After last week’s long trip up North to Winchester, it was back to the hallowed turf of the Knightwood Bowl for the visit of NOCS. An overcast sky saw the skippers elect for 18 overs a side, and NOCS won the toss, choosing to bat.
The Blades’ opening attack began in top form, Galpin only allowing a single run from the first over, and Richardson taking a catch behind the stumps from Lowe’s first ball. Galpin followed with a wicket maiden, and the theme for the innings was set. After the eight overs of the opening attack, NOCS were pegged right back to 24-3, Hurst having taken a catch from Galpin who finished with figures of 2 for 8 from his four overs. Runs were no easier to come by for NOCS from the second stream, and the wickets carried on tumbling as Terry and Meering helped themselves to two each. Meering’s 2-6 from three rivalled Galpin, and Terry took 2-1 in a single over. Whitear J and Farmer turned their arms over to conclude the innings, and Lowe the slip cordon took a smart catch for the 9th wicket to draw the 10-man innings to a close at 67-9.
The sun emerged for the Blades innings, and Farmer and Richardson took to the middle. The first over saw a first for the season – the wicket of Farmer, caught for 2 and he finally now has a season average… of 110. Whitear M joined Richardson at the crease armed with a wonky-sounding bat and was caught for 9 as the score tiptoed to 20-2 in the fifth over. Hurst took guard and set about the NOCS bowling. And when the first stream attack retired, it became a race between Richardson and Hurst for the first retirement of the evening. Both players were hitting well, although boundaries were at a premium on a slow outfield. In the 13th over it was Richardson who hit a glorious four to backward square leg to bring up what would have been his retirement at 26, but it also took The Blades to 69-2 and the game was won with 5.3 overs and a good hour of light to spare.
RESULT: Blades WIN by 8 wickets
Champagne moment contenders:
Galpin’s wicket maiden
Terry’s 2-1 over
Meering’s figures of 2-6 from 3 overs
Richardson’s 4 to retire and win the game
The Blades CC 