Controversy Strikes Mr Alan in Academy Defeat

The Sunday Academy traveled to Reepham in a bid to get back to winning ways.

Skipper Kempton lost the toss and was inserted on a tricky looking surface. MIF Dave Knowles can't see a bad track with his in form eyes at the moment and he and Sam Nuttal started steadily before Sam was out LBW to one that got up just above an ant's head for a well constructed six. In strode Dan Nuttal to take over from younger brother and Dan soon departed as he struggled to come to terms with playing without the smell of the sea and fish and chips (Dan plays for Skegness on Saturdays). Will Wright prodigee Adil came to the crease next and he and Knowlesy batted expertly and patiently to take us over 50 before Adil paid the price for an exuberant attempted pull over mid wicket. Nabil bounded to the wicket and he seemed to want to be in for a good time and not a long time as first he ran a single when the ball dropped at his feet and then bludgeoned an old man over the top for four. His new found love of a quick single was to be his downfall as, clearly forgetting Knowlesy had batted for fifty overs the day before, he tried one too many quick ones. Knowlesy barked "No" and Nabil was ran out by eight yards and thankfully saved himself the embarrassment of a dive or a look to square leg and just kept jogging off. Saad was next in and he batted patiently and when Knowlesy was out for a blistering 64 it was left to Saad and Mr A to guide us to our total. When is 120 only 115? Mr A's enthusiasm cost us five penalty runs as he ran down the track. He put it quite eloquently after when he said "I wasn't wearing spikes". Good point but not quite the point. So here we are folks for the Holder style "Ask the Umpire". Did Alan score 14 or did he score nine? Answers on a postcard please.

On to the bowling and we did OK. The pitch was drying out and it was becoming easier to bat on but 'Mini Brett Lee' Charlie Portlock soon had the home side reeling with three wickets in quick succession. The game looked set to be over before the start of Antiques Roadshow and when a smart Nuttal Double Act contributed to a run out the Lindum were fully on top. The skipper took the opening pair off when they had bowled their allotted overs and young Sam Sheriff came on and bowled his left armers which gave the Reepham batsman some trouble. The skipper brought himself on at the other end and caused the home batters no problems whatsoever. Sam was rewarded with his fine work by a diving one handed grab by Dan Nuttal at mid off, one of the best catches you'll ever see. After Sam finished his spell Adil came on and bowled very tightly all whilst 'Mini Brett' returned for the flagging Kempton.

Despite the great efforts of the boys it wasn't quite enough as Reepham squeezed home by five wickets.