Langley Mill’s second team made light work of a weakened Nutbrook side to ease into the Wright Cup semi finals and set up a tantalising encounter with neighbours Codnor. In a superb bowling display, the Millers restricted their hosts to 152 for 9 from their 45 overs before reaching their target with ten overs to spare.
The Millers employed their proven cup tactic of opening with spin at one end, and yet again this tactic was successful as Luke Rowley conceded just 16 runs from his nine overs, picking up the wicket of Nutbrook skipper Mark Witham, stumped by Craig Parker for 10, along the way.
Alex Bacon, operating at the other end, bowled John Wilson for 10 before League leading wicket-taker Rich Davey continued with his version of spin. Davey removed Harry Cooke, caught by Oliver Blake for 7, Russell Henshaw, caught by Neil Wing for 15, and Jack Brewer, leg before for 4.
When Andrew Ball bowled Rob Turnbull for 2, Nutbrook were on the ropes at 88 for 6, with only 12 overs remaining. It was only Daniel Lever that kept the hosts in the game hitting a fine 60 before he was caught by Bacon, off Steve Walker.
Ball picked up another when Ben Dawes edged a ball to Parker behind the stumps to depart for 8 and Walker picked up his second, bowling Matt Noon for a duck. Daniel Kerry finished unbeaten on 14 and Richard Edwards on 1 not out as the Nutbrook innings closed.
Skipper Davey returned figures of 3 for 24, taking his season’s tally to 46. Steve Walker’s two cost him 38 runs and Ball’s two cost him 42 runs. Bacon’s solitary wicket came at a cost of 29, but it was Rowley’s opening spell that put the hosts on the back foot that was the pick.
Any thoughts Nutbrook supporters might have had that this was a winnable score were soon dispelled as Neil Wing set off in his usual explosive style. He hit 35 from just 34 balls before he was caught behind by Wilson, off Henshaw’s bowling, with the score on 63.
On the same score, Bacon was also caught behind off the same bowler without scoring, completing a miserable weekend for the youngster, but Nick Wright was defiant at the other end as he and Ball took the Millers within sight of their target.
Wright finally fell with the score on 113, caught by Lever off Brewer. Wright’s knock came off 91 balls and was the mainstay of the Millers’ reply.
The Millers only lost one more wicket, that of Parker, caught by Noon off Edwards for 17, but Ball (28 not out) and Rich Krupiak (4 not out) saw the Millers home by six wickets.
For Nutbrook, Henshaw was the pick with 2 for 24 and Edwards and Brewer took a solitary wicket apiece.
The Millers now face Codnor on July 24th for a place in the final which will take place at Stainsby Hall’s ground and will be against the winners of the Mickleover and Rolleston tie.
Scores: Nutbrook 152-9 [45 overs] (D Lever 60, R Davey 3-24) lost to Langley Mill Utd 155-4 [35.5 overs] (N Wing 35, N Wright 38) by 6 wickets
