Gotham fight back to snatch the draw
by Alan Rowley, 26th July 2006

The dawn broke over the Gotham Memorial Cricket Ground on Sunday and was greeted by grey skies with a hint of drizzle in the air. The marquee was flapping gently in the breeze as the early arrivals unlocked the doors to the pavilion and switched on the kettle. The smell of cooking bacon drifted over the field as the intrepid players from 'the follow on' pulled up on to the ground.

As the Gotham regulars glanced at 'that website team' arriving, they must have wondered how this assortment of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire's less than finest club cricketers, some of whom had never met, could ever offer a serious challenge to the might of South Nottinghamshire Cricket League division B. But their sniggers were soon to be silenced!

In this time game, winning the toss was vital in order to save having to endure 60-odd overs in the field, and it was no surprise that skipper for the day Paul Bakel (Ahmed Iminagaybar) proved that he was one of the worst tossers in the game as he lost the toss. 'We'll bat' said Gotham skipper Danny Anderson. You could hear the groans from the away team dressing room half way to Nottingham. Danny Anderson and Paul Bakel are pictured below after performing the toss.

With pride in their hearts and a lump in their throats, the visitors donned their 'follow on' shirts, swallowed their bacon butties, stubbed out their fags and strode purposely towards the middle. Seeing this mottley crew before them, the Gotham openers Alex Howarth and Matthew Hogg trundled to the crease, casting nervous glances over their shoulders as if walking down Clay Cross high street in the early hours. Umpires Neil Steniford and Trevor Riley (pictured left) placed the bails on the stumps and, with an air of expectation wafting around the grounds, play commenced.

'the follow on' opening bowlers Jon Branson (Jonb) and Dave Greaves (Greabo) soon had the home side in trouble. Howarth lasted no more than 13 balls before he was bowled by Branson, and in his very next over, the Clay Cross medium pacer ripped out Jake Richardson's stumps to send him on the long walk back to the pavilion without scoring (pictured below).

Greaves was not going to let his Clay Cross colleague grab all the glory when Shane Litchfield attempted to launch the ball into orbit. Misjudging the shot completely, Litchfield watched the ball fly high into the air and drop straight into the bowlers safe hands to reduce the hosts to 18 for 3. At this point, a light drizzle forced the players off the pitch and the covers were rolled on. Excellent timing by the hosts, who had just opened the bar.

Soon after the re-start, Greaves took his second as he had Matthew Hogg caught behind by Andy McCarroll (Glove Doctor). 40 for 4 and still an hour to lunch. This had the makings of a very short match indeed.

Gotham skipper Danny Anderson and Steve Howarth had some repair work to do and the pair saw the hosts through to lunch without further incident. After a lasagne lunch followed by apple crumble, all served in the marquee at the boundary edge, the players had the chance to grab a quick fag and down a pint before play resumed.

Anderson threw the bat about in the search for quick runs, but, with the robot watching on from the boundary, Howarth sent the crowd into after-lunch slumbers with a Merlin like display. Anderson went for one swing too many and John Combe (Taggart) held on to the catch to give Branson a third. Simon Worth put on a brisk 21 before he was stumped by McCarroll, dancing down the wicket to part-time lobber Chris Plant (Planty).

At 132 for 6, the game looked in danger of lasting no later than tea, and when Howarth was caught by Dan Brooks (Bruno), off Nutbrook colleague Rob Turnbull (Tiny Tim), for 59, Gotham were in deep trouble at 151 for 7. Brad Moore was bowled by Turnbull for 8 to give the debutant a second and Andy Porter was run out by a Greaves direct hit to reduce Gotham to 162 for 9.

With the scent of victory in the air, skipper Bakel gave the part time bowlers, and the hosts, a chance and Brett James took advantage. In a quick fire knock of 52 not out, the Gotham number ten took the hosts passed the 200 mark. He peppered the boundary with nine fours and a six, including a shot which raced along the outfield straight into the ladies toilet. It was left to the intrepid webmaster to brave the unknown and fish the ball out of the bowl in trap one.

Trevor Burton assisted James admirably, but when he was caught by Combe off Plant for 8, the Gotham innings closed on 225 off a marathon 61 overs. Pick of the bowlers was Branson (pictured right) with 3 for 32, and Greaves, Turnbull and Plant all picked up a couple in a fine 'follow on' display.

With the afternoon sun forcing itself from behind the grey clouds and beating down on the Gotham ground, openers Bakel and Rob Stewart (Big Bad Bob) took to the crease. Pre-tea action was uneventful as the pair moved workmanlike on to 39 for 0 before tea was called.

With the mercury rising, and the ground filling nicely, Stewart and Bakel took their opening partnership into treble figures soon after tea, but Stewart became the first to fall, unluckily bowled by James, three runs short of his fifty. Michael Chambers (Mouse) joined Bakel, and the two youngsters batted superbly as they both reached fifties in style.

With the score now passed 200 and only one wicket down, 'the follow on' were near certainties to record another victory, but when Bakel was caught by Hogg, off Moore, for a magnificent 89, the visitors faltered. Brooks went first ball, after sitting with his pads on for over two hours, and Plant lasted no more than five balls before he was caught by Worth off Steve Howarth for a duck.

'the follow on' XI
Back row (left to right): Ryan Esson (scorer), Rob Turnbull (Nutbrook), Rob Stewart (West Bridgfordians), Jan Branson (Clay Cross), Dave Greaves (Clay Cross), John Combe (Cutthorpe), Andy McCarroll (West Bridgfordians)
Front row (left ro right): Craig James (West Bridgfordians), Michael Chambers (Nutbrook), Paul Bakel (Duffield), Dan Brooks (Nutbrook), Chris Plant (Bolsover)

Suddenly, the visitors were 215 for 4 and still wanting five an over. Nerves began to jangle and the Gotham lads sensed a draw. Chambers went for a suicidal single to the keeper and was run out for a brave 57 and it was left to Turnbull and Combe to take the visitors home.

With six runs wanted off the final over, tension was high, but only three runs were scored thanks to some tight bowling and 'the follow on' finished two runs short of the Gotham total. With only 48 overs faced, the visitors claimed a moral victory, but it wasn't about winners and losers and Gotham were happy to get their festival week off to a great start.

Man of the match: Paul Bakel

Man of the match, judged by umpire Riley, was awarded to Paul Bakel, who picked up a bottle of champagne. The chance to enjoy a few beers in the evening sun was seized upon and attention turned to the game at Ockbrook on Friday. Another thriller is in prospect in a very different game as cricket as 'the follow on' tackle the Twenty20 format for the first time.

Full scorecard - click here.