Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Horton Kirby CC

We picked this game up through the Club Cricket Conference at short notice thanks to Derek, to replace the game on Saturday cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, and we certainly hope to arrange future fixtures here. In a lovely setting, this was cricket as it should be - a nice ground in the sticks, a friendly opposition playing fairly to win, showers and a bar. It doesn't really get better (although perhaps the sun might have shone a bit more...)

The Eltham players arrived early at the ground - well, apart from Imran & Asjad, who clearly hadn't realised that cricket is a sport best played in daylight! Mick Cohen could have strolled to the ground from his house, and regaled those present with details of local country walks. Yes, really. With a full quota, Pete Swain (deputising for the Skipper who was attending Nicola's birthday celebrations - Happy 40th Nicola!) did the decent thing and duly lost the toss. Eltham were sent in to bat in a 40 over match.

As ever with a new fixture, Eltham were keen not to make a hash of their innings, but this was exactly what was on the cards when an out-of-sorts Will Bisley was bowled early doors and was quickly followed by Imran, adjudged LBW by umpire Page. Was it a coincidence that Coach Seeds had been seen taking Richard through the LBW laws prior to the innings? We may never know! But certainly Imran got an edge loud enough for the spectators to hear - unlucky Imran, it's swings and roundabouts you know. When stand-in Swain got an outside edge to spoon a catch to gully, the score was 37-3 from 14 overs. Gary Bill joined Asjad and a mini-revival ensued, but when Gary fell with the score only on 60, and 23 overs having gone, things weren't looking too good. The outfield was very slow and boundaries were hard to come by.

If that wasn't bad enough, the Eltham ranks were cheered even less by the sight of Blocker Wouldham striding to the crease - hardly the man for the acceleration that was needed. Funny game, cricket, though, and Wouldham must have eaten a large number of Shredded Wheat in the morning, since uncharacteristically he went on the attack, using his bat instead of his front pad. With Asjad now finding the middle too, the scoreboard started to move in the right direction. A partnership of 36 was ended when Asjad misread a ball from the spinner Longhurst and was bowled for a patient 59, but this served only to bring Richard Page to the crease. What followed was a partnership of 87 in 11 overs which transformed the feel of the game, with Eltham now looking very much in the match. When Wouldham eventually holed out (feigning exhaustion when he got back to the pavillion and vowing to go to Weight Watchers in the near future) he had made 60, and it is worth noting that he reached his fifty from 44 balls, a surely never-to-be-repeated occurrence. Richard carried his bat for an excellent 42 not out, being supported at the end by the Coach. 188 for 6 from 40 overs - game on.

A great tea was then taken (including pizza - good job Wouldham had already batted), and the Eltham players took to the field with a renewed swagger. Richard Page and Tanveer opened the bowling, Page bowling with his usual mix of cheerfulness and downright hostility and Tan applying a little more guile - a good opening combination. Richard had little luck from his opening burst of 5 overs, but he had kept it tight, and this allowed Tan at the other end to pick up the wickets of both openers, both of whom were bowled trying to have a go. Pete Swain came on and picked up a couple of good wickets in his spell, while Richard Webber showed that (once the slip cordon had stopped yelling advice to him) he could also keep the runs down. One of these days Ricky is going to get a bit of luck and get the wickets his bowling deserves. Until he does, though, Wouldham always seems happy to come on immediately afterwards and get the lucky breaks, on this occasion picking up an LBW that he stopped appealing for half way through!

Imran came on and, in between appeals, picked up a wicket. Seeds, who has developed a nice line in leg spin this year, also came on and got another two cheap wickets, providing a stumping for the beaming Mick Cohen. With Richard claiming a most amusing run out (he chanced his arm when he realised the Horton Kirby Chairman had decided to walk a single and got a direct hit) and Tan finishing things off, Eltham had secured an excellent win by 60 runs.

Mr Bulpitt will clearly note that Pete Swain picked up two catches after putting himself in the best catching positions - a captain after his own heart! Also, Mr Redman will note that Carol Bisley did the scorebook for us in a most efficient and neat manner - and the whole thing balanced. Let the battle of the pens commence!

A couple of jars in the bar afterwards with the oppo saw a very contented Eltham team hoping to renew their acquaintance with Horton Kirby in future seasons. Well played everyone.

Reporting: Colin "Out of Puff" Wouldham