Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs NatWest CC

Judging by the scoreline, the reader might think this to have been a run of the mill victory for Eltham CC. In some ways the reader would be right. Despite a solid 70 from their number 4, Nat West failed to score enough when batting first on a good track. Well accustomed in recent weeks to chasing a target, Eltham reached the required 154 with 10 of the final 20 overs remaining. However, very few cricket matches are without incident, cameo performances or milestones reached and this was no exception.

The NatWest batsmen quickly found the opening bowling of Tanveer and Kashif a severe test. Kashif was soon able to celebrate his first wickets of the season going on to take 3 for 47 in his 10 overs. (An analysis that would have been even more impressive had he not taken up the Skipper's offer of "one last over") Meanwhile Tanveer was performing to what has become his accustomed high standard, troubling all the batsmen to finish with 2 for 24 from his 10 overs.

A double change brought on Derek Seeds and Richard Page. Seeds found some turn but he was left wicketless following a missed, albeit difficult, catch in his first over and the refusal of a very confident appeal for a Redman catch behind later in his spell.

The fall of wickets had dried up at this point and the NatWest anchorman, Butt, was finding some support and looking dangerous. However, as it turned out, there was no need for concern. The Skipper took matters into his own hands, coming on for Page and immediately making the breakthrough. He was aided by a superb Peter Fisher catch, taken over his shoulder running away from the wicket towards the long on boundary. With their top scorer gone, NatWest crumpled in the face of the aggressive Swain and the tidy Ricky Webber. Skipper Swain finished with 2 for 7 and Webber 3 for 10.

NatWest had been restricted to 153 by an all round solid performance. Two catches each by Bisley and Peter Fisher plus one each by Swain, Kashif and Wouldham had supported a useful bowling performance. It does need to be pointed out, however, that extras were the second highest scorer and that another superb performance by Andy Redman behind the stumps prevented that figure from being considerably higher. (There were mutterings that perhaps the quick bowlers should club together for a long sleeved shirt to protect Andy's elbows.)

After tea, Peter Fisher and Will Bisley went out to open Eltham's reply. Right from the start Bisley looked comfortable and he went on to score an attractive 40. Fisher, on the other hand, seemed uncharacteristically out of touch and was first out with the score at 33.

Wouldham came in next and in keeping with his re-found aggressive approach pushed the score along with the stylish Bisley keeping pace at the other end. Bisley perished after they had put on 45 and Wouldham was not to continue for much longer. His 29 was far from his best this season but hidden amongst those runs was his 9000th for the club. A marvellous accomplishment, which keeps him fourth in the club's all-time run scorers list. Congratulations, Colin.

At this point John Fisher should have come to the crease but he was "fiddle-arsing" about in the bowels of the pavilion with a displaced contact lens. The Skipper was not prepared to wait and promoted himself to get things done quickly, there being only 54 more runs needed.

We all know that over the years the Skipper has shown very little evidence of approaching his batting in any way other than "getting things done with quickly". But, on this occasion, there was a reason other than his natural inclination. A storm was brewing. In the distance, jagged lightning flashed across the sky and rumbles of thunder provided a regular backdrop to the cricket. Indeed the wily Natwest skipper had earlier asked Wouldham if he was happy to continue with forked lightning so close since he had concerns over the safety of his own charges. Having never been "offered the lightning" before, Wouldham could only reply that it looked the storm was moving away and he was happy to continue. At least that was what we think he was referring to when he was overhead muttering "Fork off""...)

In the middle Swain had been joined by Fisher Snr on the departure of Wouldham. Swain opened his shoulders and Fisher Nudged and nurdled. To Swain's annoyance he fell all too quickly to a superb mid-wicket boundary catch off a full-bloodied flat pull. To rub salt into the wound the fielder was a rugby player co-opted into NatWest's side at the eleventh hour.

With the storm still threatening but, mercifully, having halted its progress in our direction, Page came to the wicket and continued the good work, rattling up a quick 34, including two larges maxiumums, to reach the 154 target.

A very satisfied Eltham team retired to the pavilion bar to reminisce and round off an enjoyable afternoon.

Your correspondent: John Fisher