Saturday May 16th

1st XI - Lost by 7 wickets at home against Midlands CC

Rather like the clouds, the threat of rain always hung over this game.  The Badgers were asked to bat first with Adam James (20) and Graham Kinsey (32) opening with a 56 run partnership. Chris Hudson then added 34 as the score, but sadly also the wickets, rose.  At 141 for 8 the prospect of a challenging total for Midlands CC to chase looked limited.  However, Lucas Staves (29) and James Holland (20) put together a 39 run partnership for the 9th wicket as we reached 189 from our full 40 overs.

The visitors responded relatively slowly to start with and we looked like slight favourites to secure the win.  But then the rain came and it seemed to change things: more difficulty for the bowlers and fielders with a slippery, wet ball and more incentive for Midlands to hit out more before the next rain came.  Prospects for a victory disappeared quite quickly as Midlands won with 7 wickets and just over 4 overs to spare. 

2nd XI - Abandoned away against Trent Bridge CC

With no covers available at the Clifton ground the rain took over in the 2nd's game.  After bowling out Trent Bridge for 130 and then responding with 43 for 3 the prospects looked good.  But then the rain took over and the game had to be abandoned.

Absolutely no doubt who the player of the match was.  Max Phillips took 6 for 17 from 6.2 overs; his best Saturday team bowling.  He also top scored with an unbeaten 15 - who knows how many he may have got if the rain hadn't moved in.  Harley Riddle was the other bowler to take more than a single wicket; a very economical 2 for 9 from 5 overs.

In taking his 6 wickets Max Phillips is now the youngest recorded on Play-Cricket to have taken so many wickets in a game for one of the Saturday teams.  Congratulations Max!

3rd XI - Abandoned at home against Keyworth CC 

It was wonderful to see the reborn 3rd XI playing their first game of the season and their first in over 10 years.  The game had a similar scenario to the 2s although in scoring 189 for 9 wickets, Keyworth set a tough target.  Junior player Sam Clay was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 22 from 5 overs.  Kelly James was not far behind as she claimed 3 for 15.

There was a quick start provided on the batting front as skipper Simon Vanderwalt hit an almost run a ball 35.  His opening partnership with Callum Vanderwalt (25*) put on 62 runs but then the rain came and the game was abandoned after we had climbed to 84 for 1 off just 16 overs. There was certainly a chance of going on to win.