Eltham Cricket Club^{est 1863}

Hoping to fare better than his Australian compatriots, captain Peter Swain won the toss and put Bearsted into bat to face the strong opening attack of Khurram and Tanveer. The pace was too much for the openers, who both fell cheaply. Firstly, a sharp catch in the gully from Colin Wouldham off Tanveer's bowling, and shortly afterwards Khurram bowled the other off his pads. In dreamland at 8 for 2. Bearsted then settled down to a good partnership as we continued to press, keeping runs to a minimum but with Khurram and Tanveer not able to make the crucial breakthrough.

Despite some excellent fielding all round, Bearsted passed 50 without further loss, prompting the skipper to turn to Matt Rosenthal and Ricky Webber for a change of tactics. The change proved the turning point, as Ricky made the all-important breakthrough, snaring the key man with an easy catch from Khurram. The wickets then started to fall regularly, with Matt getting in on the act with a sharp caught and bowled (his first wicket and catch for the club), off perhaps his worst ball of the day! They all count... Ricky then bowled the next youngster to take Bearsted to 70 for 5.

The next three wickets fell quickly - Ricky steaming in down the hill, Matt Bevan taking one catch, Andy Redman with a sharp catch behind, and the third neatly cleaning out the batsman's off stump. No doubt who was man of the day - a first 'Michelle' five-for for Ricky and greatly deserved (5 for 22). Derek Seeds came on to bowl to finish the innings off, and took just three balls to pick up the ninth and final wicket, Colin taking a safe catch. Derek has since expressed an interest in bowling at Swanscombe to improve his figures...

So Bearsted finished 105 all out, in 36 overs, a testament to a tidy bowling and fielding performance all round. So to tea, and those cucumber sandwiches...

With plenty of time, Asjad Mir and Jon Killingley kicked off the Eltham innings, with a tricky young left-armer and leg spinner opening the Bearsted attack. Asjad was unlucky to fall early on after some good attacking shots, being caught extremely well in the gully. Colin Wouldham joined the crease, and looked to get the score going, only to be sent back a couple of times by the cautious Jon - no point in risking that injury! Colin was unlucky to be given out caught behind chasing a wide one - enter Matt Bevan at 20 for 2.

Matt and Jon continued to build the innings slowly, with some big flashes periodically to keep the crowd interested - the highlights being two consecutive well-directed Chinese cuts from Matt amongst some excellent leg side hitting, and an enormous six over long on from Jon. As the bowling attack tired, the runs came quicker, and Jon was unlucky to be caught at deep square leg with 20 still needed. Andy Redman joined Matt at the crease, and Matt continued to despatch the bowlers all over the field - an accomplished performance (43 not out) to marshal Eltham home for a comfortable seven wicket victory in 26 overs. Andy added seven of his own to increase his batting average to over 50. Like Derek, he's asked if he can open the batting next time...

So, a good victory with especially strong performances from Ricky and Matt, and plenty of positives to take into the Petts Wood Tudor next week.