Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Hinton Admiral CC

And so onto Hinton Admiral for our eagerly anticipated and final game, of a superb 2012 tour.

The Wednesday Hinton game was even more important to everyone, as the Tuesday game had been lost to the elements. As much as a good indoor cricket thumping of "VC Bulpitt's Run out Chargers" was, if not a little embarrassing (so easy was the demolition/annihilation) for the winners "Swain's Super Kings", it is the outdoor (non cheating) form of the game the we all love to play.

A warm welcome was given by the superb gents of Hinton Admiral, and it was clear to all that a good game, played in the right spirit was only just moments away.

Pete won the toss, and put Hinton in to bat, on what was still a bit of a damp pitch.

Ong opened up the innings with an on drive for four off the first ball. When that happens, it normally isn't an encouraging sign... fortunately Ong was soon run out as a mix up with Clifford left Ong at the mercy of Colin's arrow like throw which bazookered the stumps, like... a bazooka.

Adnett was next in, and was promptly returned to the pavilion off of Tans bowling, and a smart catch by Matt. Although with our current catching performance, any catch held can be considered a smart catch... Just ask Droplaar and Teflon.

Yaasar and Tan continued, without much luck, with Clifford opening up and finding gaps in the field like the prosecution finding gaps in a certain J Murdoch's evidence. However fortunately the young batsman James was digging in for the long haul, and looking exhausted in the process.

Matt "Lord of the pies" Bulpitt was summoned to replace Tan (I think), and Gary replaced Yaasar, however Clifford kept piling the runs on, and James kept digging deeper and deeper. The runs did start to come for James, but more by a gentle osmosis effect, rather than tearing the bowling apart.

Swain was soon into the attack replacing Piepitt - sorry I mean Bulpitt (he's literally just bought me lunch so I had best go easy on him), and bowled an incredibly economic 8 over's, tying both batsman down, and getting the wicket of Clifford, who had compiled a whopping 74 in rapid time, whilst James had scored about 9 runs!

Harbie bowled well, but took a little stick as the Hinton batsman were looking to up the run rate. James started finding the gaps, and as we had already found out, once the ball went through a gap, it was generally a question of whether it was a 4 or a 6!

Splinters was brought on for a 3 over "containment" job, as Eltham had realised that the Dorset Under 17 rising star was the next in. Dot balls not wickets was very much the plan. After a fairly economical 2.4 over spell, splinters managed to bowl Hennessy, which brought in the big hitting J Underwood to the crease (I'll call him Junior from now on). This then nicely coincided with poor old Yaasar and Tan returning to bowl the last few over's.

On seeing Splinters take the wicket, Pete allegedly took himself off straight away, just to protect his figures... I've completely made this allegation up, however it seems to conveniently fit the scorecard.

James kept scrapping away, and at one point was so exhausted look like he might vomit into his own helmet, with Splinters helpfully and politely suggesting if he was sick, please don't do it on the wicket.

Junior was getting into his stride now, and frightfully looked like he might outscore James' 35 over effort in just 5 over's. Unfortunately an opportunity to halt Junior's assault on the scoreboard was dropped by Teflon at mid "drop" wicket.

So Hinton finished with 219 for 4 off of 41 over's, with James finishing on a leisurely 62, and Junior Underwood on a rapid 39.

Tea and biscuits were taken, actual tea had been forfeited, due to the possibility of inclement weather...

Eltham opened up with The Fish and Splinters (almost sounds like a name for a pub!), and both were keen to keep the scorecard ticking nicely, as 219 felt a gettable total, certainly with the ease of the Sway run chase fresh in everyone's memories.

If I'm honest, I'm not sure who Hinton opened with? It was Ong, and someone else as G Underwood bowled some pie like deliveries later on that enabled him to pick up two wickets, me being one of them?

Boundaries were found almost as regularly as for Hinton, and the Eltham fifty was reached pretty quickly, without loss. Unfortunately a running mix up left the Fish stranded, and he was run out for a very solid 28. Colin was next in, and initially struggled a little, but then declared after the drinks break he was going to hit out or get out, in an effort to propel Eltham towards the far off figure of 219. Luckily he did the former before also doing the later departing for 51, but not before some lovely four's and a few big sixes as well. Splinters continued to push along and soon brought up his fifty. Whilst Hinton had brought on the very quick Attree, who was proving fast and accurate.

It was only a matter of time before Junior was brought on to bowl, with a long run up and the keeper standing up, Splinters didn't know what to expect. It turned out he was pretty quick, and even quicker after being pulled for four. Funny that.

Meanwhile Matt had joined Splinters at the crease and 219 was looking ever closer, but dot balls were best avoided.

Splints got himself out to an Underwood straight pie for 77, bringing Teflon to the crease. Teflon opted to bat left handed, blocked out the over, and then got bowled by a Junior Yorker next over. Quack, quack shouted Amelia.

Pete was next in, and nobody could work out whether victory was in sight or not. Pete hit a 2, and was then caught by Junior off of G Underwood - Dad I'm guessing, perhaps I should have been a Detective.

Yaasar was next in, and promptly bowled for 1, off of Junior again!

This left the glory to Bill and Bulpitt, with still enough balls remaining that Eltham could actually win, lose, draw or tie. But no one ever ties, so that wasn't going to happen.

A few more boundaries from Bulpitt, and the game was hanging in the balance. We could, I repeat could do it!!

3 balls remaining, 13 to win! A big ask by anyone's standards.

Junior bowling to Matt. Big 6 over square leg. Surely not???

Junior bowling to Matt. Big 6 over the covers. Flipping heck!! Scores level, one ball remaining, we're actually go to do it, this is amazing, the best win, we'll ever have had.

Last ball...

Junior bowling to Matt. Bowled. Thanks Matt.

Score level. Game tied!

And with that, the game and 2012 tour was over. A great game, with both teams probably shocked at what nearly happened, and what could have been. A great effort by the ECC top 4, particulalry Matt at the end and a wonderfully enjoyable tour, on and off the pitch.

Onwards and upwards!

Regards

Will.I.am's got a Splinter... from his bat.