Derby Day Nailbiter

Fleckney wins at Kibworth are rare, super rare. As rare as a left handed screw driver finding hens teeth in rocking horse poo. However they travelled the short distance in high spirits, they had in form super blaster Mandeep, Chief Chelsea apologist Brij Barot and noted trigger finger Mike Hextall. And, as we all know, form goes out of the window in a derby.

Older readers may know the song Donald Where's Your Troosers but on this afternoon Ollie was in full panic when he couldn't find his kecks. We could explain what happened in words but a sing song never goes amiss. Maestro please...

Let the wind blow high, let the wind blow low

And all through streets with my whites I'll go

And all the lasses yell hi ho

Gobshite where's your trousers?

(Answer : At the bottom of your kit bag you twit)

Onto the game and Mandeep tried to swipe his first ball to leg and then his second ball was caught. From century last week to a quacker this time. Like Edward Woodward Cricket is a great equaliser.

Brij thought the second ball dismissal was a trend worth following and Mike Hextall got a genuine beauty from Ted Oldman Watts to leave Fleckney at 42 for 3. However although no other batter would break double figures Mike Dunkley moved from serene to all out aggression to post 103 retired. A threatening black cloud suggested jug avoidance so he hit the after burners and was in the hutch before rain closed the Fleckney innings on 194 after 36 overs.

At 85 for 5 Fleckney perhaps dreamed of an early finish. Seth had taken 2 wickets and thrown himself around the field in ridiculous Premier goalkeeper fashion. Scott took a wicket just as soon as his fanclub departed and despite some dropped catches the shock looked on. Then the fightback began.

Aariz Rehman scored a run a ball 50 before being sportingly retired. Dave Atherton (34*) and the aforementioned Ted (18*) drew Kibworth to needing 9 off the last over being bowled by Henry Rosier.

Henry had bowled beautifully all afternoon ( 32 off 8 overs) and if he had nerves he didn't show them, you would be forgiven for thinking he had ice in his veins.

6 off 4 balls required became 4 off 2. Dot ball. Final ball Henry yet again dropped it on a six pence , dot ball, and Fleckney had won by 3 runs.

Both sides had created a close game played in impeccable spirit in conditions that sometimes bordered on Baltic. It is now one win a piece and a decider was mooted, perhaps less rumble in the jungle and more Finale Off Fleckney Road. If it provides a match like this though who would complain?