Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Swanscombe CC

Sunday arrived, Eltham CC players awoke to a glorious sunny day. Despite the indifferent weather of the past few weeks, today's match against the all too frequently strong side of Swanscombe would definitely be on...

The team assembled in the car park opposite the ground so that we could cross the road and enter the ground as one - safety in numbers and all that.

The plan today was simple; the skipper was going to win the toss, have a bowl then chase the total down with Bisley dropping down the order to allow him a bit more freedom to rediscover the form which had deserted him over the past few weeks.

They say that bad things come in threes, well...

• Swain loses the Toss
• Opposition COT (Chief of Tosses) elects to have a bowl.
• Asjad arrives 25 minutes after start time and Bisley is asked to open.

So far, not so good, although, despite all things conspiring against us and a general feeling of uncertainty and despair amongst the viewing Eltham players, Bulpitt and Bisley set about their task of opening the Eltham innings in style.

Both started cautiously, checking out the opening bowlers. Bisley was in defiant and determined mood, allowing the wide balls to pass his bat and only playing when necessary for the first few overs. Bulpitt was a little more aggressive looking to put the bowlers on the back foot and force the issue a little more. Fair and sensible approaches by both batsmen given their recent respective form.

Soon both batsmen were into their rhythm and scoring freely, the ball flying off the bat across a lightning quick outfield for a number of joyous fours. Bulpitt went aerial on a couple of occasions smashing two enormous sixes over midwicket.

By now Asjad had arrived and was fully coat-of-armoured up, waiting and lamenting as to what could have been if only had he arrived 30 minutes earlier.

The 50 partnership was passed with ease and in minimal time, next was the 100 partnership, followed shortly after by Bisley's half century. This was greeted to the delight by all the Eltham players watching from the boundary, a popular player who was due a knock of substance and had put the team first today ahead of his own form and general wishes by agreeing to open when he had prepared himself for a middle order berth. Not to be outdone, Bulpitt joined him shortly after in reaching his half century, again to the delight of the Eltham players gathered on the boundary.

Shortly after reaching 150 Eltham lost their first wicket as Bulpitt held out his bat only to play the ball on to his stumps, a fine knock which had set the side up really well to post a competitive total. Asjad strode to the middle looking to continue the good work of Bulpitt and maintain his own excellent form this season.

Bisley continued to fire but was starting to tire (see what I did there?) and a few overs later was out for a brilliant 85. Page went to the crease being told that there were still 10 overs remaining and plenty of time. Four overs later he was marching back having holed out with an edge to second slip for a brisk but all too brief 18.

Fisher Senior replaced Page and played with Fluency (Another new member? - Ed), carving out some beautifully timed pull shots to continue the run rate. Asjad ably assisted from the other end, happily supporting Fisher with some excellent running between the stumps. Fisher finished on a well crafted 21 not out and Asjad on a defiant 35 not out. Eltham had posted a season high total of 270 in their 40 overs. A formidable score which we should surely be able to protect?

Tea was taken and spirits were high. We were yet to win a game this season batting first, surely today we would be getting that Bisley, sorry, Monkey off our backs?

Out we went to field, possibly overly confident and a little less focused than we should have been. Tan opened up from the loud mouth yobs end. Ricky took the responsibility from the other end, a fine ploy from the skipper who looked to take the pace off the ball from one end having seen how quickly the ball flew to the boundary in our innings.

What we hadn't banked on was their openers going after us from ball one. Whilst Tan was able to keep one end quiet whilst bowling at a blistering pace, Ricky struggled a little with his length at the other and their opening batsmen gave him a bit of tap. This however could have been completely different for Ricky had the usually ever-dependable Bulpitt not dropped a regulation catch at mid off from Rick's bowling, the muppet. This could have been the result of a bit of fatigue from his exertions with the bat earlier, however it seemed to weigh on Ricky a little who was hauled off after 4 overs. He would soon be back later contributing a massively important part to Eltham's quest for victory however.

Gary Bill replaced Ricky with his loopy offies that look like leggies. He was straight on the mark and managed to tame the batsmen a little more. At the other end Tan was starting to make in roads. He clean bowled the opening bat and later had the other opener caught at mid off by Skipper Swain. However, despite these wickets, their danger man Amit was still at the crease and looking like he was there for the long haul. Their number three bat was also enjoying his time in the middle, having been dropped twice and surviving a couple of run outs he was starting to hit the ball to all corners of the ground.

Swanscombe passed the 100 mark in the twelfth over and were soon up to 150 and looking favourites. Then Tan struck again with a beautiful slower ball which the batsmen had missed and was coming through for his second swipe at it before it hit his middle stump. Tan returned very impressive figures and had taken 3 vital wickets.

Cressy replaced Tan for his first appearance of the season and looked to continue the good work. Bill meanwhile was still working away from the other end with little success. The skipper was contemplating on a change when suddenly he had the danger man Amit caught brilliantly by John Fisher at square leg. The pendulum had swung back in our favour. Gary bowled out his 8 overs and returned with decent figures given Swanscombe's run rate, but most importantly he had the prize scalp of their danger man.

Cressy was soon into his stride, hitting his mark. However his frustration was beginning to show in having the better of the batsmen yet not quite being able to remove them. This brought about a few heated exchanges with both the opposition and his own team mates, but his focus remained and after changing to come round the wicket clean bowled another big hitting batsman. Cressy then pointed to the pavilion and sent him on his way, a la Simon Jones! He followed this up with a further wicket which saw a brilliantly taken catch by Ricky at extra cover. As stated earlier, Ricky was to come back with a vital contribution, and this proved to be it.

Swain replaced Bill and Bulpitt replaced Cressy. They were to bowl through to the finish. By now Swanscombe needed just 60 runs from 10 overs with 4 wickets remaining. Both bowled tightly but were unable to restrict the run flow as much as was required given the speed of the outfield and the ferocity in which the batsman were now going after the ball. After a few more calamitous missed run out chances and dropped catches, Swanscombe were now firm favourites.

Swain continued to pound in and got his reward when the batsman scooped one up to a grateful Asjad at cover. 30ish to win, 3 wickets and 5 overs remaining.

Bisley then made a great stop in the field at point, fired in the throw to the bowler's end who took the bails for a clear run out. 15ish to win, 2 wickets and 4 overs remaining.

The Swanscombe batsmen were starting to get the jitters and were looking to push all the runs they could by way of getting the established batsman on strike. They soon pushed for a second run as the ball bounded to Page fielding in the deep at cover. The throw came in and Bulpitt took the bails for the closest of run outs. Game on.

Only a few balls later came the tenth wicket courtesy of a suicidal run and a run out by Asjad.

A great game in which Eltham had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a game where at the half way point defeat seemed improbable if not impossible.

Fortunately our fielding abilities had returned just when it mattered.

Reporting: Richard "Bambi" Page