Notts boys sting the outlaws
by Alan Rowley, 12th June 2004

The long awaited clash between an Outlawed XI and a Sting In The Tail XI took place at Eastwood Town's ground on Friday. Thoresby Colliery's Nigel Birkett and Kimberley Institute's David Adams were the star performers, but not for the Nottinghamshire lads as they were guesting for the Sting team. In an exciting game, the Derbyshire lads ran out 19 run victors.

Paul Bakel (left) and Richard Adams

Terry Dorr (left) and Graham Bakel

On an overcast and blustery day, the teams gathered at the Breach ground for a 20 over clash. Despite late withdrawals, both teams were up to full strength, and the Eastwood reserves, who were on standby, were not required. Birkett and Adams, who was only drafted into the squad a couple of hours before the start of play, volunteered to appear in the Sting side, and the Outlawed players probably wished they hadn't.

Outlawed skipper Richard Adams, David's brother, won the toss and put the Sting XI in to bat. The Derbyshire lads got off to the worst possible start when danger man Neil Sparham was out first ball to Collingham's Paul Taylor. After walking in to Robbie Williams' 'Let Me Entertain You', the Marehay star was left with egg on his face as he strolled back to the pavilion.

Things went from bad to worse for the Sting side when Marehay's David Buckley was back in the pavilion caught by Gary Edginton off Richard Adams for only 7. Sting were reduced to 10 for 2.

Birkett (pictured right) and David Adams then shared a stand of 71 during which Birkett's fifty came up. Birkett, who had only scored six runs off the first 18 balls he faced, suddenly cut loose. He hit the luckless Outlawed bowlers to all parts of the ground as he raced on to a fine unbeaten century. His ton included 11 fours and 3 sixes and was scored from just 57 balls.

David Adams was the only other wicket to fall, bowled by Long Eaton's Paul Gent, and Belper Meadows Paul Bakel, skippering the Sting XI, saw the remaining overs out with Birkett as he scored an unbeaten 11. The Sting team finished on 173 for 3 from their 20 overs.

The players greet Phil Tufnell and his party as the walkers arrive at the ground

When the Nottinghamshire openers Dennis Wright and Rolls Royce's South African Leon Botha strode to the crease, the large crowd were expecting a close game. Throughout most of their innings the Outlawed lads were up with the asking rate, but as wickets fell, their grip on the game started to slip.

Wright was first to go, bowled by Ambergate's Steve Fisher for 11 and his Toton Sycamore colleague Simon Bennett soon followed, bowled by Duffield's Alex Burnham for 5. With all the players bowling two overs each, the Notts lads were looking to punish the non-bowlers in the side, and Botha (pictured left) managed to achieve this successfully. The South African raced to his fifty in only 27 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes.

Wickets continued to fall at the other end with Scott Andrew being caught out of his crease and well stumped by Bakel. Umpire Terry Dorr had little hesitation in raising his finger.

A sharp shower had the players racing for the shelter of the packed pavilion and as soon as play resumed, Botha mis-timed one from James Franco and watched the ball land in the hands of Sparham. Botha's final contribution was 56.

This was to be the turning point of the game and despite a valiant effort by Newark's Craig Havelock and Richard Adams, the Outlawed XI were falling behind in the run chase. Havelock was bowled by Sparham for 21 and Adams was run out for 33, going for quick runs.

The Outlawed XI finally ran out of overs with their score on 154 for 6, 19 runs short of the Sting team's effort.

The two sides and the scorers pictured after the game

Everyone agreed after the match that it was a great day and the added highlight of Phil Tuffnell's visit added spice to the game. Raflle tickets were purchased, auction items were successfully bid for and much beer was consumed as the site regulars got to know each other in the bar. Who knows, we might just do it again.

Outlawed XI v Sting In The Tail XI scorecard