The lower divisions of the NCL provide the opportunity for our young squad to experience a variety of interesting locations on which to play their cricket. Few however have provided the experience of the Northamptonshire college...a knackered old artificial wicket covered in seagull shit and feathers, complete with a hole near a good length but none for the stumps and an outfield last cut before the summer holidays. Little suprise that once the spring loaded stumps had been placed we were invited to bat.

At least the standard of the opening attack was considerably better than the surroundings and for the first ten overs we struggled to make any progress. Only when the second line attack came on did a liberal supply of short balls and wides start to move the scoreboard on. Charles Hurley batted well until he decided to leave a straight one but Rickesh dug in to support Adil in a 55 run partnership that only ended when a total knackered Adil swung losely at left arm spinner Chauhan. Enter captain King and exit the ball to all parts of the ground during a knock of 47 that took around 25 balls to compile. Malc normally likes to deal in boundaries but the length of grass meant a succession of two's and the sight of Rickesh nearly lapping his skipper on a couple of occassions before Malc was also bowled 'knackered'. Four quick wickets fell in pursuit of the fourth batting point but the final score of 198 was well above par for the surface.

This was proved in the non event that was the Overstone reply. A side of nine junior cricketers could not pierce the field (but on this outfield who could) and the Kibworth attack gave them none of the short balls that were the only real scoring opportunities. Main beneficiary was Scott Clayton making a rare appearance and an even rarer appearance at the bowling crease. There were a few interesting wides as you might expect from someone who had only bowled ten overs all season but in between he bowled fast and when the ball was straight the Overstone batsman were usually heading for square leg at a rate of knots leaving the ball to clang into the portable stumps. After 34 interminable overs the final wicket fell to a direct hit by Rickesh Patel and we could start the promotion party in only our second league season, a great performance by a young and talented team (plus Kingy and Bleebs).

Sadly the Overstone skipper didn't seem to be in the mood to hand out congratulations and promptly branded Clayts a 'Ringer' which pleased him no end. What with that and being left waiting outside the changing room for ten minutes before someone brought the key to unlock it the final conclusion of all involved was that whatever benefits promotion brings, not coming back to Northampton college will be high amongst them. 

john bleby - 31/08/2008