Round 2 of the cup, and Rolleston found themselves against Premier League opposition Breadsall. With handicaps in the cup, Rolleston started with a 40 run advantage, and just like the league, Rolleston were asked to bowl first.
Starting 8:
Gareth Marshall (captain)
Luke Nelson (vice)
Ian Wakefield
Mike James
Anton Williams
Mark Chalkley
Tom Yates
Dan Henderson

Well the fairytale story didn’t get off to the best start as the 1st pair took away the advantage by adding 40 runs with only Monkey taking the only wicket.

The 2nd pair were also successful, only losing 2 wickets from Marshy and Wakey, adding 27. This did not worry the boys as they knew Breadsall only had 2 more skins to increase their advantage.....

.....And their confidence became even bigger after the 3rd skin as 2 young batsman entered and it was apparent that once they lost a few wickets, they lost their heads, with wickets falling every over, Yaka took 1, Marshy and Wakey took 3 each, and Hendo returning with a well deserved 4. The pair losing 11 wickets in total, and finishing on -23. The lead now back down to 4!

The 4th pair seemed to be the most experienced out of the lot, using the nets to good effect, only losing 1 wicket on the final ball (Nelly). Adding 45, Breadsall lead by 49 at the break.

After taking 4 wickets, Wakey moved onto 30 wickets for the season so far, a record I’m sure Monkey will never hear the end of on Saturday league games!

With Richy M.I.A, Wakey was partnered by Jaymo, and pair started off well, adding 33 with just 1’s and 2’s.

Next in was the unstoppable Monkey (apparently) and Chalky, a partnership which was so successful in the last game. Who would have thought it would come crashing down so quickly....................well all of us probably!
With Monkey’s head going higher than the clouds and no bananas on the trees for him to run to, The Beast was run out 4 times (3 in 1 over). ‘Geoffrey’ was also run out twice, and the pair ended up on -5.

So with the boys 21 behind, Nelly was reunited with his partner Yaka, and with the pair yet to score under 30, a lead looked inevitable. With them both huffing and puffing at the end with so many singles runs (15), they added another 35 and took the lead to14 runs.

Marshy and Hendo entered and Marshy started where he left off in the last game, with his Morse code dot,dot,run method, and Hendo followed suit. The Army would have been proud. That was until the last over, when Hendo decided to give the boys a bit of a fright and get out 3 times, but they still ended up in positive figures, winning the game by 19 runs, and a place in the 3rd round of the cup!!

Final game of the league season and the boys faced a team below them....Corinthians. Needed 8 points to finish 3rd in the league, the boys were fired up, knowing they needed a win. A few changes were made with a huge list of unavailable players, so Scrimy was drafted back in, and debutant Chalky was selected.
Starting 8:
Gareth Marshall (captain)
Luke Nelson (vice)
Ian Wakefield
Rich Wyatt
Andy Cooper
Anton Williams
Mark Chalkley
Steve Scrimshaw

Losing the toss (again), Rolleston bowled first, and even with tight bowling from Coops and Scrimy, the 1st skin achieved 18 runs, with Monkey and Nelly taking 1 wicket each.

The 2nd pair was successful, not losing a wicket and adding 29 runs onto the score. Corinthians taking the RCC by surprise as there were many run out chances, but the boys failed to pick up the ball cleanly.

3rd skin and Rolleston pulled it back due to tight bowling from Chalky and Marshy, but mainly through Monkey who picked up 3 wickets and going for -13, and the skin only managing to add 3 to the score.

4th skin was also successful, only losing 1 wicket (Coops) and adding 27.

Final score for Corinthians = 77

RCC came off feeling a little disappointed with their bowling performance, and it only got worse as the most reliable partnership of Wakey and Richy seemed to crumble under the pressure with Richy getting out 3 times in 2 overs, leaving the pair on -3 after 2 overs. But a chat between the 2 saw them compose themselves and using the net to good effect, pulling it back to add 25 for the 1st pair, and taking the 1st skin.

Monkey and Chalky were due in next, but a decision was made to send in Nelly and Coops to add some stability, which proved to be the right decision. They took 22 off their first over and losing only 1 wicket when Coops got caught; the pair matched good running and good calling to add a massive 42 onto the score, leaving the boys only 10 runs behind.

So the experimental pair of Monkey and Chalky entered the cage, and it was like Monkey felt back at home, loose in his cage, as the beast let rip into the bowling hitting 2 massive 7’s and 4 4’s. He added a top scoring 39 out of 51, supported superbly by Mark ‘Geoffrey’ Chalkley, who persisted on dropping the ball at his feet and running.

So with RCC ahead by 40 runs, Marshy and Scrimy just needed to stay at the crease and run ever 3rd ball...................................and that’s exactly what they did. In probably the most boring innings EVER played at willows, the pair did not care about their strike rate. But the job was done and the Treemen achieved 3rd in the league. A feat they did not feel they would achieve half way through the season.

I think I can safely say the boys can be very proud of their success in their 1st season of indoor cricket, and with the next round of the cup next week, the success may still carry on.

Well done guys!

With being 4 games unbeaten, Team Green went into the encounter with top of the league Little Eaton with massive confidence. Only 1 change as Monkey was drafted in for the absent Coops.

Starting 8:
Gareth Marshall (captain)
Luke Nelson (vice captain)
Ian Wakefield
Rich Wyatt
Mike James
Steve Yates
Tom Yates
Anton Williams

Gaz had may aswell just ask the opposition what they want to do as again he lost the toss.......but never mind as Rolleston were asked to field, which seems to be their winning form at the moment.

Little Eaton's opening pair consisted of 2 youngsters with a bit of talent but nothing major. But Jaymo and Richy failing to take a wicket, and Nelly and Monkey only taking 1 a piece, they managed to get a gd steady start of 32.

The 2nd pair consisted of 2 old guys who didnt really know what they were doing. Skipper Marshall took a wicket in his 1st over. Yake Junior took 2, including 1 which ended up about ankle height and the batter still tried to smash it into the ground........and missed it. Wakey took 1 with his first wonder ball.....a triple bouncer which the batsman came down the track...missed...and was quickly stumped by Nelly, and Yaka Junior returning to take another 2 wickets, ending his spell on -5 and taking 4 wickets!
Skin score = 2

3rd skin involved a big hitter and a nurdler. 1st ball of Yaka Senior went for 7, Jaymo managed to get a wicket in his 2nd over, the Monkey returned taking 3 wickets in 4 balls, and Richy taking another in his last over.
Skin score = 19

4th skin involved their last player plus a batsman of our choice.......i wonder who......the one who missed tom's jaffa! A repeat of the 3rd skin as Wakey's 1st ball went for 7, but the next ball, the chosen batsman was run out. Steve and Marshy took 1 wicket a piece, and Nelly returned, bowling the final over with pace, conceding just 1 run and taking 1 wicket.
Skin score = 17

Final score = 70

A score reachable going on Rolleston's last few batted totals.

Wakey and Richy took up their usual roles of opening, But with Wakey gettin caught in the 1st over, a few nerves struck the boys outside the net. But the boys did not fial as they pulled it back brilliantly, not losing another wicket, and adding 33 and taking the skin.

2nd skin was again Jaymo and Yaka Senior. Needing just 3 to take the skin, the pair started off in familiar fashion, losing a wicket in the 1st over. Introduce the most annoying and cocky kid i think Rolleston have ever seen........Bill Anderson. Unfortunately to make his head grow even bigger, he got Jaymo out on his last ball. Yaka Senior lost a wicket in the final over of the skin, but the pair managed at add on 16 and take the 2nd skin.......so far so good.

Nelly and Yaka Junior continued the run as a partnership with some, lets say, interesting running and calling, involving Nelly saying yes, Tom saying no, Nelly being at the non-striking end, and still making it back to the striking end with a full length dive, and not getting out......and a nice carpet burn to go with it. The pair kept their consistancy though of scoring over 30 runs, by adding 32, taking the skin and putting Rolleston into the lead by 11 runs.

Gaz and Monkey entered the cage needing to not lose more than 2 wickets, and they didnt fail, each batsman adding 12 runs, and seeing the cocky kid throw his handbag down with a few decisions going against his way (ahhhhhhhhhh diddums)

So Rolleston kept their winning streak on to 5, and adding insult to injury, beating top of the league 14-0, taking 3rd place from DANDT, but they still have to play Belper.

Final game next week is against Corinthians, and there are some in-house battles going on with the batting and bowling

Batting:
Nelly 153
Wakey 114
Richy 111
Gaz 108
Tom 95

Bowling:
Wakey 26
Nelly 22
Gaz 20
Richy 17
Coops 14

The boys took apart bottom of the league SCC Wildcats to set the highest score of any team in the league so far......the lowest score by any team so far......and their first 14-0 victory.

Starting 8:
Gaz Marshall (Captain)
Luke Nelson (Vice Captain)
Ian Wakefield
Mike James
Steve Yates (debutant)
Tom Yates
Rich Wyatt
Andy Cooper

Losing the toss, Rolleston were put in to bat and the consistantly successful partnership of Wakey and Richy proved to be a fortress that the Wildcats could not intrude, putting on a massive 54, the highest partnership so far for Rolleston, with Richy contributing a huge 38 from 16 balls including 2 7's.

Next in was Jaymo and debutant Yaka Senior. A partnership surely made in heaven, maybe hopefully ending Jaymos nightmare streak of runouts..........well not quite. 4 balls in and we have a run out....BUT it was to be the only run out of the whole Rolleston innings as 1s and 2s were scored with ease, adding 31 to the score (85).

After last weeks score of 98, the boys felt they could add a massive score onto the board, and with Nelly and Tom carrying on their good partnership and understanding of each other, they added another 34 to the total (119)

Gaz and Coops ended the innings with another wicketless partnership added 33 and a massive 152 total score.

The most impressive part about the batting is that only 3 wickets were lost..........

As the boys warmed up, a stray ball came flying in, and Richy kept his old Rolleston FC form by slicing his shot straight into Captain Marshalls nose....good start.

Bowling time and Jaymo opened up with Coops, taking 4 wickets between them. Wakey took another 2, with Steve also taking his 1st wicket. Final score 1st skin - 9

Yaka Junior followed his dad by also taking 1 wicket. The bloody Marshall, battling on like a Captain should, repayed the boys for their support by taking 2 wickets. Wakey continued 2 add to his tally with another 3, and Tom returned to take another wicket.

final score - -2

3rd skin was a bowlers paradise and a batsmans disaster. 12 wickets falling in all, with Richy taking 6, Nelly and Steve taking 3 each. Richy ending up with figures of 6 for -21. Not a bad day at the office for the Cueball. Skin ended up on -42

final score: -44

Final skin saw the young lad who bowled superbly, but unfortunately he wasnt so talented with the bat, losing 6 wickets. He was supported by a beefy hitter. But with Gaz and Jaymo taking 3 wickets each ,the final skin topped scored for the Wildcats with 11 but their final score ended on -33.

I beg to differ, it wasnt a slice into Marshy's nose, he just wasnt paying attention!!!!

The return game against Belper proved to be a classic

Starting 8:
Gareth Marshall (Captain)
Luke Nelson (Vice)
Ian Wakefield
Rich Wyatt
Mark Bellm
Mike James
Anton Williams
Dan Henderson

With the rollover victory that Belper achieved before, they won the toss and put Rolleston into bat, not knowing that the Treemen now have one of the most successful opening partnerships in the league. This continued as Wakey and Richy played sensible shots and good running to form a firm base of 35 runs for the 1st skin.

Nelly and new partner Jaymo came in 2nd, but with Jaymo, still struggling to adapt his game to the indoor version, losing 4 wickets and only contributing 1 run, the 2nd skin added 20 runs, with Nelly being the 1st player to pass over 100 runs in the season.

Then the surprise skin of the game. Monkey and Mark Bellm started off badly with a run out 1st ball, but with sensible batting, good running (and a few big hits by Monkey) the pair put on a massive 47 runs, putting the RCC on 102 with Gaz and Hendo left 2 bat. Surely this could be a big total..................

So with skipper Gaz and the ever promisin Hendo taking the crease, expectations were high. But the lack of match practice proved costly for Hendo as he lost a big 6 wickets leaving himself on -18, Gaz ended up on 14, but -4 for the skin left RCC on 98. A good score, but still left a little disappointed.

Now with the strength being the bowling for the RCC, they began in a different fashion, leaving Jaymo and Mark till later. So skipper Gaz opened and took a wicket with his 1st ball, that proved to be the only positive in the 1st skin though as Hendo (9), Monkey (21) and Nelly (12) could not take any wickets, and the 1st skin making 45 runs. Not the start the boys wanted.

Jaymo and Mark started against the 2nd skin and proved effective with Mark taking 2 wickets and both going for 5 between them. Hendo finished off and Rich bowled well but didnt take anything, leaving them with 27 runs added and a score of 72.

3rd skin saw Rolleston take advantage of a situation as Belper's female member came into bat. Mark and Gaz bowled well taking 4 wickets with Wakey and Richy taking 1 a piece, leaving the skin on -2.

This proved to be crucial as the final skin were a left/right combination. They need 29 to win, a task reachable and with 21 runs coming off the 2 overs of Wakey and Monkey, 9 runs were needed with Nelly and Jaymo to bowl. But as always, Nelly was up to the task, conceding 8 runs but taking a vital 2 wickets, leaving his over on -2, and Belper needing 10 off Jaymo's over. With 3 balls left, they needed 5 runs, but a sharp catch from Nelly left them on 89 with 2 balls left. A single and a 2 later and the game was over in Rollestons favour!!

3 wins in a row and the boys confidence is growing with every game. Next up are SCC Wildcatz, another game which Rolleston could come away with the points!

the way you wrote that nelly, you should be playing for england!

The first game of the turn around was slightly delayed to a national finals game played on the court just before, including a player called Chris Schofield. Of course the crowd was there to watch the following game of the mighty RCC but were asked to leave.................

Starting 8:
Gareth Marshall (captain)
Luke Nelson (vice captain)
Ian Wakefield
Rich Wyatt
Micheal James
Andy Cooper
Tom Yates
Graham Dent

For the first time ever in RCC indoor history, the Treemen fielded an unchanged side against a competent works side who last time didnt really deserve to win the game, but pulled it off due to 1 partnership, which the boys were well aware of.

Winning the toss, Rolleston chose to bowl, with Jaymo opening, but struggling with no balls, with 10 runs coming off the over (all extras). A risk was taken by not using pace, and introducing Yaka, who bowled well, but couldnt take any wickets. Coops added some consistancy and took 3 vital wickets, and Captain Marshall also taking 1. Leaving the 1st skin with a respectable 14.

The next skin saw a little ginger kid and and a wacko who thinks you can try and hit the ball even after its hit the body! Wakey sent in his bombs to take 2 wickets, then Richy, who has struggled to take wickets, filled his hands full with 4 wickets in 6 balls going for a mighty -18! Wakeys bombs took another wicket but a 7 cost him in the over. The boys trying to make sure the skin ended up in minus brought Denty on with his pace, and took 2 wickets, leaving the 2nd skin on -12.

Their 3rd skin saw a baseball player and a slow coach come to the crease. Captain Marshall took the chance and took 3 wickets. Richy added another 1 to his tally, aswell and Yaka and Coops, leaving the 3rd skin with -4.

The final skin brought in the experienced players, and with Nelly still with 2 overs and Jaymo and Denty with 1, the 1st Team attack fancied the challenge. Nelly only going for 1 off his 2 overs, Jaymo going for 0 and Denty going for 1, the final skin could only add 2 to the score, leaving the opposition back where they started on 0.

The batting is starting to come together and 0 seemed an easily reached score. Obviously to boys wanted to win each skin but the win was the main priority.

The usual opening partnership actually struggled for the 1st time as wickets fell in each over, including 2 lapses of concentration with 2 mankats in 3 balls. Unfortunately this ment the 1st skin was lost as the pair could only make 6.

After the last game, Jaymo and Coops could only improve on their partnership, but another lapse in concentration saw another mankat in their 1st over. The young ginger spinner picked up a wicket with his 1st ball, but the pair managed to dig in and despite losing 2 more wickets in 2 balls in the final over, they still managed to add 12 onto the score, and win the skin.

Third up was Nelly and Yaka and with sensible batting and running, they added 38 runs without losing any wickets and took the game away from DANDT, even with Gaz and Denty coming into bat after.

So with the opposition needing a miracle, Gaz and Denty could afford to lose 11 wickets without scoring any runs and still win. But they still gave it a go, losing 4 wickets and adding 8 runs to give the boys a comfortable 12-2 win over 3rd place.

A confident performance from the boys as they are beginning to get to grips with rules, as Denty in his 3rd week final realised you have 2 run to get the runs (Y)

A bit of a break hopefully wont have a bad effect on the boys as they face a strong belper meadows side on the 29th

The final game before the turn around saw the boys turn up against an also struggling team called Corinthians.
Even though the opposition pulled out a victory last week to leave the RCC boys at the bottom of the table, confidence was still in the camp that this could be their first victory in the league.

The 8:
Gareth Marshall (captain)
Luke Nelson (Vice Captain)
Ian Wakefield
Andy Cooper
Tom Yates
Rich Wyatt
Graham Dent
Micheal James

With a strong bowling attack, RCC won the toss and bowled with 1st team openers Denty and Jaymo bowling quick and tight, taking 3 wickets and going for -1. The returning Nelly took a wicket with his first ball and also going for -1, and the consistent Coops only going for 3, leaving the Corinthians 1st skin with 1!
The 2nd skin proved to be their best attack which notched up 25 runs. The bowling of Yaka, Marshy and Wakey proved economical but with only 2 wickets falling, the runs just flowed.
The 3rd skin saw the 2 oldest batsman just managing to pick up singles and the odd 2.
The 4th skin included the nomination of theit worst batsman against the 1st team attack again with Richy and Nelly picking up 2 wickets each leaving them only picking up 3 runs and a total score of 40.
A definate target the boys felt confident about reaching and securing the win.
The new found and successful opening partnership of Wakey and Richy increased their run as they added 46 runs for the 1st skin, with only 1 wicket falling. So already the boys were ahead by 6 runs.
Jaymo and Coops entered as the 2nd skin and this proved to be a partnership not quite made heaven with 5 wickets falling, but still adding 11 runs to the score, but not enough to secure the skin.
Nelly and Yaka needed 12 runs to win the skin, and 10 of them came from the 1st over, and even though 3 wickets fell in the next 2 overs, the last over (probably the most frustrating and most painful to watch ever!) consisted of triple bouncing widesapart from the final ball, which was actually straight.
The final skin needed 4 runs to win the skin, a task even Denty and Marshy could do.............surely?!?!?! and they did. With Denty following Gaz's interesting tactics of nurdling to 'third man', the added 23 runs and gave the RCC with a final dominant score of 113.

Finally the Treemen record their first win, and hopefully confidence will be high into the next game on Sunday against DANDT-IT.

Well done fellas

Starting 8:
Gaz Marshall
Luke Nelson
Steve Scrimshaw
Rich Wyatt
Louis Burrows
Anton Williams
Ian Wakefield
Dan Henderson

3rd league game saw RCC playing against a team below them, so a victory was on the mind for the boys. Losing the toss, the boys were made to bat first, something which is very unfamiliar to the RCC.
A new opening pair of Wakey and Rich Wyatt took to the crease, and even though they lost 2 wickets, the pair still batted sensibly, notching up 25 runs, a good start!

The next pair saw Nelly with new partner and debutant Louba, which took its toll as Louba got out 3 times in 3 overs, just as a bit of momentum was swinging their way. But it was Nelly that suffered as in the last over, he got out twice in 2 balls, leaving the pair adding only 12 to the score.

The next pair included another debutant, Anton, who partnered Hendo. Hendo batted well, not losing any wickets and making 13 runs. Anton however mixed hard hitting with head in the air shots, and even thought he got out 4 times, he still managed to collect 10 runs, taking the score on to 60.

A good base for the final over, captain Marshall batted with the last debutant Scrimy. Unfortunately this proved to be a costly partnership as only 1 run was added in 4 overs.

Final score 61, not the best score, but we still believed.

Scrimy and Rich opening the bowling attack, only going for 12 between them, but new boys louis and monkey struggled to control the swing and turn, Louis going for 17 runs off his first over, and Monkey going for 10. 1st skin getting 39 runs.

The boys needed to pull this back somehow, enter the leading wicket takers Nelly and Wakey, taking 3 wickets between them and going for a combined run score of 0. Skipper Marshall saw an oppurtunity to take some wickets against the lesser quality batsman and took 2 in 2 balls, leaving him on -6 after his 1st over. Wakey took another 2 wickets leaving the 2nd skin on -4, just what the boys needed!

Another top wicket taker, Hendo, was introduced, and he continued his form, taking 2 wickets in his first over, but then Marshall's 2nd over was expensive with 13 coming off it. Rich Wyatt and Monkey pulled it back slightly but the 3rd skin still ended up adding 13 runs.

This left the final skin needing 13 runs with Hendo, Louis, Nelly and Scrimy left to bowl.

Hendo and Louis to bowl first, which didnt work out for the boys, going for 21 between them and the Wildcatz on 69. This ment that Nelly and Scrimy would need to take at least 2 wickets and not go for any runs, a tough ask, but a challenge they were willing to take up, and it started perfectly as Nelly took a wicket with his 1st and 4th ball, but unfortunately conceded 5 runs, including a run out chance, which would have turned the game in RCC's favour. This left Scrimy needing to at least take 1 wicket to stand a chance, but the Wildcatz managed to defend their way out of the over.

Final score: RCC 61 - Wildcatz 68