Full Fixture Information

Result Descriptiom

Drawn

Man of the Match

James Atkinson - excellent 100

Champagne Moment

Josh Haslett for a herculean six

Teddy Bear Moment

Tim Clay ? golden duck

Full Match Report

East Meon have been hosting Captain Scott XI ? a touring team ? for over 35 years. This Sunday saw perhaps the 35th iteration of this hallowed fixture.

Andrew won the toss (for only the second time, first at home) and dutifully elected to bat. He and Oli padded up while the Captain Scott openers limbered up, in preparation for what turned out to be a thrilling match.

Oli faced the first ball which was fortuitously edged into the gap in the slip cordon and raced away for four. He claims this was intentional shot placement, but the jury is still out on that one. A couple of ones, twos and a four later, Oli was sent back to the pavilion with his stumps laying in tatters behind him. The ?ball was swung massively? it was claimed, and it must be noted that this Captain Scott opening bowler did have some genuine pace and bowled almost continuously for 14 overs ? such was the threat he posed.

Oli?s departure brought Jimmy to the crease who built a strong partnership with Andrew. After a flurry of nice shots, it wasn?t to be for Andrew who was also bowled by their rapid opening bowler, with a respectful 57 to his name.

East Meon stood at 113-2. Jimmy was flying at the other end, tactically rotating the strike so he faced any bowler other than their rapid opener, much to the frustration of Andrew and then Lakh. After numerous sixes and even more fours, including a lovely cover drive, Jimmy retired on 100* after only facing 50 balls.

Tim Clay confidently strode out to the crease before promptly returning, having failed to trouble the scoreboard. Nicked behind for a golden.

Lakh made a respectful 12 before he too was bowled by their rapid opener. The Meon were now 220-4, with Josh and Ali both at the crease. Josh hit a superb array of sixes into neighbouring gardens, one of which he was awarded champagne moment for due to its sheer distance. Ali, meanwhile, plodded along at the other end scoring crucial runs, but perhaps with less extravagance. Both carried their bats with Josh scoring 62* and Ali 18*. Andrew tactically declared after 34 overs with EMCC on 301.

After a pleasant tea, Captain Scott went in to bat with a target of 302. A promising start by them looked like a chase might be on. They too hit some very large sixes, with it being a dangerous day to park a car in the firing line by the pavilion. Sticko and Wayne opened the bowling. Sticko?s first two overs were strong but the third went for an expensive 20, with Andrew then deciding to give the ball to someone else. Wayne toiled away admirably for five overs but wasn?t able to find the wicket he was searching for.


Nick Sole got the first scalp for the Meon in his first over forcing an error by their opener, which was caught by Ali, leaving Captain Scott 61-1. Another strong partnership was finally broken by Oli, pinning their other opener LBW and leaving them 110-2. Oli picked up his second of the match in his third over, with Andrew taking a strong catch in the deep.

Captain Scott XI were now 152-3 and going along at roughly the required run rate. Oli picked up his third and final wicket sending their no.5?s bails flying. Ali picked up a solitary wicket in his first over, despite his bowling arm being arguably bent more than the 15 degrees permitted by the ICC.

Josh picked up two important wickets (LBW then caught) in quick succession with Jimmy getting the Meon?s final wicket. Honourable mention to Tim Clay who stumped a batsman who had never played the game before and was unsure of the rules, then dropped the ball on a stumping for the last ball. Captain Scott finished 265/87 after 35 overs ? a draw.