Photo Gallery Photo GalleryPaul Nixon Benefit Day - Monday 27th August
Report by Will Jennings
What a
lovely afternoon. The weather set fair and a more than respectable crowd in the
ground to support Leicestershire stalwart Paul Nixon in his benefit year.
With a somewhat more consistent selection policy ‘Nico’ could have been
parading his talents for
The visiting side was principally made up of County players but a couple
of guest players from the Tigers, D Grewcock Esq and a certain gentleman who
was by no means unadjacent to Martin Johnson, swelled their ranks. Dan
Broughton immediately suggested he fancied bouncing the
Kibworth conceded the toss and went out to field. Quite what the Nixon XI
thought they would face in terms of opening bowling from a club in the Final of
the National Knockout is unsure but I’m certain Jeremy Snape didn’t expect a
pie chucking 4th team Captain, the only man in Christendom who could out
moonball its chief exponent. Believe it or not the 2 overs Villy sent down were
the most economical of any Kibworth bowler with only 12 conceded and the
laughter will probably take days to subside.
As expected the County pro’s were pretty merciless on anything loose and
the ball began to fly to the boundary at pretty regular intervals. Those with
cars near the edge began shuffling uncomfortably in their seats as the leather
flew within millimetres of expense metal. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily for the
victim, only one car got pinged and was left with a dented bonnet. Not only are
4X4 drivers being taxed off the road they are also being used for target
practice by
When Nico did come to the wicket he was greeted by a generous reception
and the bowling of Josh ‘boyband’ Cobb. All the home players joked how it would
rain on Nico’s parade if he was dismissed first ball but how close the star of
the show came to a swift return ticket. The appeal was loud, Nico was decidedly
red faced as he escaped with a leg bye and presumably the ball was somehow
going to burrow under middle stump.
Nico made good use of his life and recorded a hard hit fifty with a few
of this trade mark reverse sweeps before being joined at the crease for the
finale by Johnno. (For the record Broughts declined the opportunity to give the
man mountain some chin music). The visitors closed on 204.
Presumably Johnno had taken off his pads and declared that he was opening
the bowling, well who was going to tell him otherwise? For the record, Charlie
Morgan and Scott Boswell were the custodians of the willow facing him.
Apparently Johnno had cleared up Graeme Hick in a previous benefit game
and duly added Charlie to his list of victims with an LBW decision given by
umpire Pedley. Now I wouldn’t say it was a dubious decision but the front pad
did appear to be on some form of World Tour down the wicket when the ball
struck, less Leg Before Wicket more Don’t Beat Me Up Before Wicket. Charlie
departed the scene with a wry grin.
The next 15 overs involved Boswell and Nick Ferraby larruping the bowling
to the four corners of
By the time the last over came about 17 were required and Nico brought
himself on for a twirl. 17 required off 6 became 5 wanted off the last ball
which was squirted for a single before suspiciously being called a no-ball with
much associated pantomime by the County stumper. The next delivery really
was the last one and a scampered two brought about a highly satisfactory tie.
408 runs scored in 40 overs was ample entertainment for the crowd and we
hope suitably rewarding for Nico and his chosen charities.
Just as a footnote it was heart warming to see some star struck youngsters
wandering around with miniature bats looking for signatures. God bless two in
particular who came into the wrong dressing room hoping to snare a trophy of
the day. I’ll leave you to guess which two of the Kibworth line up couldn’t
resist the opportunity!