Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Natwest CC

Saturday 23rd June arrives with a special committee meeting organised by Philip "Tonker" Thompson. The main topic is what to do with the cricket bat given to us by Gloucestershire CCC. The decision is made to sell it on eBay, or alternatively just use the thing. Colin offers to use it as his own bat on the basis that he never uses the face of the bat and the signatures will remain unscathed.

Meeting over, Ray (the Duke, David Dickinson) arrives with the most outrageous tan from his holiday. Several members think that he has been tango'd.

Stand in skipper Pete Swain loses the toss and Pete Fisher and Colin are sent in to face the might of Natwest fast bowler C.Chaney. After nine overs of short pitched bowling they progress well with a stand of 38. Colin becomes the first wicket to fall when he plays his favourite shot (a dink to third man) misses the ball and is bowled.

In comes stand-in skipper Pete Swain and with Pete Fisher's help they put on a fine partnership of 56 before "Stand in" is bowled sweeping to leg. Pete Fisher continues to play very well scoring heavily on the leg side and shares in two 50 something partnerships with Tonker (who makes his highest score for Eltham) and Andy Redman, who gives solid (and occasionally destructive) assistance to Pete. A quick word on Tonker who display elaborate Fred Astaire foot movement to anything outside off stump, and statuesque foot movement to anything on his leg side. In fact the only thing Tonker moves when the ball is travelling down leg is his backside!

A sneaky drink brought on to the pitch by Mick Cohen results in Pete Fisher hitting a very large six over midwicket, which further results in the threat of a random drugs test after the game.

The nervous nineties arrive for Pete Fisher, but he sails through with more good shots to finish on a magnificent 108 not out. Congratulations Pete on a marvellous knock. Natwest seem to attract Eltham centuries, being on the end of an assault from George Power two or three seasons ago.

Richard's first tea is laid out, but Colin immediately spots that his favourite egg sandwiches are missing, and further rumblings are heard regarding the non-appearance of Quavers. Not to worry Richard, I committed a worse crime by removing the crust from the bread a few weeks ago, which prompted an inquiring phone call from our senior wicket keeper to my wife. (Editor's Note: The crust mountain also prompted a large number of birds attacking Derek's back garden that afternoon.)

Play resumes after tea with Natwest chasing 202 to win. "Stand in" is bowling and soon gets the first wicket with a juggling catch off his own bowling but before Eltham can make further inroads into the Natwest batting line-up, heavy rain begins to fall and play is stopped for around 30 minutes. The game starts again after both skippers agree to play on for 20 overs. Natwest batsmen soon make up for the delay by scoring quickly and are up with rate before Ricky, with an excellent run out and two wickets, slows down their progress. The game eventually ends honours even in a draw.

Natwest reminded us in the pub after the game that their wicket is a bit livelier than our one!

Reporting: Derek "Extension Leads" Seeds