Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Locksbottom CC

Having dried out from the previous week's rather damp encounter with Greenheath at Waring Park, the Eltham faithful arrived at sunnyish Tugmutton Common to witness the latest cricketing feud in the Bulpitt/Mosedale family. Bragging rights were up for grabs for another year.

Eltham's Bulpitt got in first by winning the toss, and choosing to bat - a shrewd move considering we only had 8 players at the time. Was this decision by gentleman's agreement? Did he threaten to reveal a family secret? Did he offer his opposite number a pint after the game? We may never know.

Hang on, I hear you cry. 8 players! What is Eltham CC coming to? 8 players? Well, it was Cup Final Day (West Ham vs Liverpool), so a few had the old 'can't miss the football' excuse; some were just 'busy'; others had family visiting for the day. Pah!

However, taking all this into account the team secretary still expected a team of ten players. Where were the other two? A quick look round and it was obvious that the bowling attack looked a little weaker than normal. Strewth! Where were George and Michael? A rapid phone call revealed that they were in heavy traffic 'north of the river'. Which river wasn't quite clear, although somewhere in the Murray/Darling River system was favourite, particularly if they were caught in the thick black mud that it is famous for (apparently!)

Anyway, they weren't present at the start. So we batted with instructions to take it steady. Wouldham seemed to take this to heart and proceeded to score at a snail's pace, whilst Fisher seemed to be in a hurry for kickoff in the Cup Final (showing on the TV in the changing rooms.) This was borne out when he holed out at 2.55 pm, perfect timing!

Out to the wicket strode Bulpitt, looking surprisingly nervous considering he does average over 30 against Locksbottom! Maybe he was still concerned about the lack of team mates? Anyway, he soon got into his stride and despite losing Colin, he moved fairly comfortably to double figures and then on towards 50. However, it should be noted that he did raise his bat a little prematurely in the thirties, when the assembled crowd applauded a six. "Maybe he should learn to keep count!" was a muttered comment from teammates.

Ably assisted by Swain, the total crept past 100 and Bulpitt duly reached his fifty. The team also reached full strength with the arrival of the travellers from afar. George immediately looked concerned about his reign as fantasy league champion, as Bulpitt had added to his tally from last week's bowling stint.

With the fall of Swain, new member Edwin Hodgson made his way to the wicket and gave good support to his skipper. Despite a few dodgy moments, Bulpitt eased past his previous best of 67 and on into the eighties and then the nineties. However, he seemed to be unaware of his total and was more concerned about the declaration and tea. "Maybe he should learn to keep count!" was again a muttered comment from teammates. A hurriedly prepared glass of water and a quick chat from Fisher informed him of the situation.

Even the prospect of batting with George at the death failed to stop Bulpitt reaching three figures. (Think of all the fantasy points that could have been saved by an accidental run out!). And so, with the total at 176-5, the innings was closed. Applauded all the way to the 'pavilion', Bulpitt revelled in a job well done and bragging rights secured. Congratulations and welcome to the exclusive Eltham 100 Club.

After a good tea, a buoyant Eltham side took to the field. An excellent opening burst from George and Michael managed to remove the openers, but the other Locksbottom batsmen were proving rather stubborn to get rid of.

However, the introduction of Swain and Hodgson to the attack opened the door and a couple of quick wickets, including a smart stumping from Wouldham, had victory almost within Eltham's grasp. However, it proved just out of reach when Fisher managed to drop Mosedale first ball (wouldn't that just have made Gareth's day !!) and then managed to catch, juggle and drop the steadily scoring Bull.

Victory out of sight and gone. And so, despite George's best efforts to conjure up some magic with some Aussie spin bowling at the end, the game fizzled out into a draw.

Thus Eltham CC awaits a first win this season, but with captain Bulpitt absent next week (recovering from a week in the Isle of Wight retelling the story of his hundred over and over to his class), it might fall to the stand in vice-captain to achieve this victory. Who will this stand in be? Well, it seems that it's time for some Aussie strategy to be employed, with George getting the nod. Just hope he can make it to the ground on time to toss up!

Reporting: Pete Fisher