarly fierce on anything short, cutting with aplomb and suddenly the score had charged past 100, and then 150, as the pair continued to accelerate. Godrich brought up a superb half century, although his celebrations admittedly left a lot to be desired, and was then unfortunately run-out backing up. Having apologised profusely to our despondent wicket-keeper, Reeson sought to atone for his error, continuing to play with power and placement. His 50 was brought up, and then a fearsome blow cleared the ropes at long-on by some distance. As the Solihull bowlers tired, Tosar dealt some similarly severe blows, and the score rattled past 200, and 250 looked briefly to be a possibility. With overs running out, the running became more frantic, as we scraped our way to a competitive 234. On a small ground it was certainly gettable, but we were satisfied with our efforts on a slow pitch against a side who were yet to lose.

 

With the momentum very much behind us, Tosar and Robinson got us off to a superb start. Both swung the ball copiously, and kept the batsmen under sustained pressure. Tosar in particular was superb, bowling scarcely a bad ball in his spell. One opener went caught behind, and the other unleashed his pent-up frustration in a horrible slash that was pouched easily by Storey at point. Another wicket fell, as Tosar picked up his third-the number 4 was bowled round his legs in truly humiliating fashion. Robinson then picked up a wicket with the last ball of his spell, caught excellently by Godrich at deep square-leg, to leave Solihull floundering at 23-4 at tea. The match appeared over- Solihull showed no signs of ever competing. Spinners Brown and Johnson were both successful, and the run-rate never threatened. As wickets continued to fall, Tosar came back and picked up an extra scalp, and Sidhu did his usual rabbiting to leave Solihull all out for 150. Towards the end of the innings we let things slip a bit, indiscipline in bowling and fielding flattered Solihull's batsmen somewhat. In truth it was a hammering, and Nottingham will welcome Trent College to Valley Road next Saturday full of confidence.

 

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