Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Hinton Admiral CC

The final tour match for 2010 was against tour specialists Hinton Admiral at their picturesque ground on a glorious early summer day. This was an occasion for some to remember, and others to try and forget!

The touring party departed in convoy from the base camp for the short drive to the ground and set up alongside the boundary. A few soaked up the sun while others sought cooler surroundings, complaining how hot it was. Ah, the wonders of an English summer. It was chucking it down just yesterday, and we were all complaining about that! It seems some people are never happy! Whinging Poms?

Gary had joined the injury list. John and Andy Redman were taking their turns to be rested. Richard took over captaincy for the day, and was persuaded by the home skipper to bat first on a good looking wicket in a timed game. A repeat of Sidcup 2009? Let's hope not!

Pete Fisher and Colin opened for Eltham, and paid respect to the home sides veteran opening bowler. The other bowler, Underwood, started with good pace and movement, and was causing some discomfort. Both batsmen safely avoided their ducks and left Amelia in the safe hands of the Chairman.

The first bowling change brought early success as Colin was bowled around his legs for 4 after what looked like taking the wrong guard. Bulpitt marched out to join the fray with his customary intent. Henry and Pete S padded up to go in at 4 and 5.

After a patient start the partnership began to blossom with an array of lusty boundaries and good manipulation of the strike. Both batsmen notched up their half centuries and were looking in good form. The scoring rate began to escalate after drinks, with Bulpitt plundering 4's and 6's to all parts, but particularly to the shorter boundary. Several successful searches for the ball ensued, along with some frolicking through the bluebells. Matt brought up his hundred to great applause, and now it only remained to see if Pete could join him, and the two could amass Elthams highest ever recorded partnership.

Time was now running out and Richard, not needing to be concerned about who was batting at 4 let alone 6 onwards, looked just about as nervous as he does on 0 as he thought about what to do if Pete was short of his century. His hardline team mates suggested that a whole innings of batting should be long enough, and if he fell short, he fell short. The final overs loomed, and as Bulpitt tried desperately to feed the strike to Pete, both batsmen finally gave some chances. However, having not had any catching practice for the match these chances were put down, and Pete moved into the nineties. Matt managed to get Pete on strike for the final over with an almost suicidal bye, but Pete was denied a deserved second century of the season, being bowled for an excellent 95. Henry and Pete S declined the offer of going out for the final 4 balls, and the innings closed on a healthy total of 233, with Matt unbeaten on a personal best score of 110. the pair had put on a club record partnership of ?(help please) Matt and Pete were duly applauded from the ground.

Tea was served and bowling plans were discussed. One last push for another victory.

Eltham took to the field with a delighted Wouldham donning the keepers gloves. Tanveer and Khurram opened the attack and were quickly into their stride. Hintons opening pair were taking up the chase with their skipper, Ballard, scoring at a good rate, but taking some risks. It wasn't long before Colin trod in a rabbit hole and joined Elthams growing injury list. Frantic calls to the boundary followed, but alas Redders had just left for home. John was stopped in the car park and came on as reserve fielder while Henry took up keepers duties. Tan and Khurram took 2 wickets each in their opening spells to leave Hinton 4 wickets down with 20 overs to spare, and needing to accelerate the run rate if they were to win. Henry also pouched the first catch behind the timbers this season, much to the delight of Mr Redman.

Andy WG and Matt Bevan replaced the openers and both collected a wicket early in their spells to give Eltham a hint of victory. However, this did not expose the tail which was hoped for, as Hintons secret weapon, AJ Grewall, joined the party. And boy, did he party! Seeds and Swain took up bowling duties, with both, but particularly the latter, being clubbed all over the park! Grewall reached his 50 in no time, and the match was suddenly looking as if all 3 results were again possible. Khurram and Tanveer were brought back to stem the tide for a last throw of the dice in search of an Eltham win, but despite a couple of late wickets, Eltham could only dismiss 8 and the match ended, perhaps fairly, in a draw.

Good captaincy from Richard allowed everyone, except for himself, to play a part in the match. Let's not forget this is not always easy when only 3 get a bat! For my part, I may have been happier to have only fielded, as my bowling figures will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons!

So the tour ended all square, 1 win, 1 loss, I cancellation and 1 draw. Can't say fairer than that! It is notable that this was a better tour record than last season, but one that can perhaps be improved on. Let's look forward to some better home form now!

Reporting: Pete 'please tell me I was only dreaming' Swain