Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Old Pilotonians CC

Leading up to this game with our old friends - 'The Pilots' - there had been much anticipation and banter through our really rather good website.

Pete Fisher was at odds to ensure that everyone was aware that the game started at 1pm. I am sure this was almost certainly for Asjad's benefit, yet he seemed to have turned into John Kettley for the week, liaising closely with the Met office to provide regular updates to the weather forecast.

Splinters had a new bag ready for the season, with a special pocket set aside for Amelia the cuddly duck, Colin's Zen classes were now in full flow and Derek was at odds to ensure that a final net was organised ahead of the contest - voicing his concern at our Skipper's lack of fielding practice - note to Del - this is a sure fire way to cement the number 11 slot!

Sunday morning arrived (for me rather earlier than I anticipated - thanks Evie), the weather was looking good, the sun was shining, kit bags were packed - roll on 1pm (thanks Mr Fisher).

Derek and I arrived at the venue to see last year's skipper out in the middle playing air cricket - clearly excited at the prospect of being able to focus on his own game without the worries of everyone else.

Within 15 minutes and well ahead of start time the whole team were assembled, out in the middle assessing the wicket and wondering if John Killingley actually owns a pair of shoes.

Whilst the troops went off to change and prepare for battle, our Skipper strode to the middle with the oppo's general for the vital toss. The toss was won and Pete elected to have a bowl first. Possibly deciding that our strength would lie in a chase of runs given the line up for today's encounter. Much had been made of our line up for the day being a strong looking batting side, so a wise choice...time would tell.

Pete threw the new ball to Page who duly obliged by bowling the first two balls of the innings wide and getting spanked through covers for a four on the third. Fortunately for Page he had Kashif operating from the other end who was finding a good rhythm and building up good pace which the opening batsmen were struggling to get away.

The opening ten overs saw few (if any) chances and a decent opening stand developing with Farid particularly impressing.

The first change of bowling saw Wouldham replace Page from the Derelict nets end. Wouldham immediately hit the right spot (has Gail been telling tales) resulting in Farid nodding with approval at his first three balls, for the in-form batsmen could only push forward and defend.

Then disaster struck - there was not only one but two misfields in Wouldham's first over. Redman (wrongly) pre-empted a reaction from the bowler and rushed forward to point in his direction. Yet our esteemed wicketkeeper Redman had clearly under estimated the effect Wouldham's new Zen classes were having. The response from the bowler was to turn back, run in again and get the ball straight back on the spot - what followed was an incredible NINE successive maidens. What was really clever was that Wouldham had spotted the batsman who may take a run off him, so he hit him in the head with the ball so he had to retire hurt before he could steal a run.

The runs had started to dry up with the introduction of Wouldham into the attack. However we were still needing wickets. Wouldham had struck the first blow to the Pilot's by trapping Uppington LBW. Batsman number 4 was then caught superbly by Asjad - again off Wouldham's bowling, the number five batsman followed shortly after - clean bowled - yes, you've guessed it - again by Wouldham. At this point Colin was probably already preparing his acceptance speech for the end of season bowling award.

Despite this flurry of wickets opener Farid was still well set and was looking rather too comfortable - enter Pete Fisher. Eltham's talisman with the bat had decided that batting had become too easy for him and he wanted to turn his attentions to a new challenge - bowling. The Fish replaced Kashif from the 'If it goes over the boundary it rolls down a hill' end. Fisher's first five balls were all right on the spot and offering encouraging signs of turn. Batsman Farid was struggling to read Eltham's answer to Sean Udal and after five dot balls he edged the sixth behind to a grateful Redman. It is worth noting at this point that the edge was incredibly thin - even Snicko would have struggled to pick it up and if that isn't enough, even Derek may have struggled to give it out. However, despite this, before wicketkeeper and bowler had even appealed, the batsman had walked. A fine show of true sporting behaviour which just underlines why we enjoy our matches and the company of 'The Pilot's' as much as we do.

After seven tight overs from Fisher he was replaced by Seeds (The Coach). The skipper had decided it was time to introduce some leg spin. With the middle to lower order batsmen coming in they were looking to get after the Coach, yet despite a few early blows which saw the ball go to the boundary, the Coach stood tall and backed himself. Rightly so as he soon took his first wicket, out thinking the attacking batsman. A Ring (that's the batsman's name) top edged whilst attempting to stroke a steep bender (Easy Rich! - Ed), wicket keeper Redman turned and gave chase and took a great catch over his shoulder. This seemed to give the coach a huge lift and shot of confidence. Shortly after his second wicket followed as Gibson was caught well in the deep by Wouldham.

By now Bulpitt was starting to tire - feeling the effects of 30 overs of warming up as a continuing hint to the skipper he fancied a bowl. His wish was granted as he replaced Wouldham. Despite bowling well the batsmen were now starting to realise that they had to chase some quick runs to post a defendable total. This returned Bulpitt with figures that didn't do the quality of his bowling justice.

Seeds however was in no mood to let the batsmen get after him as he took two more quick wickets, again with the assistance of Redman - a catch and a stumping.

The Pilots finished their innings on 163 for 8 from 44 overs. A respectable total that was certainly defendable on a wicket that was far from flat and consistent.

Eltham were led from the field by the Coach after his excellent bowling display. Two other performances of note were the bowling of Wouldham who took three wickets for not many runs - including those NINE successive maidens and the wicketkeeping of Redman who took 3 catches and a stumping.

Pete's first game as skipper had started well, a very strong fielding display and a number of fine individual performances - including those of past skippers in the side who were always on hand to offer advice and recommendations to the incoming skipper. Colin's was - Bowl me, Matt's was - Bowl me, Fisher's was - Bowl me. Oh well Pete - you know who to turn to should we get a game through the conference against Simba this year!

A tea typical of Old Pilotonian's was enjoyed by all.Let's hope that this tea sets the tone for all this season - a wonderful spread.

As our skipper was deciding his batting order to chase down this challenging total, Bulpitt was again on hand offering up hints that he fancied a bat - already padded up leaving Pete no choice other than to bat him at four. The line up looked strong, every name on the sheet had looked sharp in pre-season nets. It must have been quite a challenge for the skipper to come up with the batting line up given the quality of choice he had at his disposal.

What was never in doubt was the opening pairing that was so successful last year. Asjad and Bisley donned their helmets and marched to the wicket. The opening bowlers were fired up and bowling with good pace, they seemed hungry for wickets. Asjad saw this as a challenge and promptly struck two crisp late cuts, both times the ball whizzed to the boundary for four.

Unfortunately Bisley was soon marching back to the sound of a jubilant Lucy who was finally able to put her cuddly duck to use. Bisley had been caught behind after a gloving short ball whilst attempting a pull shot. The only solace for Bisley was that he could now put that spare pocket in his new bag to use.

Killingley went in at three. For a man who had only been able to make a couple of nets he was looking assured and confident. It looked like both he and Asjad would compliment one another well with their attacking style, whilst Killingley would be able to do the calling of runs between the wicket for both of them. No sooner had they settled Asjad was caught well at first slip to an excellent delivery which left the seam and cut away nipping the edge of his bat. There was little Asjad could do to combat such a good delivery and well taken catch. This left Eltham on 19 for 2 as Bulpitt strode confidently to the crease.

In true Bulpitt style he left little time before getting off the mark and notching (d'oh, nearly typed noncing then - sorry Matt) some runs. The opening bowlers were now starting to tire as both batsmen stubbornly dug in whilst taking advantage of the odd bad ball. This forced the Pilot's skipper into a bowling change as 9ft 9ins Richards replaced Bevis from the Derelict nets end. This proved to be a master stroke as he struck in his first over, clattering the bottom inch of Killingley's middle stump with a short ball?!?!?!?! Killingley could afford to feel well aggrieved at such an unfortunate slice of misfortune. This saw the end of a promising partnership that yielded 29 runs and leaving Eltham on 48 for 3 - the game still very much in the balance.

Fisher came in at five. By this point we saw the need for a batsman to get in and stay in, for a few had made starts only to be ousted as they started to get going. Unfortunately this partnership was not going to provide the stability needed, as Bulpitt fell for 16 only 5 runs later as he returned a Richards delivery back to the bowler courtesy of a leading edge. Eltham were now on 53 for 4, but had plenty of time left to force a result so long as they kept their wickets intact.

Fisher and Swain steadied the boat and put on 28 for the fifth wicket before Fisher (last year's player and batsman of the season) holed out to another Richards delivery for 18. This was a huge blow. Eltham were now at 81 for 5 and had lost the batsman most had thought would carry them through to victory.

Page came to the crease to join his skipper. Instructions were passed on to Page to take his time and have a look at the bowling. The skipper clearly knew only too well what Page's usual batting style was like and therefore the need to reign him in a bit. Typically the first delivery saw a huge heave how that resulted in a play and a miss. The second saw a repeat of the first delivery but resulting in an edge which flew high to gully who fortunately dropped the chance - thanks Colin - that was the guy who was playing with one eye!

Page had kept the strike after running a single whilst the catch was dropped. The skipper strode down the wicket between the overs to have another word. This time Page had clearly listened - another heave how but this time resulting in a six.

A mini battle developed out in the middle - not between batsmen and bowlers, but between batsmen, at least this was the view held by the spectating batting side who thought that they were having a race to get to fifty. A fair view given the way both batsmen were now starting to get after the bowling and pile up some quick runs.

Skipper Swain was leading by example hitting some huge shots and thumping the ball to all corners with great technique and power. Before long Eltham had turned a result that was hanging in the balance to one where they were in touching distance of victory.

The winning runs eventually came courtesy of two leg byes. Skipper Swain finished on 43 not out as Page was left behind in 'the race' on 38 not out - an unbroken partnership of 83 in not too many overs - perhaps Colin would be so kind as to refer to the scorebook and fill in this missing detail (A pleasure Richard - it was 9 overs of great batting - Ed)

A fine start to the season and to Pete's position as Captain of this glorious club.

Reporting: Richard "Bambi" Page