Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Butterflies CC

So the anniversary match arrives and there was more than a little magic in the air as Eltham CC were about to discover!

The sun was out, the pitch looked good, there was a smattering of footballers - but few enough to keep away from. Except for a few young lads showing their skills. "Butterflies?" enquired Bulpitt, skipper for the day, "Yes" replied the very polite players. Now it is important to point out here that yours truly proudly comes from that powerhouse school Crown Woods Comprehensive. There was a cricket pitch I believe, and nets somewhere on the field, but I think that was where the smokers and sixth formers hung out with their 'birds'! So being neither cool or old enough, I was banished to the tennis courts where the game of football was being played with a Sondico 1982 World Cup football.

Enough with the education talk, it is August and I feel a Gove type rant coming on!!

Indeed the opposition were a delight, and on turning round and seeing a gentleman in a blazer that had Andy Redman coming out in jealous sweats, Butterflies CC had arrived and the historic moment about to begin.

Bulpitt won the toss, elected to field and Tanveer took the world by storm and said (quietly of course!) "I think I will bowl down the hill today". The Butteflies openers were confident in attacking the smiling assassins full pitched deliveries, and it wasn't long before Tanveer had taken care of them, bowling Richardson with a ball that broke the bails.

Two more wickets for Tanveer, and another from Ash meant that Butterflies were 40ish for 4. Control for Eltham?? So they thought! Slipping in under an invisibility cloak were the middle order batsmen. Whether magic was being used on the sidelines... who knows?

But a brief interlude here to bring Miss Fisher into play! There was a commotion, an Is he Isn't he moment. "That's Dean Thomas!" "Who?" asked the bemused elder statesmen players who had come to enjoy the Spitfire on tap in the bar. "Harry Potter!". What would have happened in days before google. BUt a few brief taps on a phone and Alfred Enoch batsmen number 10 was indeed the one and the same... Follow this link and replace Padma Patil with Chloe Fisher! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUhJ35IJuls

Back to the cricket, Khosla and McGhan were not giving any chances, and with clean hitting and lusty blows were pulling the Butterflies total away from Eltham. 50/100/150 partnership all came up and a tired bowling attack were being flogged around the pitch - a well played innings. 4:30 was approaching and once Khosla was caught in the deep by Bulpitt, the last twist of the day was to unfold. After cutting Tanveer for 4 past backward point, McGhan hit the next ball finer. A diving stop by our very own Harbijan Bill brought the ball to a stop - with his face! Blood everywhere the Butteflies innings came to a close. A massive top lip which was split up to his nose meant a trip to A&E was needed.

TEA

An excellent spread was conjured up by the Fishers and a batting line up prepared. Fisher and Bisley held the quick bowling of Enoch and Warburton at bay, only to see Fisher out caught by a blinder at cover. Bulpitt and Bisley continued to tame the attack, and score runs. "Do one for Slytherin!" was the cry - and under a spell, Bulpitt danced down the track, flayed wildly like a madman and missed a straight ball comprehensively. 2 down 120+ to get and 18 over in which to do it!!

From here wickets kept going down, clean hits were well caught, and a run out of Roberts that made one wince, meant that Eltham were more than behind the 8 ball. However, Eltham held out and drew the match. The teams shook hands, Gary returned from A&E with stitches and a clean shirt, and everyone retired to the bar.

Here it is important to note what an excellent bunch of lads Butterflies were. The game was played hard, with humour and good grace. Beer was drunk with passion, bad jokes and cheese and onion crisps! Also an excellent 150 anniversary cake. And for Alfred Enoch - An excellent chap who stopped to have photos, sign autographs and chat with the Chloe, Sorrel and Rowan. Many thanks.

So a great afternoon and let's not leave it 150 years till the next time.