"the voice of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire cricket" in association with
Pure Cricket, - 'supplying cricket equipment to the professional amateur'
Pure Cricket, - 'supplying cricket equipment to the professional amateur'
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"the voice of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire cricket" in association with Pure Cricket, - 'supplying cricket equipment to the professional amateur' |
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The Cross and the Crooked Spire No, you haven't clicked onto the God Channel by mistake, this is a review of Sting's first visit to Clay Cross and a return to the land of the Crooked Spire for some Premier action.
Only two games on the agenda for today, Clay Cross were taking on Matlock at Sharley Park, and at nearby Queen's Park, Chesterfield were entertaining Clifton, complete with new signing former England Test star Chris Lewis. The prospects of Ian Blackwell making an appearance for his home town had long since faded, but a good game was still in prospect.
Matlock batted first with Steve Pell and last year's Division 3B top run scorer Kevin Leatherday opening the innings. Leatherday is a class batsman and surely would make an impression at a higher level. Last season he scored an incredible 1,023 runs at an average of 73.07, just ahead of Sawley's Jonathan Polley with 1,007.
Leatherday was in fine form, and was soon despatching the Cross bowlers to all parts. Andy Ogden, playing his first game for the home side following a move from Thornicliffe in the Sheffield area, bowled a tight opening spell but the action was yet to begin.
Jon Branson has set up an official website for Clay Cross on SportNetwork. For more news from the club, click here. Pell and Leatherday batted well between the showers and as this reporter left for the Chesterfield game they were still together. Leatherday went on to score 126 from Matlock's 178 for 5. Pell's contribution was 39. The home side fell well short, but what a game this could have been had the weather been better. Scores: On the way to Chesterfield a quick call into Done Bookmakers was required for the first classic of the season, the 2000 Guineas. I couldn't resist a couple of quid each way on Hurricane Alan, and at 20-1, I thought I was in with a chance of a few quid return. However, the Hurricane soon blew away. Despite leading two furlongs out, he was soon headed and finished out of the frame. Oh well, it's only money. On to Chesterfield, and after a mixed grill and a beverage in the Portland, I strolled into Queen's Park. Surprisingly, the covers were off and play was still taking place, despite the steady rain.
As expected, Blackie was absent, but Chris Lewis (pictured right) had already left an impression on the game with three wickets for a very economical 22 runs. This guy is going to be a major influence on the league this season, but is he worth the rumoured £20,000? What do you think? Chesterfield's innings closed on 149 for 6, with Brown undefeated on 82. Tea had already been taken during a break for rain, so the Clifton openers Ant Botha and Kamran Afzaal were soon in the middle. They were just getting into their stride when the rain got heavier and the players trouped off, not to return. Scores: Chesterfield skipper David Adams told us after the game that he thinks the club will do well in 2003. "We've got a tough start to the campaign", he said, "but if we get through the first few games well, we could be in with an outside chance".
For all the results from Saturday's games, click here. Chesterfield have this year decided to put out a match programme for all their home games. I will be reviewing the Clifton programme later in the week, but the club are to be congratulated on their initiative which has generated some considerable revenue from advertising. Well done to all involved. With play abandoned, it was time to return to the Red Arrow bus stop in the rain. Not a great day for cricket, but it's a double header weekend, so here's to a better day on Sunday. If you want to take a look at the image gallery for this article, click here. 
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CHARLIE FRENCH BATS  |
The day dawned fine with glorious sunshine throughout the county. Grounds, which had been drenched by a Friday deluge, were drying out nicely after a fine night. However, all was not well as rain was only a few miles away and heading rapidly towards Derbyshire. Heavy showers were forecast for later in the day, but undetered, bags were packed with the customary camera, handbooks and notepad for another journey into the Chesterfield area.
Jumping on the Red Arrow for the trip up to Clay Cross, the clouds were already rolling in and a brisk wind was blowing. Surely rain wasn't too far behind when Sharley Park appeared on the horizon. But, a pint of lager was purchased from the Welfare Sports Club for a very reasonable £1.78 and seats were taken to await the action.
Chesterfield were batting and opener Andy Brown was still at the wicket and was already passed his fifty. Brown, the club's Development Officer, is a vastly experienced batsman and was able to stay at the crease throughout the Chesterfield innings in very difficult conditions.
