Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Morden CC

Unfortunately, Churchleigh were unable to field a team this weekend and so we had to once again turn to the Fixture Bureau. Our opposition were the strong-looking Morden CC 1st X1, top of their league and without an opponent at short notice. A good performance though saw Eltham win a strangely one-sided affair, given the quality of the opposition.

Gary Bill takes up the story in his own inimitable fashion...

On a bright day with a nice south easterly breeze going across Footscray Rugby Club Eltham arrived for a game arranged via the TheFixtureList Vs Morden CC. Eltham, boosted by the return of Matt Bulpitt after his "sore throat" (or "man flu" as some of the side called it), were all at the ground for the 1pm start only for the great M25 traffic to delay this. Morden duly arrived looking hot and flustered and a timed game was arranged.

Pete Swain lost his first toss of the season but got the result he wanted as we were asked to field. The two Morden openers came to the crease with one of them making a return to the ground where he turned out for his school some 30 years earlier. Tan and Rich opened and both with good line length and pace. It was not long before Tan had Monsoor caught down the leg side by Colin, who was wearing the gloves today for the rested Andy. Then followed a couple of bits of bad luck for Rich both against Newton - first, a beauty knocked back his off stump only to be called a no ball! Then he had a sharp chance high to his right put down by Derek at slip.

So, whilst Newton was going along steadly, wickets were falling at the other end, with Rich finally getting his reward for a great spell and then Tan taking 2 wickets in 2 balls to leave morden 4 down. Rich (1-25) was replaced by Derek and with the last ball of his 2nd over he had Basraa caught at deep mid wicket by Richard. The last ball trend continued for Derek when in his next over he bowled Newton for 46 - the wicket came with a shout of glee by Del as it was his 10th of the season. Tan took one more wicket to finish with 4-50.

Ricky took over from Tan and ended with 2-8, with catches from John and Pete Fisher, but it was Derek who had the final say as he took the final wicket with a great catch from the skipper in the deep to finish with 3-35, Morden all out for 124 in 23.4 overs.

Tea was taken before Eltham set off in pursuit of their target. Some good early bowling keep the score tight, but then both Will and Pete Fisher started to cut loose, Pete taking a liking to the pull shot which brought him a number of boundaries. Pete, looking for a big 6 off one of his pull shots, was then bowled for 30. Will and Matt kept the score ticking and took us past the 100 before a mini collaspe as first Will (39) was caught low down at mid wicket and then Matt (29) was giving out LBW. With 3 members of the side already downing their 2nd pint the batting was changed and Gary came and went in 3 balls to a beauty of a delivery (got to defend myself some way). On walking back Andy soon reminded him he was going to be the 4th member of the duck gallery (with some glee it has to be said.)

Ricky was moved up as poor old Del in the rush of wickets was still padding up, having started the process several hours earlier. We're not sure what superstitious rituals Derek has to perform while padding up, but they do take a long time! Rick edged one through the slips for 4 which pretty much saw us home and meant the strongest 9, 10, 11 Eltham have had for a while in Colin, Rich and Pete could continue to enjoy their pints as victory was ensured by John Fisher. A good 6 wicket win was then enjoyed in the bar after with a few beers and the now very enjoyable plates of chips.

Your corrspondent: Gary Bill