After the rain of the previous week, an exasperated Nottingham travelled to Wellingborough, with a two-day game providing us with a perfect opportunity to finish the school season in style. Battling our way through the torrential downpours on the M1, the prospects of play appeared somewhat doubtful. The trip did however provide copious opportunities to mock PD, whilst Alpesh planned Godrich's evening punishment. Upon arrival, it became apparent that play before lunch was impossible, and so we resorted to playing rugby on the outfield. Mr Boswell leapt at the chance to demonstrate his skills, leaving several members of the side chasing shadows as he ran in several entertaining tries. The Wellingborough players and staff were somewhat bemused.

After a magnificent lunch, Brown tossed and lost, and Wellingborough's captain chose to bat first on a wicket that looked “interesting”, the undulations visible to the naked eye. Tosar and Robinson both extracted copious movement from the surface, and despite a few pleasant drives, Nottingham scented blood. One edge dropped just short of the lunch-laden Godrich, whilst Reeson spilled a tough chance at 2^nd slip. Wickets duly came- Tosar picking up one opener with a beautiful delivery, and Robinson the other with a slightly less beautiful long-hop! Both came to the end of their spells with the score precariously placed on 38-2, and Brown and Cobbett took over. Whilst Cobbett struggled to find his line, Brown slipped straight into his line and length, picking up a wicket in his first over off the leading edge. On a pitch offering plenty of turn, as well as variable bounce, Brown was irresistible, picking up two in two balls in his second over, and a fourth followed soon after. The scoreboard suddenly read 48-6, and Wellingborough were in a deep hole. A rain shower offered some brief respite, and then a partnership began to develop. Slowly but surely the total neared 100, with Nottingham increasingly frustrated as the overs ticked by. Tea saw Mr Boswell urge us to remain focused- wickets would come, he claimed. He was proved right, in true “bang bang” style, a few were picked up quickly after tea, including 2 run outs, to virtually end the resistance. Brown came back to pick up the last wicket, and with it his Michelle, and Wellingborough had been bowled out for 114.

After the short break between innings, Brown and Mccarthy strode to the crease determined to drive home our advantage. However, the early loss of Brown, coupled with some aggressive bowling from the openers, saw the siege mentality set in. Storey and Mccarthy sought to bat to the close of play, and proceeded to play with courage and skill, guiding us to stumps on day one. In a desperate move, the spinners were introduced, and Mccarthy was given out LBW. Original reports were that he was “stone dead”, but Grant appeared to take issue with the decision, littering the ground with his cricket equipment in the process. 34-2 at the end of the day, Nottingham were mindful of the fact that a few early wickets the next morning would see us under pressure.

As the evening stretched out before us, a variety of protein-filled dinners were ordered in the pub next to our hotel, whilst Alpesh convinced Mr Boswell of his suitability as a babysitter for young Riley. MacDonald's was sought by the overly greedy members of the squad, and then the intellectual members of the side (Robinson, Cobbett, Brown and Godrich) attacked the quiz machine, proving successful at 'deal or no deal' and 'the pub quiz', before Mr Boswell called an early halt to proceedings. The pool table was briefly graced, and then it was bedtime, although both PD and young Freddie Sail were tucked up in their cots by around 7pm. Reeson and Tosar sought to purchase various channels for some late-night entertainment (of Austrian origin, apparently), until Mr Boswell declared his unwillingness to add this to the school bill...

The next day dawned dull and overcast once more, and breakfast was duly attacked. The lack of protein enraged the bulging rugby players of the squad, who spat our their pastries with scorn. Upon arrival at the ground, Mr Boswell once more danced around his players with rugby ball in hand, before remembering that cricket might have to played. Throw downs were the order of the day, and then it was the task of Storey and Owais to guide us through the opening salvo. The pair proceeded to play splendidly, running well between the wickets and leading us towards their score. Storey was unfortunate to be out just short of a half century, and young Freddie Sail tiptoed out to the middle, and then showed no fear, advancing to hit the spinner over the top several times. As we neared parity, the call for aggression was sounded, and wickets fell in a clatter. Amongst the mess, Godrich swept with aplomb, and as wickets tumbled he crashed his way to a rapid 25, giving us a lead of 30 on first innings.

Seeking to take early wickets, attacking fields were set and Tosar and Robinson duly charged in. One opener left for a golden quack, and a torrent of abuse from the fielders sent him firmly on his way (he had been particularly vociferous when he had been bowling). This however brought about the arrival of the much talked about number 3. Having been dismissed early in the previous innings, he appeared determined to make amends. What followed can only be described as an assault, as all bowlers were hit with such power that the fielders quickly retreated to the boundary. The other batsman was merely a bystander, as his partner struck over half a dozen huge sixes. With the game seemingly going away from us, as the 100 came up, Brown resorted to the enigma that is Mccarthy. A high, looping delivery was middled, but appeared to be straight down Cobb-dog's throat at long on. A misjudgement saw him back peddling hopelessly, but somehow the ball stuck, and he was then mobbed by all 11 fielders. The major threat had gone. The run-rate slowed to a virtual standstill, and with over 40 overs remaining in the game, as we went to tea the match was very much still alive. Declaration figures of around 150 were being discussed, and as we watched Godrich munch his way through the plate of cakes, we anticipated a frantic run-chase.

15 minutes after tea, following a clatter of wickets, the declaration duly game. With 40 minutes until the final hour, we reckoned it gave us around 30 overs, and was thus very much gettable. The early wicket of Mccarthy, however, saw alarm bells sound and it became paramount to keep wickets in hand. Storey and Brown thus built the platform steadily, running well between the wickets and keeping the required run-rate below 6 an over. The introduction of spin saw both go over the top several times, putting the pressure very much on the home side. Victory appeared to be edging closer to us, as the score passed 50 and continued on towards 100. However, just as we were beginning to relax, Storey and Brown departed within 2 overs of each other, both having made excellent contributions, but failing to grasp the game. With the inexperienced Sail at the crease, the pressure was back on us. Sidhu once more played with freedom and control, as we just about managed to remain ahead of the run-rate. With 50 needed from 9 overs, the game was on a knife-edge. Sidhu was caught on the boundary, and Sail duly followed, leaving Godrich and Reeson at the crease. Godrich proceeded to aim huge swings over the trees, leaving the exasperated Mr Boswell crying into his water bottle, whilst Reeson charged between the wickets with enthusiasm. It was still a run a ball.

Godrich, having connected with a glorious swing over square-leg, tried one too many and was caught, and then Tosar followed next ball. Squeaking PD scuttled to the crease, and began confidently, flicking the ball away to get Reeson on strike. Reeson skied the ball, but two fielders collided, enabling him to get back for a second. Whilst the fielder was being treated for his injuries, Brown rushed on with “drinks” to give a quick pep talk. Reeson assumed an air of seniority, and declared his intention to “hit him over the leg side, no problem” and Brown retired to the pavilion satisfied his exuberant year 11 would see us home. With 3 overs remaining, only 14 were needed, and the game appeared within our grasp. We continued to score at a run a ball, until a few tight balls put the pressure back on. 7 were needed from the final over, and a couple of dot balls saw Mr Boswell tearing out the remains of his hair. PD then stepped up, and in the manner of his distinguished father 40 years before him, carved the ball to the cover boundary, which saw Nottingham explode with joyous applause. With 3 needed from 3, PD tapped and ran, and was run-out at the non strikers end. Robbo grimly strode to the crease. Reeson was on strike, and smashed the ball to cover, but could only manage a single. 2 were needed, and Robbo peered into the gloom, and cracked a cover drive hard and straight to the fielder. One was run, and then egged on by the Nottingham players, they hurtled through for a second, but it was clear he would be run-out by yards. The bowler however fumbled, dislodging the bails with his hands, and Reeson dived home. Nottingham charged onto the field, the adrenalin giving speed to our tired limbs.

In truth it was a fantastic victory. Against a very good side we bowled superbly on day one, and scored runs quickly when required on day two. The batting of Storey in both innings was gritty and stylish, whilst Brown's bowling in the first innings, as well as Robinson and Tosar's willingness to bowl a large number of overs, allowed us to gain a superb victory, and end the school season in style.

FB