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East Meon Match Report vs Vagabonds

Result: Draw

Champagne Moment: Ed R ? diving catch in the deep

Teddy Bear Moment: Ed R ? going for 18 in one over

On a pleasant Sunday afternoon on 18th August, EMCC played against Vagabonds Cricket Club from Bentworth. The Meon did not have the most auspicious start with two of the starting XI pulling out due injuries, but nevertheless, with replacements found, and the sightscreen being repaired as a warm-up exercise, the game proceeded. After deciding perhaps this wasn?t EMCC?s strongest batting side, Captain Will decided bowling first gave the most chance for a good game. He won the toss with aplomb and sent the Vagabonds? opening pair to pad up.

Sticko opened the bowling from the (recently repaired) sightscreen end whilst Josh Edney took care of matters from the village end. It didn?t take long for Sticko to get his man, finding the perfect line and length, and sending the bails of the Vagabonds? opener flying. Josh E bowled superbly conceding runs on only two balls of his first three overs. Sticko picked up his second not much longer with more fine bowling and sending a dangerous looking Vagabond no.3 back to the pavilion early doors. Josh E?s spectacular bowling was finally rewarded with a wicket maiden in a fine bowling display terrorising the top of off stump. The first bowling change brought George Atkinson to the fore whilst Josh E continued to toil away at the other end. George?s wily spin was too match to handle for the Vagabonds and he picked up a wicket with a maiden in his third over. After an effervescent spell by Josh E, he finally obtained an important wicket in his fifth over and bludgeoned a second in his ninth over. For this, he was rewarded with a tenth consecutive over of bowling and his enchanting spell concluded with fine figures of 10-2-25-2. Wayne bowled fantastically in his economical spell but somehow did not manage to pick up a wicket. He finished his spell with conceding only 16 off 7 overs (with 2 maidens). It is worth mentioning the comical run out attempt by Wayne when the Vagabonds batsmen had a ?yes? no? oh cock? mishap when running between wickets. Despite both batsmen ending up at the same crease, EMCC couldn?t capitalise and they lived to fight another day. A brief mention of my (Ed R) short-lived spell. After going for 18 off my first over, and the ball either pitching on the long grass or not at all, it came as no surprise when Will decided that one over was enough and my contribution with the ball had been completed. Josh Haslet was next to bowl and his spin was rewarded with a wicket through a nice diving catch in the deep by myself (somewhat of a relief after my disastrous bowling). Honourable mentions to Ali Hales and Will who both bowled very solidly at the death, with Will picking up a maiden on his only over. Vagabonds finished on 167-7 and tea was taken.

Having restricted the Vagabonds to 167-7, EMCC?s Sticko and Ali went out to open. Sticko hit a strong two for the first ball which is recorded as a 6 in the scorebook after a comical throw to their keeper led to 4 overthrows (they all count though, Sticko). Sadly, Ali returned to the pavilion slightly sooner than hoped after getting caught behind with a ball that really did pop up hitting high up on the bat. Fortunately, Ian came out to steady the ship but he too was bowled for a slightly paltry 6. In their credit, the Vagabond bowlers did have a series of good bowlers who were able to get it moving, whilst maintaining a consistently good line and length all at some pace. With this in mind, top scorer Josh H?s impressive 34 looked to have get EMCC back in it. Sadly, captain W. Atkinson could only muster 7 which brought Mooro to the crease. Not long after, Jon scored a (rumoured career best) 10 with a fine 4 and 6 before being bowled by the same bowler as Will. When I (Ed) came to the crease at about no. 8, Mooro and I were in agreement that perhaps a draw was the more attainable target. Remarkably, after Mooro was pinned LBW for 2, his replacement Josh E was far more determined to give it a swing. His impressive 22 in a short period brought the game within touching distance, but sadly he was bowled with the fourth ball of the final over. George came out with a slightly less gung-ho attitude and safely saw off the last two balls for a fine draw. EMCC finished 161-8. Spoils shared and cricket the winner.