Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Swanscombe CC

And so all good things come to an end. Even the best teams lose the odd game, every now and then (even Aussie teams!) Just pray that our losing streak isn't going to be as long as our winning one !!!

There were some doubts as to whether Swanscombe were scared of us or not, they only had four players available for the first game that was scheduled against them this year. Could they muster a team brave enough to take on the mighty unbeaten Eltham.............?

Well,...... yes and it was rather a good one too!!

So the scene was set for a typical Swanscombe fixture: two eager teams, motorbikes roaring in the background, a hard, dry, grass-free pitch , revellers from a lunchtime party spilling onto the outfield from the bar, dog poo on the pitch..... Hey, where was the poo? I'm not sure there was any! Had the early arrival of Cohen seen to this? He did mention something about removing camel dung from the pitch. Maybe that just a reference to how dry it was? Or perhaps the etiquette of dog owners cleaning up after their pooches reached the Swanscombe Rec. at last?

Anyway, a forty over game was agreed and having chosen to bat, the Eltham openers strode confidently to the wicket. I'm sure that Bisley and Mir talk on their way out to the wicket, they seem to talk to each other between overs. They were talking to each other after the game. So why do they have trouble communicating once the bowler starts his run up?? Answers on a postcard please......

Despite the early loss of Will (not will to live , I mean Bisley!) Asjad and I steadied the ship and despite some good bowling, a few scares including a couple of dropped catches by Amit 'I'm carrying an injury' Patel, the tally moved past 50 and then 100. A big total was on the cards. (On a personal note here, I would unashamedly, and somewhat selfishly, like to mention that I went past 9000 runs for the club during this innings. Hurrah!) However as is usual with Eltham, a twist of fate intervened and Asjad managed to hit the ball onto both pads and then the stumps to end his innings on 57. Page came and went rather briefly, and then after a weak shot, I also succumbed with the total on 155.

Fisher Snr and Wouldham then proceeded to take the score beyond 200 and respectability; if not the huge total that had been expected earlier in the afternoon. After the 'interesting' dismissal of Wouldham on the penultimate ball, Cohen strode to the wicket to open his account for the season and the innings was complete 210 for 7. A good total, but those older players know that Swanscombe regularly chase down scores of 200 on a pitch that looks awful but plays very well.

After tea, the opening Eltham bowlers set about the task of taking Swanscombe wickets. A fine start by Tanveer and Webber kept the total down and the running out of Prosser by a combination of Fisher Snr and Cohen, meant Eltham were probably just edging in front. Of course this wicket meant that Patel was on his way to the crease, looking surprisingly spritely despite his hamstring injury ! Wouldham replaced Tan and was soon to be heard teasing his rival in the averages about having reached twenty wickets first. He has bowled Williams with a beauty.

Amit and Benson chipped away at the total and despite needing 5 or 6 an over for most of the innings looked calm and unruffled. After the tidy start, and first change, the bowling and fielding had started to wilt a little in the evening sunshine and the target slowly came into view.

An energetic, although somewhat erratic spell from Asjad threatened to turn the game on its head. Two quick wickets and Eltham rallied a little. However, at this point the Karaoke evening started in the pavilion. I'm sure that this was a wicked ploy by Swanscombe to make us lose concentration and it worked a treat. How can anyone bowl straight and on a length when someone is murdering tunes faster than Mick fires out his sledging lines. Amit seemed oblivious to the noise (maybe he's tone deaf!)and batted on magnificently. A couple of chances came and went, and with them the game moved away from Eltham's reach.

Thoughts now turned on the boundary to whether Amit would reach 3 figures before the end of the game. Fernando sportingly batted out the remains of an over to allow Amit the strike in order to complete yet another 100. Unfortunately a wild delivery down the leg side went for four byes and the game was complete with Amit stranded on 99 not out. A superb batting display from a good friend...... Bas***d......

And so that's how the run of 12 games undefeated was ended, a 5 wicket defeat at Swanscombe. Never mind, chins up, there's still the rest of the season to look forward to. Losing never worried us too much in the past, so let's not start it worrying us now.

Good matches, friendship and enjoyment of the game are far more important. Cricket is always the winner.

Reporter : Peter Fisher