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27/05/00 LCOBCC 134-7 (T Crabb 63*) in 39 overs drew with Kegworth 58-1 after 24 overs

Old Boys 1st XI put an end to their 3 match losing start to the 2000 season on Saturday with a battling rain affected draw against local rivals Kegworth. While the rest of Leicestershire battled against the monsoons Kegworth's ground was spared long enough by the elements to get in some sort of game.

Having lost what could have been a crucial toss, the Old Boys were immediately under pressure with the ball swinging and seaming all over the place in the damp conditions. After the early loss of Davis, and makeshift opener Bailey D, the Old Boys total was built around a 3rd wicket partnership of 75 between Crabb (63*) and MacKinlay (28). Both batted very solidly in what were difficult early conditions, before starting to play their shots as the partnership blossomed and the wicket eased. In the frantic chase for late runs risks were taken as the Old boys lost 5 wickets for 40 runs in the last few overs. A total of 134-7 at least gave the bowlers something to bowl at.

In reply Kegworth got off to a slow start as Bailey D and Earnshaw immediately found their line and length. For the 1st time this season Old Boys were able to mount some pressure in the field. This led to a rash shot from Burrows who was well held on the boundary by Mackinlay off the bowling of Bailey. With the wicket again deteriorating the run rate slowed as the Kegwoth total crawled to 55-1 after 24 overs. The crowd were denied what may have been a tight finish as at this point the heavens opened to leave the ground and wicket unfit for further play. The Old Boys picked up 7 points and this performance was certainly something that they can look to build on for the rest of the season.

The 1st XI have 2 big games next weekend, entertaining Ilston Abbey in the League on Saturday and then taking on Langtons in the 2nd round of the County Cup on Sunday.

/05/00 LCOBCC 182-6 beat Leicester Mossdale 176 all out by 7 runs

Old Boys Sunday XI succeeded where both Saturday sides failed by beating Leicester Mossdale on Sunday in what was a very exciting game at a very damp Snells Nook.

Having won the toss and batted Old Boys were indebted to a 131 opening partnership between Danny Bailey 61 and Mark Stanfield 60. Having struggled early against the Mossdale opening attack both went on to find their form and rhythm in what developed into an entertaining opening stand. Both went in quick succession, after which the Old Boys innings stuttered somewhat in the pursuit of quick runs. However, a quickfire 29 from Lund ensured that the Old Boys were able to post a very competitive 182-6 from their 40 overs.

Mossdale were given a solid start by their top order and it took the introduction of Munday (3-28), aided by two outstanding catches from Frost and Edwards, to disrupt their progress. However, Mossdale continued to keep apace with the rate as the game fluctuated first one way and the other. All rounder Lund picked up 2 late wickets to leave Mossdale needing 7 to win off the last over with one wicket in hand. A suicidal run-out from the 1st ball of the last over ensured Old Boys emerged victorious in what was a very good and close game played in very difficult conditions.


20/05/2000 - LCOBCC 1st XI 129 all out lost to Market Overton 130-4 by 6 wickets

In what was another disappointing performance Loughborough Carillon Old Boys 1st XI slipped to their third defeat in as many games at Snells Nook on Saturday. Having lost the toss and been inserted by the opposition Old Boys top order again failed to fire as a mixture of poor shots and a lack of application left them reeling at 34-5. Led by Grantham (20) and Chandler (23) a recovery of sorts was mounted as the Old Boys lower order battled well in an effort to reach a competitive total. The Old Boys were bowled out for 129 off the last ball of their innings. For the opposition Hudson bowled well in picking up 5-46.

The Market Overton reply got off to a flying start with 14 coming from the first wayward over. However, Old Boys struck 3 times quickly to give themselves a fighting chance as Overton slipped to 30-3. A partnership of 74 between Humphreys (44) and Dickinson (52*) soon put paid to this as Overton passed their target in the 22nd over and for the loss of just 4 wickets. For the Old Boys Danny Bailey picked up two wickets and Grantham and McKinlay 1 apiece. Old Boys visit local rivals Kegworth this Saturday in search of a much improved and much needed all round performance in order to kick start their season.


20/05/2000 - LCOBCC 2nd XI vs Barkby, away

Old Boys won the toss and had no hesitation in asking hosts Barkby to bat first on a somewhat soggy wicket. The early batters slowly came to terms with the conditions and at 91 for 3 at the half way stage they were threatening to run away with it before a flurry of wickets reduced them to 96 for 7. The Barkby tail then wagged vigorously, leaving the Old Boys frustrated at their inability to finish them off, and facing a challenging target of 175.

The Old Boys top order all contributed as the chase gradually gained momentum, and at 160 for 4 with 4 overs remaining they seemed to be on course for their first victory of the season. A couple of key wickets then fell and this, coupled with some very tight bowling at the death, killed off the dream as the Old Boys ended up still unbeaten but 3 runs short as their ninth wicket fell to the last delivery of an excellent game.

13/05/2000 Stoughton & Thurnby (60-2) beat LCOBCC (58) by 8 wickets

Old Boys slumped to their second defeat in 2 games of the 2000 league season after a very poor batting display against pre-season promotion favourites Stoughton & Thurnby.

Having won the toss and elected to bat Old Boys would have been hoping for a solid start against the opening Stoughton attack. However, having completely dominated the 1st two overs (not losing a wicket anyway!!!!), Old Boys were soon in trouble as a mixture of poor shots, bad umpiring decisions and a blatant lack of application saw wickets tumbling. Tong Crabb was the only batsman to emerge with any credit as he made the only double figure score (15) in what was a feeble Old Boys batting display. Extras top scored with 17.

In reply Stoughton understandably went for their shots and, having lost a wicket to the first ball of the innings to Danny Earnshaw, recovered to coast passed the Old Boys total in just 10 overs and for the loss of just two wickets. Danny Bailey snapped up the other Old Boys wicket. To compound their misery, 2 dropped catches ensured that the Old Boys failed to pick up a single point.

Old Boys must now put this defeat behind them, and it is hoped that valuable lessons can be learned in what could otherwise be a very long season.


13/05/2000 - LCOBCC 2nd XI v Stoughton & Thurnby 2nd XI

Asked to bat first at Snells Nook, Stoughton & Thurnby raced to 33 for 1 in 5 overs before Old Boys stalwart J Jakeman built on his early wicket to end with a magnificent 7 for 65 in one ball short of a full quota of 22 overs. Skipper D Gunn chipped in with 2 for 17 and the target set of 159 should have been lower had several sharp chances been held by the Old Boys fielders. Of the visiting batsmen, only G Howard (30) ever really looked comfortable against Jakeman's nagging persistence.

In reply the Old Boys started disastrously, and at 50 for 4 things looked bleak. A fine fifth wicket stand of 38 between youngster S Hardie (32 no) and prodigal son S Clark (24, his first knock for several years being all the more impressive for his having also had to stand in as keeper from the 5th over) then steadied the ship, and further fine efforts by youngsters C Trevis (11) and T Alcock (5 no), saw them through undefeated to 102 for 8 at the close. Stoughton skipper M Thomas was the pick of the visting bowlers, picking up 4 for 14.


08/05/2000 - LCOBCC 2nd XI v Croft 2nd XI

Under the first sunshine of the 2000 season, Old Boys IIs lost the toss and were asked to bat by hosts Croft. The Old Boys experienced top order needed to perform and it certainly did that, with M Galvin (46) and N Cook (35) leading the way. From a position of strength at 144 for 3 though, a flurry
of wickets saw them slump to 159 all out in the penultimate over, with B Geary then pick of the Croft bowlers bagging 5-49.

Old Boys opening attack was a mixture of youth (Chris Trevis) and experience (J Jakeman), with the former unlucky not to pick up a wicket and the latter using all his guile to take the top 3 Croft batters for 23 runs. Croft captain D Norton then very successfully shut up shop and Old Boys picked up only a couple more wickets in restricting them to just 117 runs for a comfortable winning draw.

02/05/2000

LCOBCC 166-5 (D Kent 50) lost to Belgrave St Peters 176-9 (Morris 52, Hartwell 54*, Trevis, Ch 5-18) by 10 runs.

After Saturday's washout, Sunday saw the start of the 2000 cricket season for the Old Boys with a friendly against Belgrave St Peters. After the deluge of the past month, certain parts of the outfield remained very sodden, particularly where Lord Dave managed to get his car stuck while trying to drag the sightscreens in to place before the commencement of play. The car was eventually removed but not before turning a part of the outfield in to a dirt track. This certainly made fielding very interesting, especially for big Edmund who manged to slip in the wettest part and had to practically swim for safety before emerging looking like he had just been for a dip in the Thames. This was undoubtedly the champagne moment of the day and may well be an early entrant for the Coco from the big man.

The wet outfield certainly made run scoring very difficult as the early order Belgrave batting was blown away by a fiery Dunsmore who returned the remarkable figures of 5-18 from 8 overs. The youngster returned his best figures as an Old Boy and celebrated later in the bar with a jug of slandy which was indeed very light on lemonade. From the depths of 40-5 Belgrave staged a brave fightback through firstly Morris and latterly Hartwell. Spinner Lord Dave was unable to extract any turn from the artificial track and seamers Edmund and Phil Collins struggled to maintain a steady line in the last few overs. Indeed Collins saw his first two balls as an Old Boy disappear out of the ground for six. He showed great courage though and eventually snared his man in what was indeed a groovy kind of spell. Captain Bambi and young spinner Daynes both bowled well at the death but could not stop Belgrave from reaching a very competitive 176-9.

The Old Boys reply got off to a tentative start with the first seven runs all coming from wides. Sports reporter Steve May struggled to control his line for Belgrave and it is hoped that he will pick up some tips on his journey around the county circuit this season. With the help of the Belgrave bowlers DK and Stuey Hardie put on 20 for the 1st Old Boys wicket before Hardie had his off stump ripped from the ground. DK was joined by Chris Davis and his Tenby arm guard all of whom batted serenely as the Old Boys looked to be coasting to victory. DK reached a fine 50 before holing out. He was quickly joined in the hutch by Chris Davis as he was rather harshly judged lbw by Phil Collins. Stupid Tony and Bambi then batted well as the run rate continued to climb. This induced a rash shot from Stupid which left Bambi and new batsman Daynes with a lot to do. In the frantic chase for runs Daynes perished late on. Incoming bat Michael Martin was unable to rescue the situation, as Old Boys finished on 166-5. Bambi was left stranded on 29*.

Skipper Bambi later emerged from the post mortem to say that while he was disappointed to lose he still had faith in the boys and would not be rushed in to making rash changes. Early calls for his head were nervously laughed off by the skipper.

As usual a satisfactory end to the day was had by all in the Snells Nook bar as club members celebrated the start of a new season. Praise must go to groundsman Rogesh for making play possible, and Katie Trevis for providing a splendid and plentiful tea...... no mean feat when Edmund is in the side and Zimmer is watching.

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