Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Shooters Hill 2001 CC

So the final home game of the season was upon us. After the weekends events had already seen England overcome the mighty Georgia and a certain Australasian team being beaten by Ireland, thoughts turned to Eltham's final home game of the season against Shooters Hill.

Pete won the toss and decided to bat, perhaps wary of Eltham's inability to chase down scores this season. The decision to bat was somewhat of a surprise to many within the Eltham team, who, conscious of the predicted thunderstorms, lightning and torrential rain forecast for later in the afternoon, were hoping to bowl first.

Asjad, looking for the 20 or so runs he needed to take his runs for the season past 500, and Al strode out to the middle. All was wearing somewhat unconventional cricket kit involving aviator sunglasses and a grey woolly jumper. Whether this was his take on a new Eltham kit or not is open to interpretation.

A decent start with scoring at nearly 5 an over was made, with Al falling for a respectable 6 after some good shots down the ground. Asjad also looked in good touch until, on 25, he misplayed his favourite pull shot straight into the hands of the grateful fielder.

Pete, Pad, Derek, John and Tan all came and went as a familiar middle order batting collapse threatened to end the Eltham innings quicker than an Alex Ferguson interview.

Andy came in and steadied the ship and was joined by Ricky as, with more than ten overs left of the innings, Eltham tried to put together a competitive total. Andy looked in good touch and had made 19 before being forced to retire hurt with a nasty leg injury suffered whilst trying to take a quick single. Andy???s prophetic discussion before the start of the match regarding ending the season at Sidcup probably now at the forefront of his mind.

Eltham managed to hold out until the very final delivery when David was bowled for 10. Ricky was not out 10 at the other end.

A great tea debut by Pad was then enjoyed by all (if you are not careful Pad you will end up doing tea every week!) before Eltham took to the field.

Neither Ricky nor Tan could get the breakthrough despite some tight bowling and, as the batsman started to open up and play their shots, Matt and Pad were brought on. Despite an excellent run out by Pad the runs continued to flow, with the Shooters Hill opener Gayle having more luck than Eltham have received all season. Despite Matt finally bowling Gayle for 44, by this point just 6 runs were needed for victory.

After a quiet first four balls Pad took suddenly took two wickets in two balls with the last two deliveries of the over. A great catch then followed from Pete Swain off Tan???s bowling and the wickets were starting to flow. Unfortunately Eltham had left themselves too much to do and off the next delivery the ball was dispatched to the boundary to chalk up yet another defeat. Pad???s first ball next season will be a hat trick ball ??? no pressure then Pad!

Eltham were left to reflect on just two wins at home all season and a chance to end the season with a much needed win away at Gravesend next Sunday.

One final point should be made in that Derek came up from the changing rooms about half hour after everybody else with a variety of clothes and even some car keys. It turned out that Asjad had `done a Tan` and left most of his wardrobe behind!