Make ours a WMCC double Babi

Following last weeks victory away at Sheffield Uni Staff confirming back to back promotions for the 1st XI, there was a little matter of winning the league and the script couldn't have been wrote any better with local rivals Darfield making the short trip to The Auction House Arena. With the luxury of selecting an unchanged side for the third week running, something not known in recent times at WMCC, skipper Batty was undoudtly bullish about his teams chances of gaining the 6 points needed to confirm WMCC 1st XI would be Division 5 champions.

The warm up was slightly changed this week, with the good old favourite 'Circle of Doom' brought back and maybe sometimes things are better left alone as it was really pathetic how poor the doomage was, back to the normal routine for 15 minutes and the XI on show looked much more like cricketers than the first 5 minutes attempting to catch a corky.

Darfield's stand in for their stand ins, stand in called correctly and asked to bat. Mr Spurr was umpiring again as he did at their ground, but his partner in crime that day wasn't anywhere to be seen, so the square leg duties had to be shared around. Kitching and Khalid looked solid at the top of the order and it was the former whom played a couple of good looking strokes, before Khalid was C&B by the grateful Reeves with the score on 15, Kitching was next to go for a steady 18, having his off stump ripped out of the group by the same bowler. Pecki at the other end was toiling away and sometimes its just one of those days, and today was one of those days for Pecki, having all batsmen he bowled to either play and miss or see the ball flashing past top of off, no luck for Pecki from his 10 overs. Reevo (2-27) was replaced by the effervescent Wilkinson and grabbed a couple of early wickets off the back of Peckis tightness. The umpire giving Alfie the slow finger of death and young Wroe giving Wilko his 2nd wicket with a smart catch from Batty. Parkinson came in and was looking to enjoy himself, the field spread he manage to find gaps and clear heads, giving Darfield a glimmer, but the old timer continued to take wickets at regular intervals removing batters 5, 7 & 8 to give himself another 5 for for 2022. He was on for a hat-trick, but better less said out the trick ball. Big Jon was trundling in from the club house end, but he too was struggling to find any luck form his 6 overs. But Wilko kept at it and took his 6th & 7th wickets, looking to chase down Craig 'Welcome to the game' Jackson at the top of Div 5 leading wicket takers. Parkinson was still there and with the help of Townsend put on 34 for the 10th wicket to get Darfield over 3 figures. Wilko was searching for the last wicket to take home 8 scalps, but Armo came on and spoilt the party, cleaning up Parkinson for a decent 43, leaving Wilko with 7-24 from his 11 overs. Wombwell needed 116 to be crowd champions.

After a short break Rinse and Wilko opened up and both looked in a hurry, both hitting some sumptuous shots all around the ground, both charging to fiddys and the target of 116. Rinse had made it to 40 playing straight, then had a laps and tried a reverse Dhilsan ramp scope, got all mixed up and was stood in front of all 3 leaving the umpire no choice than to trigger him. But the opening pair had put on 92 and had all but secured victory. Big Jon in at 3, but it was Wilko who continued to plunder the balling to all parts and cleared the Berlin Wall on 3 occasions, the final one cleared the ropes and wall and was also the winning runs, knocking off 116 in double quick time (17 overs). Wilko finished on his favourite not out number, anyway up 'soixante-neuf' with Big Jon red inkering 7 not out. Victory was confirmed and the title was in the hands of Wombwell Main. Fair play to the Darfield lads giving the Mainers a guard of honour as they walked off back to the changing rooms, it was really appreciated and showed a touch of class on their behalf.

RB was given a bottle of fizz by the sponsor and ensued to squirt it on everyone in touching distance. With the news coming through the 2s had secured a 10 wicket victory to confirm their promotion as well the party lasted long into the night, with still a week to go. WMCC 1s will play in Div 4 next season and 2s will be back in Div 8. The futures looking bright, the future is looking Orange.