Laughton and Mowsley - 1st XI vs Kibworth CC - Sunday 1st XI

Match  Report

Result: Laughton and Mowsley - 1st XI Won by 91 runs

Team sizzles in idyllic rural setting

Some years ago Captain Bligh and his crew, led by the infamous Fletcher Christian, had a slight disagreement here and there. This minor set to led to the ships company rising against its skipper and setting him adrift on the open ocean. Now I am not trying to tell you that there are wide expanses of the sea near Mowsley, I am not even trying to suggest that the Sunday XI would rise up against anything other than bad beer at the close of play, but they weren't altogether impressed when the skipper put the opposition in on a red hot afternoon. A decision it has to be said that had more to do with making a game of it than higher tactical thinking. Fielding in such weather is a chore, spending endless minutes fetching balls from the surrounding hedgerow just stretched it out further. The bowling was decidedly average, the fielding likewise and, perhaps quite understandably, the wicket keeping a little difficult in the heat. In such conditions the reactions slow down and the ground seems a lot further away. Laughton and Mowsley scored 228 for 3 from their allotted 40 overs. 

 The conversations at tea were realistic. The team has a longer tail than a kangaroo that had had an accident with a mangle and any score over 200 seemed a long way to go. The advice was to bat, enjoy yourself and see where it led to. If all else failed 'The Staff Of Life' was open down the road. Tad was the first to go, commendably walking when there seemed some doubt if the ball had carried. Ken followed not long afterwards literally running after a wide one and somehow shovelling it at the gully fielder. Cars were being started and the landlord was wiping the bar down. That Kibworth didn't capitulate is down to a mix of application, talent and sheer bloody mindedness. The natural talent came from Olly Cornish who bludgeoned the ball around including one big six down the ground, indeed if his concentration hadn't been broken by some good natured banter who knows how many he could have scored. The application came from Badri who scored a chanceless 74 not out and kept the innings together. The blood mindedness came from the skipper who once again sold his wicket dearly, eventually being castelled by one that shot through at ant height. Kibworth had hung on at 135 for 9. Winston Churchill was keen to stress after the evacuation that a defeat should not be treated like a victory. Likewise this rather disappointing showing should not be glossed over by one or two personal performances. What it did show though is that this side won't roll over and have its tummy tickled like an old dog, there is pride and fight there. Sometimes, especially in an outgunned young side, that is enough.