Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Hunton Wanderers CC

A great win against a very friendly opposition meant Eltham finished their season on a high. This was cricket the way we like to play it.

Pete Swain lost the toss (again) but seasoned Eltham players were unsurprised at this news. Sent in to bat, Pete looked around for his usual openers, and noticed with a little alarm that they were not playing. Cue the call to Matt "Biryani" Bulpitt and Colin "the Bandit" Wouldham to have a go. Matt hit a swift 60 (having hit the second ball of the day for 6) and was out with the score around 75 - Colin batting at his usual sedentary pace! Matt had, however, set the tone for all incoming batsmen, and the run-rate was helathy throughout the Eltham innings. Pete Swain came in at 3, and was unlucky to be bowled by "The Colonel" with a ball that he defended off the middle of the bat, somehow onto his leg, and somehow from there onto the stumps. Highly unlucky!

Matt Rosenthal then joined Colin, who was beginning to find a bit more fluidity (and also a number of fielders who had clearly been bribed by him prior to the match) and Matt immediately went on the attack with some lusty blows before finding a fielder who Colin hadn't nobbled to be caught for 22. This brought Pad to the wicket, and Pad decided early on that attack would be the order of the day, hitting one 6 to the longer boundary and hitting the changing room roof. When the oppo mentioned that any batsman doing that were expected to make a ??50 donation to club funds, he almost decided to go defensive! He was stumped for a quickfire 42.

Matt Lines, a teacher from Bexley Grammar School guesting for us thanks to Mr Rosenthal, said he hadn't really played cricket before. The 6 he hit into the car park (narrowly missing the RosieMobile that he had arrived in) told us he has a pretty good eye! He was out shortly afterwards but if he ever wants to play for us again, he would be more than welcome.

With Colin still going, Ash's brother (Bashir Senior we believe) came in for some very late fireworks, hitting a couple of 6's in a very brisk 22 not out. This left Colin on 81 not out, his top score of the season.

Following a nice tea, Eltham then bowled well to keep the run rate low and try to frustrate the batsmen. This seemed to work, although Tanveer will feel unlucky to only end up with a single wicket from his very tight spell. Ricklar, at the other end, had more fortune, and catches were also being taken. Notable amongst these were Pete Swain's effort in the deep at long-on, and Andy Redman snaffling a low one to move clear at the top of the catches table for the season. Once Colin removed the dangerous Maguire, it was time to glimpse a little of the future, with young Eliott Swain making his debut for the club. Given that the ball is bigger than he is used to, and the pitch two yards longer, Eliott's 4-over spell was highly promising (especially with his Dad bowling at the other end less economically for his first two overs!). Eliott managed to get a ball to keep low (claiming after due to his low action rather than a dodgy bounce ;) ) and got his first wicket in adult cricket - well done young man!

The match was wrapped up with no alarms for what, on paper, looked easy but in truth these two teams are well-matched, and we hope to play again next season. Everyone went back to the Good Intent pub in West Farleigh, which was extremely friendly with lovely beer (your correspondent recommends the Lancaster Bomber).

Signing off for 2013! Here's to next season! Cheers all.