Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Belhus CC

As a select few turned up, those that know what a journey it is to Belhus, crossing that dreadful Dartford crossing, we had left a bit earlier and made it for the meet time.

 "Ping" went the group chat, it was the first message from Pad, we are stuck in traffic and will just about make it on time, can someone else do the toss and we will bat first (as Pad, Pete s, Elliot and George were all in the same vehicle). We would just have to arrange the batting order to suit as both captain and vice captain were in the same car along with the top order batsmen. We had a little giggle as to who would open and who would be in shortly after knowing our batting skills.

"Ping" another message from Pad, " Pete S seems to be driving a Ferrari, we will be there 10 minutes before start so maybe lets bowl first. Pete F goes out for the toss. We are fielding first. Next "Ping" Brad has sent a message to say he will be delayed". This is a great start to the penultimate game of the season.

Pete Fisher had brought his wife along (Sandra) to watch the game. Which was nice to have some support from the Eltham community, so big thank you to Pete and Sandra for this, any support is a huge boost to our club. The weather had been wet the days before but today was a good day for cricket, it was mild with a cool breeze, not cold, unless you were standing still and out of the sun light, which we bathed in.

This was a glorious day, could it get better?

We started off fielding with 10 players, Mark alongside George were going to get us underway, Mark was the opener and George second bowler. There were some close calls but, it was wicketless  so far for the opening pair, Belhus are now on 53 for no wicket.  George makes the breakthrough and its the first wicket down.  We take drinks, Mark had the batsmen all tied up at times with some loopy balls.

Next bowling change was Pad on for Mark who had clear intensions of what he wanted today, and it was that Eltham were not going down without a fight. Next in with the ball was the admiral, who with his new, I'll make the batsmen wait as long as possible before I bowl the ball. (a stand on his mark, swing of the knee, spin the ball from right hand and catch with the left, followed by a shrug of the shoulders, and then repeated again to then only have two steps before he releases the ball), which probably not only frustrates the batsmen but his team mates.

The admirals bowls one sees the ball pass the bat and starting to go up for LBW but then sees that it has passed the pads and takes the bails off. No need to appeal Clinton, you've got him clean bowled. This only left him salivating at the fact he was top wicket taker for the season so far. Next 4 balls were dots, followed by a slightly shorter ball that was hit high to deep mid-wicket and caught by Mr safe hands "Elliott", another wicket down.

Padster takes a wicket during what is a very good bowling spell, this is a really good bowling and fielding spell for Eltham, there were no shouts of "unlucky" today.

The wickets are tumbling, Belhus were on 53 for no wicket and now they have lost 5 for 17 runs, we are on a roll here boys. Elliott gets his bowling orders as we don't have many bowlers on show today, and kindly comes up with 3 wickets for a handful of runs, and  take best bowling figures  for the season, is there nothing that this boy can't do?

All the bowlers have tried to better themselves over the season and then "Jonny come lately"  takes 3 wickets for nothing. ( Elliott we love you but, shove off and stick to fielding and batting mate and leave the bowling to us, haha)

The Belhus innings comes  to an end on 126, its tea.

We all tuck in and enjoy the sunshine with a beer, for the few that think a beer helps their batting. On a weekend when the Grand Tour Release their final episode "filmed in Zimbabwe", Clinton was overjoyed and asking, had anyone watched it yet?" This died a short and painful death, as no one had. Tea was over and we were to start the chase down of only 126.

I think we can safely say that that our bowlers and fielders did us well to get this total to chase. There were no drop catches today. Could Sandra have been a good luck charm?

Eltham start their innings, Greg and Pete F in to bat as the opening pair, not sure if it was great bowling but they both seemed to be the "captain slow, James May" of Eltham, runs seemed to be far and few between. What seemed like a long afternoon of cricket brought both their wickets on a healthy 19 apiece. Although we didn't need to score quickly with this total to chase down, it was a slow start, their bowlers weren't giving much away.

Swainey to the crease alongside Brad, One ball was a half tracker that got dispatched for 4 shortly followed by a full toss that Pete S said thank you very much, and smacked the ball for six, it hit the only tree in the ground. This brought some valuable runs. Brad is out for one, his contribution in causing chaos in the bowlers head, from right hand to left hand batsman is invaluable. Pete drills one through extra cover, low and hard, it is stopped by the fielder, that must have warmed is hands. This time Pete lifts it up in the air to the same field who holds on.

Elliott and George at the crease now with still more than a handful of runs to get, surely these two would get us over the line. George has been in fine form and Elliot savours these moments. It wasn't long before we all, in unison shouted, great shot Elliot which he, smacked  back over the bowlers head and went for four, there was one voice that was not in harmony " great shot but not a six son" from you guessed, Pete S, the six league between these two is a 
rivalry, that has great laughter and love.

This partnership was short lived. Next in was Pad, who in a short time, run George out in, what was a ridiculous call for a run when pushed straight to square leg, I suppose it was the heat of the moment to win at all costs, George was run out cheaply.

 Next in who had been pushed up the order "apparently for his quick fire 4's" was the Admiral. Guard was taken, bowler told long on an long off to come in, he doesn't look like he can hit over the top lads.

First ball middled straight back past the bowler and between his fielders for 4, that will learn yer, Clinty loves a shot straight back past the bowler.

Pad takes a shot to deep square leg and we run 3. Next shot from Pad and we have won the game. This is a great result against Belhus, they had some fantastic batters. bowlers, and more so their fielders.
Well done Eltham, on a fine victory, but hard fought for.

over and out The Admiral