RAIN THE WINNER IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH

MORTON CCC 184 FOR 5 SOUTH WINGFIELD [MATCH ABANDONED-RAIN]
DERBYSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 2 @ BACK LANE
28 JULY 2018 --- 1.30PM 
The return of the 'real' English summer saw this mouth-watering top of the table clash called off by the umpires with Morton still unable to complete their innings after the second lengthy interruption.  First placed South Wingfield had set a enthralling challenge for their third placed hosts and neighbours who had reached 184 for five before the outfield had taken a further deluge.

BEFORE THE RAINS AT MORTON ASHLEY CAUNT GETS A GOOD STRIDE IN ON HIS WAS TO A HALF CENTURY

Cards on the table and today was planned for a trip to see some Yorkshire Rugby League in Nottighamshire!  The Outlaws have found themselves a new home following the loss of the Midlands League however they have lost three recent league fixtures with clubs defaulting the night before games and with Bramley Buffalos the visitors this weekend all were confident of the challenge being on, that was until I noticed their social media had the game off on Friday afternoon with the visitors unable to raise a team.  Its a sad state of affairs for the Nottingham club who have a new ground and facilities that are being left vacant on many a weekend now when the vital revenue a first team fixture offers them falls by the wayside.
With the overnight weather relatively kind the forecast for Saturday around the East Midlands was for sunshine and showers and after an early morning downpour all looked good for a trip to the home of cricket MCCC, ok there is one to many 'C's' but it always feels like home as I'm sure I've mentioned before thanks to the friendly set up.

IT ALL LOOKED SO GOOD EARLY ON WITH THE SUN SHINING

More so supported by a warm welcome from all and a refreshing mug of tea, thanks Tony, while the excitement of the coin toss was awaited.

OPENER BLAIR MATHEWS AMASSES THE RUNS

With a strong breeze, ok near gale on the far side, the red hot summer days of the last two months had left us but we got away on time and Morton were asked to bat by the visitors.
The start envisaged was all that Morton made a reality as openers Ashley Caunt [56] and Blair Mathews [39] made a cautious and then increasingly positive impact on the scoreboard,  The former celebrated a confident half century which included a remarkable 10 fours and with his opening partner the pair put on 102 for the first wicket when Mathews was run out with both batsman finding themselves at the non strikers end.

ASHLEY CAUNT TAKES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS HALF CENTURY

The dismissal brought in Jordan Lemon [8] who we were not too witness in the middle too long today when he gloved Ahmed Bashir to Steven Shuttleworth the score was 113 for 2.
Wickets normally slow the run rate down and from 5 and a half an over Morton were drifting back down to 4 and over and when Caunt went seven runs later there was a moments doubt when John Aspinall [6] and Jack Stone [5] both fell lbw to Kyle Mitchell  the score was now 164 for 5, however the saving grace was Alexander Eyre [51*], including nine fours and when he was joined by big hitting captain Paul Holmes [5*].

ALEXANDER EYRE ALSO ENJOYS A HALF CENTURY FOR MORTON

Hopes of moving the score along briskly in the remaining overs were alive.   For the visitors Mitchell returned a creditable 3 for 53 from 14 overs.

THE LEAST FAVOURITE SIGHT AT A CRICKET GROUND

The first break in play at 3.45pm resulted in an early tea interval to try and placate the now angry and wet clouds with a complete loss of the breeze they were going nowhere except over Charlie Wrights outfield.  An hour later when play re started it was only for just under half an hour [5.15pm] with frustratingly 4 overs still to be bowled Morton were parked up on 184.

MORTON CAPTAIN PAUL HOLMES SPOTS THE CAMERA AGAIN

So to the joys of rainy days in cricket pavilions chats, sugar induced confectionery, tea and of course the all too regular popping outside in the pouring rain to convince yourself it was definitely getting brighter over our Bills Mothers.
All around there seemed to be lighter weather and blue sky but this little so and so would not move off from Morton and when Umpires Roper and Armishaw took at look an hour after coming off the game was abandoned.

CAPTAIN AND UMPIRES DISCUSS THE BENEFITS OF CHESSE SANDWICHES OVER CUCMBER

As all cricket lovers know the inevitable happened within five minutes the rain stopped the blue sky returned and delivered a beautiful summers evening good enough for a game of cricket, if of course the outfield had not been so wet.