Eltham Cricket Club^{est 1863}

Now on to the first post Dorset match report. After a short net session where our "old" friend John Killingley had his first attempt at batting this season, we were told that our match would take place on pitch two. Much to our surprise we found the playing area was not in mint condition; large parts of the outfield had been dug up and replaced with turfs causing it to closer resemble a BMX bike track than a cricket field. But in true Eltham spirit the lads put out the boundary markers, set up both wickets and went to the changing rooms to prepare for the match. Someone had a word with yours truly (the coach) about the condition of pitch two. Before you could say "is Derek still in the changing rooms?" the coach had spoken to the powers that be and the game was switched to pitch one.

Pete won the toss and asked our Beatrix Potter opponents to bat. The weather was overcast but pleasant as the game got off to a slow start, with Khurram and Ricky both bowling a good line and length. Khurram was the first to strike having the opening batsman Boulter caught off a skier on the leg side by Andy Redman who claimed his first catch of the season.

Our opponents then began to take control with two good partnerships; the first being broken by a superb catch on the boundary by Richard (possibly the catch of the season so far) which dismissed the dangerous Taylor from Ricky's bowling. The other batsman in this partnership Wercell went on to make a well-made sixty five, but Eltham fought back by taking two quick wickets through Pete Swain and Khurram. Back came our opponents with a second good partnership which was ended by the coach who told the skipper that he would bowl the batsman a leg spinner if he came down the wicket. Amazingly the ploy worked when the batsman was stumped by a country mile by our ever alert wicket keeper Andy. Wind and the Willow finished very strongly on 257 for 7 wickets with Ryan scoring a rapid half century. Pete and Khurram finished with two wickets each, with Derek, Matty and Ricky taking one each.

A hearty tea was enjoyed by all, and after that it was Eltham's turn to bat. A new opening partnership of Richard and Pete Fisher began the innings at a good pace, but unfortunately Richard was soon out caught. In came our centurion from the last tour match, Matt Bulpitt, who started off as though he was after another century ,scoring quickly along side Pete. Things were looking good but disaster struck when Pete's lovely straight drive was diverted by the bowler onto the wicket with Matt out of his ground.

The next stroke of bad luck came when Pete Fisher was attempting a cover drive from the bowling of Rat and the ball came off the edge of his bat to bowl him. This was now a situation for our skipper to promote himself up the order and try and save the day, and with the help of our Mug of the Tour winner, Matty they proceeded to put on a fifty plus partnership. Matty was next out after hitting a wonderful leg side six to another skied catch. In came Khurram to play as only he can, by hitting his first ball for four runs and together with the skipper we had a period of big hitting. Both batsmen scored freely, including an incredible square cut for six. But good things do not last for ever and the batsmen were out shortly after, and it was left to a good rearguard action from John Fisher and Andy to save the day for Eltham and salvage an honourable draw.

In conclusion it was a fair result against a strong side with an average age of twenty six (Eltham's average age on the day was forty one). The match was played in good spirit and enjoyed by all.

Derek (the coach)