Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs London City CC

The sun was shining (as it hadn't been in Dorset earlier in the week) as we returned to action against London City CC at Footscray. Due to a number of unavailabilities and Colin being taken ill just before the start, Eltham were seriously weakened and started the game with ten men. David Jones luckily stepped into the breach and went on to create a bit of Eltham history later in the day.

Perhaps mindful of the rather elongated tail to the Eltham batting lineup, skipper Bill was somewhat glad that the opposition decided to bat first and attempt to bat Eltham out of the game. This somewhat backfired as both Ricky and Tan took wickets in their first overs. Both continued plugging away, Tan picking up another wicket and Pad fashioning a great run out off the bowling of Webber following a bit of dawdling by the opposition number 3. Pad and Ash took over bowling duties and continued to put London City to the sword, both picking up a couple of wickets with Ash unlucky not to pick up another after a chance was put down by Al.

David and Al then brought a bit of spin to the party, with David taking his place in the Eltham history books with what we believe to be the oldest player ever to take a wicket for Eltham at the ripe old 77, the opposition batsman somehow playing onto his stumps trying to block a straight one. This was a batsman not enjoying the best of luck after apparently being out hitting his own stumps the previous week!

Ricky was then brought back by the skipper to wind things up and duly obliged, taking out the top of off with his first ball before the No.11 was caught by Young after skewing his first ball straight to him at cover. 100 wickets up before 100 runs ??? certainly indicative of his prowess with the bat! It will be a long wait until the hatrick ball attempt on Saturday!

Bill and Young then got the Eltham innings underway and laid the platform for a fairly comfortable win despite some lbw shouts and issues with lost foot markings. Both fell for 12 runs a piece before Pete came in and took the game away from the oppo with 18 in one over. A cameo from Adam and knocks from Pad and Ash saw Eltham home, despite some fun and games with who score the winning runs culminating with a run out attempt which saw the ball hit the base of the stumps but not dislodge the bails!

We resisted discussions about a possible T20 match and headed straight to the bar to celebrate a return to winning ways.

London City proceeded to leave their scorebook and pencils at the ground, which Andy found so amusing he left ours there too!

Ricklaar