Eltham CC

Match Report

Match report Eltham CC Vs Bardhill CC

This is the first home game of the season, after being a wandering side the previous. The wicket looked good and the outfield as good as its ever going to be, it was a great welcome to be back at our home ground. There were a few early birds that stood and watched in disbeleif the boundry flags were being put out for us by FCSC manager. As more Eltham players started to arrive there was a good feeling that we were about to have an afternoon doing what we love, locally, rather than travel miles.

The opposition mentioned they used to play in the field next door that was in eye shot. Now overgrown and looking like a greenspace not well used.

We  had a fairly good team, which also consisted of a member of the regular teams son to help make the numbers as both Eltham cc and Bardhill were not at a full complement. Sam Wouldham was filling in to help get the numbers up and would prove later that he was more than just making up the numbers.

The captains made their way out to the middle for the toss, We lost and were made to field first. 

First Innings

The weather was that where it was cold and cloudy, the sun was hiding. We all made our way out the field, which looks so much larger than the what we have been playing on in the villages around Kent our prviuos season. The opening pair of bowlers would be that of Georgie boy and Clinton. The first over goes well Gourge and not much is given away, George was bowling down the hill, that from left to right looking at the field from the bar, the bar being the place we all love to be. Clinton bowls wide after wide, how long can an over take to bowl was the question to be asked.

 The next few overs were alot better with a couple maindens and just misssing the outside edge, all the while Georgie boy kept them on their toes with his pace that poped up occassionally.
It was the first bowling cahnge and on came Lyndsey and Charlie, the captain felt spin was going to good on this wicket, Charlie was getting the ball to pop up and the batsmen where defending shots near their rib cage, not sure how he was getting the ball that high but he sure was, Lyndsey was doing much of the same he usaully does.

 A few overs in and Lyndey produces on of those "I'm gonna get the ball to go the opposite to what you think is coming at you" and take bowls the batter top of off stump. Great ball and good wicket as they were starting to settle, Lyndsey took another. It was time for drinks. During drinks Colin made himself available to bowl and so the gloves changed hands to Elliot. After drinks, Colin and Sam would be the next bowling change.

In Sams first over there was anticipation, his first over went by with not much in the way of bad balls, he did really well and had a good spell, the odd ball was knocked away for runs, but thats cricket. It would be good to see him again, building confidence and just getting used to being out there.

Colin bowled one that was knocked to mid wicket, where there was an empty space, there was a call for a quick single and Colin went for the ball and spun round quickly and throught at the non strikers end. Direct hit, the batsman was out by a bats length.

This was a big wicket as the previous over the bastman took Colin on and hit a straight drive back over the bowler for four. He went for the same shot but only hit it to long on where Lyndsey dropped a catch, this brought on that Woulham red mist where everyone is not putting in any effort, much to the dismay of the admiral as he had just pulled a muscle trying to to stop over throws and played on in pain.

Clinton was being put in slipas he could no longer run. Did this stop him? No anything that went either side of him he chased down on one leg, until he was basically asked to leave the field before more damage was done. we now played with only 9. Pad was in on the last change ange as ever was wizzing the ball down at pace.

Any bit of bat and it was running away as we were short a player. The innings comes to an end and the score is 170. It was time to have a well earned tea. Elliot walked over and asked if i wanted a pint with my feed, Yes please that would be nice, to which Charlie called it medicine for me, thanks Charlie, you clearly know me well. 

Second Innings

The innings started with Greg and Swainey, it started off as normal with caution as there was a decent total to chase down. It was not a good start for Greg as he was caught and out on a duck. In came Elliott, it was going to be a day where the swains would see who out did each other. 

It was a great watch from the side as both dispatched bad balls, some good balls to were smoked. Pete called for a single when he was half way down the wicket and it was either Elliott stays and gets his dad run out or go now and put everything into it, which he did, he had to dive, bat out stretched in front of him while the ball was thrown, it was so close. Any square leg umpire would have to make a descision. He was adeemed to have only just made it home.

After that there was some very loud and good calling. Pete broke his bat again, a replacement bat was brought on for him to continue the onslaught. Just before drinks Pete walked over and asked was this bat broken when it was brought on, No there was nothing wrong with it, Pete had broken the replacement bat, for goodness sake Pete you don't have to hit the ball that hard. 

At drinks Pete was given another bat to break if so should choose. It wasn't long before both Swains had thei hal centuries. Pete was out first, shortly follwed by Elliott. We had a good score now and seem to be coasting to a victory off some really slow loopy balls. Although the bowlers were getting hit, they still just pluggged away and got their rewards. I think they were glad to see the back Pete and Elliot.

The new partnership was that of George and Pad, there was not a hech of a lot left to get nd so should be an easy afternoon for Captain and Vice captain, Pad take a few singles, while George smacks one for four, we are edgeing ever closer to a win. There is a bowling change for thee opposition.

The first ball is a high lofty ball that take an eternitty to pitch befor passing off stump. Having to wait for the is not what Pad was expecting. The next is the sam but this time straigh and in line, its take what seems like an innings long to get to him, it pitches just infront of his toes and turns him inside out with his back foot take the impact while he stumbles over not knowing where to put his feet, he is given the finger and leaves the field.

 
In next is lyndsey, who together with George get us the winning runs. It was good to win the first home game of the season, there was also a feeling that we might have been slightly stronge than them. They were a great team to play and almost outstayed us in the bar after the game. Thankfully they left when there was still a mouthful of beer in the glass. 

Over and out the Admiral