Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Sway CC

The first match of the 2010 Tour saw an Eltham team buoyed by their energetic indoor game from the day before, but weighed down by some very heavy breakfasts at the Premier Inn that morning. The large travelling party set up their chairs and enjoyed a sunny afternoon and friendly hosts.

The oppo's slip cradle was swiftly spotted by several Eltham players and some fine catches were taken before the game, prompting Wouldham to suggest that he thought everything would be going to hand this year, unlike last year. It was swiftly pointed out however that the ones taking good catches (Splinters and Harbhajan Bill) weren't actually playing!

Onto the game and Skipperoo lost the toss and Eltham found themselves fielding. Opening up with Riklar and Tanveer both bowlers kept things tight - although Andy Redman was soon to be spotted ruefully rubbing his elbows and ensuring that umpires were signalliing wides rather than byes!

The first wicket fell as the Sway opener attempted a cut through point but got underneath the ball, sending it high in the direction of the lurking Bulpitt. Sprinting to his left like an ageing Groucho Marx, Matt didn't look like he was going to get to the ball, but amazingly stuck out his left hand and caught a fantastic catch almost behind him. Maybe the slip cradle omens were going to come true. Catch of the season so far.

More was to come however. Asjad took a fine low one handed catch at first slip off the bowling of Swainy, another contender for catch of the season. John Fisher also got in on the act, attempting to turn what would have been a fairly simple catch into a difficult one by the simple expedient of not seeing the ball. Khurram shouted "Catch it John" and was quick to claim credit for at least half of the catch!

Khurram himself came on to bowl a very rapid spell and when Attapattu, last year's big-hitting hero, came in, the match was very definitely racked up a notch. Some snorting deliveries were being dealt with comfortably by Attapattu, with a few smiles of appreciation towards the bowler (met with grunts) and then the batsman launched into a fuller ball outside off stump and rocketed a beautiful cover drive for four. A fine tickle down to fine leg where Tan comically tried to stop the ball with his foot only to see the ball trickle over the boundary, did not improve Khurram's mood. How would the bowler react to this? Rather well as it happened, with a rocket of a delivery which took Attapattu's middle stump clean out of the ground. We don't think that happens very often!

Other bowling efforts to mention were Monica Bulpitt, struggling with his length while over-concentrating on trying not to grunt. Matt got possibly the worst wicket he will ever get when the Sway wicketkeeper scooped up a ball that was just about to bounce for the second time straight to Page at cover. Matt couldn't even bring himself to celebrate, holding his head in his hands in the much the same way he had in the bar the night before when he realised he was sleeping in Bill & Bevan's room! Wouldham got a couple of late wickets but also bowled like a drain, and Pete Fisher was brought on for an over he would like to forget, being tonked for some big heaves.

As the innings closed there was some confusion when it emerged that Carol had scored at least 10 more runs than the Sway scorers! Hasty adjustments were made and Eltham found themselves chasing 190 off 40 overs.

A good start saw Asjad and Pete going off at a run a ball, with Asjad in particular looking good with his cut shots powering to the boundary. Pete was slowly accumulating (Very slowly as it happened - he got a duck! - Ed) but was undone when he lost sight of a ball out of the trees from the Sway left arm bowler. A good opening partnership however and we were on our way.

Another good partnership between Asjad and Matt saw the score continue to tick along. Matt looked comfortable and hit a huge six straight over the Sway opening bowlers head! Biff! Pow! Kerzamm! (that's enough of the Batbull references - Ed). However, this is a ground where Bulpitt gets given out LBW, and today proved to be no exception as Umpire Pete Fisher sent him on his way. No arguments this year

67-2 by this stage and up with the run rate. John Fisher was next in and rotated the strike nicely in his normal manner until he slashed at a wide one and snicked through to the keeper. Still up with the required rate though and in strode Mr Page, looking his usual nervous self when on zero. Quickly off the mark though, Richard lelaxed and was playing very sensibly and making sure the strike rotated with Asjad continuing to put away the bad balls. This proved to be the defining partnership (although Asjad had to retire after getting his fifty) of the match, moving Eltham onto 145 before Richard played over the top of an Attapattu off-break and got bowled. With Wouldham looking slow but comfortable, Khurram took the attack to Attapattu, and with fairly explosive results. Some lusty drives mixed with quality cutting saw Khurram moving Eltham quickly to their target.

There was still time for Wouldham to manage to sky one much to the annoyance of Skipperoo Swain, who was asleep in his pads and had to be woken up to face a handful of deliveries. A couple of blows from Khurram though meant that Pete was able to get a not out, and his day was not spoiled!

So, an excellent win against a friendly and talented Sway team who played the game in a great spirit and made all the travelling party very welcome. We hope to see them again, for attapattu and Khurram to continue their rivalry!

Reporting: Colin "Unable to handle the pace any more" Wouldham

Will continue this in the bar!