Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Greenheath CC

Welcome to the first September fixture of this campaign. The weather did not disappoint us with a typically changeable early autumn afternoon of sun, wind, cloud and rain. You have got to love the English weather! Today welcomed our old foe Greenheath, and in light of the mixed results this season the skipper decided on a 40 over format. S*%! or bust as they say!

The wicket looked okay, Eltham promptly lost the toss and were sent in. It seems that a dip in results has also led to a failure to win the toss. Now I know how Mr Ponting felt last summer! But let's not dwell on the Ashes, as 5-0 is probably just a few months away.

With a hint of nostalgia John and Colin opened for Eltham, reminiscing of their heyday of century opening stands. Although the pair got off to a bright early start, history was not to be repeated and John departed for 15 to an excellent caught and bowled.

Richard and Colin embarked on a useful partnership with good running between the wickets perforated with some lusty boundaries. The scoring was not as quick as Eltham may have liked, as the opposition bowlers were generally hitting good areas, but nevertheless the scoreboard was still ticking over, and the only drama was Andy doing his best Steve McClaren impression beneath the brolly. The Greenheath scorer is made of much sterner stuff and battled on through the elements.

All of a sudden with a firm shot straight at cover and a call of yes, Richard left Colin with no chance at the strikers end and he was run out for a seasons best 40. Surprisingly only a short glove toss, followed with 'he better get a score'.

The chairman is in recent good form and turned back the clock with some powerful shots, including a beautiful flat six over mid on. The crowd thought it must have been Page! Still feeling like a teenager, Henry departed all too soon for a useful 21.

Matt Bevan enjoyed the walk out so much that he returned almost immediately with another entry to the gallery, and the start of an unwanted game of dominoes. Next in was a fully clothed Derek who had umpired strategically and took Gary's batting position. It's all about experience! Never mind, age before beauty, eh Harbhi!

Derek played back to a low one and was bowled for 1, Pete missed a straight one and was out LBW for 15, and Gary seemed to be somewhere else when his timbers were dislodged for 2, sparking wild celebrations in the field with a maiden 'Michelle' for Dolby. A brisk 4 wickets had changed the momentum, and the target of 200 now looked impossible. Richard decided to pick up the challenge, notching his second half century before holing out for a personal best 59.

Matt Rosenthal made a nervous start, but scored his first runs for the club, quickly following this with a handsome drive for 4. Tanveer played a trademark knock and was bowled for 2. Andy protected his average with another not out, finishing on 2 with Matt unbeaten on 7 as the innings closed on 171 for 9.

A fairly downbeat dressing room pondered 20 or so too few runs, and emphasised the need for a good tight bowling and fielding display. A good contest was perhaps ahead.

With no pickle at tea, the cheese sandwiches were not as popular. There were mumblings of 'Where's Bulpitt when you need him'. It seems that the role of social secretary includes a partial catering service.

The match ball was not in great shape and frantic attempts to shine it were proving difficult as Eltham looked to extract some swing. It is probably just as well the ball didn't swing early as Tan and Matt R were having enough trouble with their early line. The need to keep things tight was not going to plan! Matt picked up an early breakthrough bowling Greenheaths Page for 4. It seems that Page 3 was better than Page 2 today.

In an attempt to stem the tide Pete replaced Matt and promptly started with 5 wides! Great to see the skipper following his own orders! Colin replaced Pete with some excellent leg spin and with Tan finishing his spell in the economic way we have become accustomed to the run rate had finally slowed. The pressure built gradually and Colin bowled Gough before he could manage to run anyone out. This was followed by Williamson trapped LBW to Pete, and at drinks Eltham felt well placed.

Derek took over at the Sidcup end with a good tight spell, picking up 1 wicket, and was unlucky not to take more. Colin bowled out a pivotal 8 overs and finished with 3 wickets for a very economical 17.

Dolby was starting to hit the ball well and was closing in on a match winning display to follow his earlier 6 wickets. He was being ably partnered by the experienced Sawyer.

Matt R resumed from the top end and picked up a further 2 wickets now that he had found a good line and length, following a sharp catch earlier at square leg.

Unfortunately Dereks last over leaked a few too many and the bowling plans were in disarray. Pete took over, but who was to bowl the last 2 at the top? Up stepped Matt Bevan, hoping to have greater success than his namesake last week, with 3 overs and 1 wicket left, and Greenheath needing 21 to win. Tension was building, surely not 2 close losses in succession!

The Welshman bowled a double half tidy (Wenglish) 38th over and Greenheath were on par, 14 to go from 2. The Aussie then served up some further buffet fare before Sawyer took a mistimed swipe and injured his knee. Was this genuine, or was it a bit of gamesmanship playing for the light? After some speculative medical attention and opinion, John soldiered on like a true captain should, albeit with the aid of rather more youthful runner! The youthful running was paying dividends as they scampered some well taken 1s and 2s, before a desperate attempt for 2 was made on the arm of Tan. Now we all know that Tans fielding is at times questioned, but we all equally know he is capable of some staggering direct hits. Today was no exception as he picked it up some 350 metres (the distance gets longer with each mention) from the stumps, turned and threw in a single motion, resulting in a very slow finger of doom for the bewildered Patel.

Eltham home by a comfortable 9 runs! What a game, and how lucky we have been to enjoy 2 excellent close contests in a row. Not sure the nerves will endure a third one at Sidcup though. Perhaps I should just accept their skippers pre-match advice?

Reporting: Pete (always reliable for 5 wides to keep it interesting) Swain