The sun was shining on Attenborough Cricket Club, when the two teams from astride the A52 met to compete for the coveted cricket shield.
Thursday 24th August, was the day set for the Battle of the A52 between Nottinghamshire Law Society against Derby & District Law Society.
Nottinghamshire Law Society were the winners in 2022, can they retain the trophy this year?
Derby & District Captain, Phil Bramall and representing Nottinghamshire Law Society Alistair Rose, took the coin toss. Derby won and chose to field first putting Nottinghamshire into bat first!
Beginning the batting for Nottinghamshire is Joshua Ganley and Jak Ward, with Alex Needham and Hugh White bowling for Derby & District, within the first few hits of the ball Josh hits a 4 and we are off to good start!
As the game progresses, dot balls are apparent, good for Derby & District, not so good for Nottinghamshire!
Then there is another good hit by Joshua Ganley but caught out by Peter Kidd. After 17 runs, Joshua was out, and Matt Slade was sent into bat alongside Jak Ward. Scores on the doors current 31 runs, 1 wicket and 3 overs… it’s going to be a tight game!
Kieran Chappell takes to bowling for Derby & District pitching some fast balls towards the Nottinghamshire batters. Keiran changes bowling overs to Derby & District Captain Phil Bramall, yet more mean bowling hurtling towards our batters, Jak and Matt.
John Ellis is the wicket keeper for Derby & District and doing an excellent job, well done John!
Jak Ward retires early and Nottinghamshire Law Society’s Cricket Captain, Aaron Singh goes into bat, starting with some good runs, swiftly followed by some more excellent runs by Matt Slade. Matt is bowled out and John Hooper goes into play but, sadly for not long, the Derby guys are on it and John is bowled out too…
At 8 overs Nottinghamshire is at 42 runs with 2 wickets, the game is still remaining tight, can Nottinghamshire hold onto the shield?
Shiv Nand runs out to play and yet again, the Derby players bowl out, they are definitely on it to get the shield this year!
Philip Cordery steps up to bat and hits some whoppers, Nottinghamshire is back into getting the runs in taking us to 58 runs, 4 wickets and 9 overs.
Clouds begin to fill the sky, the light is dimming, and the Derby & District batters are scoring 4-6-6 in their first hits, with many runs. It’s not long before Derby’s score reaches 20 runs, 0 wickets and 3 overs.
There is a constant sound of the willow being hit by the ball…
Philip Cordery steps up to bowl and finally bowls out Alex Needham after 28 runs. Alex is replaced by Mangot Shokar with Josh Wilson, between Philip and Matt Slade bowling we are on a mission to defend our reigning title of trophy holders!
New to the Nottinghamshire team this match is Beth Eady, sporting a hat and showing some excellent fielding skills. Aaron Singh, nearly caught an exceptionally good ball hit by Mangot Shokar, Mangot stays into bat more runs...
The bowling and the batting is fast and furious on both sides and at 8 overs, Derby finds themselves with 73 runs for 2 wickets.
Change of ends and Alistair Rose begins to bowl, Derby are now setting a good pace, where at one point the game was tight for both teams, Derby seem to be running ahead with 83 runs, 2 wickets on 9 overs!
Shiv Nand is next to bowl for Nottinghamshire with Mangot Shokar and Josh Wilson still batting. Josh finally retires with 30 runs and is replaced by Kieran Chappell. Shiv bowls a fantastic ball and Mangot is bowled out with 13 fantastic runs under his belt!
The evening is drawing in and so is Derby & District with their scores, 93 runs, 3 wickets and 9 overs, Nottinghamshire can see the shield slipping away to the other side of the A52. Phil Bramall and Kieran Chappell take the final bats for Derby with Wesley Walton bowling, then it’s all over 108 runs, 3 wickets and 12 overs…
They think it’s all over; it is now!
