Full Fixture Information

Result Descriptiom

lost

Man of the Match

David Blackburn - great bowling and a few runs

Champagne Moment

Tim Clay - great catch off David's bowling

Teddy Bear Moment

Aaron Rees - run out of Rupert H

Full Match Report

Result - EMCC Lose by 67 runs.

As the clouds did part,the afternoon started in bizarre circumstances with six men fist deep in a hole at the side of the pavilion. But fear not fellow East Meoners, for we have not descended into a completely unruly mob, the green and red colours of EMCC could not fly due to a blockage in the flag pole hole. It was, not so quickly, rectified and the game could get underway against Elsted CC, a side we have struggled against in recent years. Would today be different? Perhaps it was Jimmy that tempted fate early on as he let slip to Tim Clay before the game that EMCC were yet to win a game this season where Jimmy had played and bowled, or faced a ball - the cricket gods were listening.

The wicket was in surprisingly good condition considering the mornings dousing, and the Captain won the toss and elected to bowl. Rupert H. got the Meon off to a strong start with an opening maiden over. Unfortunately a chirpy A. Rees, proudly sporting his brand new baggy green (awarded before the game for his exceptional figures earlier in the week) was a little more ragged from the village end - going for 20 off the second over of the day. His second over brought a wicket through the bucket-like hands of Jimmy A (who went on to take two more excellent catches in the deep), lest it was not enough, and the skipper drew the curtain early on in the spell - 1 for 30 off 2 overs. Heavy is the head that wears the baggy green crown (more on that later).

The Elsted opener was seeing the ball like a football and, off overs few, hurried to 42 in mostly boundaries before eventually being caught in the deep. Rupert H. Continued straight and true turning in an economical 9 overs for a mere 24 runs, but no wickets to be had - could he go on to post a score with the bat to avoid the bob? With A. Rees on the metaphorical bench, David Blackburn stepped up and bowled an excellent spell in the face of some lively batting to turn the tide. The run rate slowly began to fall from a concerning 8 odd an over of the first 5 to have us feeling that we might be in with a chance.

Sticko dodged what could have been yet another nasty EMCC injury after he stumbled into a rabbit hole during his run up in his first over. Concern for Sticko quickly turned to laughter as David Blackburn promptly emptied half of the Atkinson family fortune in sawdust into the hole to make repairs - we managed to get some back in the bag - apologies Mr Chairman!

Jimmy subsequently turned the air of our beautiful village blue with some choice words for Rupert H?s efforts in the deep. I think the 6ft something frame probably stood marginally more chance reaching the unreachable that was sailing over his head for six runs, than with the 2 balls which dropped just short of him. Opinions were divided at fines, Jimmy remains adamant that a few paces of walking in would have gained him two wickets, alas he finished his three overs incandescent and going for a bounty-less 29 runs.

Rees senior stepped up to bowl taking 2 wickets in as many balls, both beautifully bowled to remove the batsman?s off peg. The hat-trick was on the cards, and there was a whiff of a second Rees family cap day in the air. Sadly neither were to be, taking his third wicket one ball too late to complete a famous hat-trick before being inexplicably removed from the attack by the skipper who was keen to get in on the action himself. Andrew?s Oscar worthy performance as excitable 5 year old high on candy, launching himself into the air with his appeal for leg before convinced the umpire to give a straight one which may have been sailing over the top. He went on to take 3 wickets for 13 runs off 2 overs, a perhaps under recognised contribution to what was overall an excellent bowling display from EMCC against a talented opposition. The fielding was strong but for a couple of difficult dropped chances. Lakh almost took a screamer diving forward square of the wicket but couldn?t quite clutch it in his claws and one dropped ?short? of Aaron. Luckily he recovered the situation catching one deep on the boundary in his forearms - they all count.

Overall we were pleased with our endeavour, sending the last of the Elsted batsmen back to the pavilion 15 minutes early and giving us a target of 180 to win. At early tea, tails were up and spirits high - little did we know of what was to come. Elsted?s openers bowled accurately and with pace, Rupert S. and Lakh fell for 6-a-piece. Cometh the hour cometh an Atkinson, but even Jimmy struggled to get the ball away, eventually falling for a high score 35. George Barnes provided support with a well ground-out 19 in the face of some very fast bowling but I?m afraid to say that was pretty much the high water mark. Andrew was quickly dispatched by a rising ball caught behind for 1 and David Blackburn looked promising until his stumps were skittled for 11.

Halfway into the EMCC innings, Elsted were keen to leave the field for refreshment, but Umpire Detective Inspector Sticko was quick to lay down the law, declaring one more over to drinks. Tim Clay fell fowl of the delay to drinks and was subsequently read his Miranda rights by DI Sticko after arriving late to the crease. He was quickly back in the pavilion for 1, his tail between his legs and his ailing pancreas in tow. A good ball did for Dave Rees who failed to trouble the scorers and Rupert H completed his ?Bob?, not at the hands of the attack, but run out by his own team mate, the inimitable A.Rees (more on that to follow). Aaron went on to profit from facing the lions share of the only 2 overs of dibbly dobbly bowling from Elstead in the entire innings, much to the chagrin of those who had gone before. Last man Sticko looked unhampered by his ankle knocking an unbeaten 7 which included a lovely reverse shot before the Meon were all out some 70 runs short of the target.

And so the afternoon was no cricketing vintage, we were beaten by a better team, but it generated more than its fair share of post match talking points. The Skipper rashly declaring that he can only work with the tools at his disposal - the variety of blunt and imprecise instruments on display in the fines circle were quick to raise an eyebrow in response. There was even an accusation of shop bought scones being provided by baker Sticko - fake news of Trumpian proportions. Overall a match played in some spirit (mostly EMCCs spirit it must be said) with cricketing contributions and laughter from all. Well played gents - onward through the season we go.

Man of the Match - David Blackburn - for a fine spell of bowling to steady the ship in the face of some serious hitting (figures of 3 wickets for 32 off 8) and a solid contribution with the bat.

Champagne Moment - By unanimous decision - Tim Clay?s magnificent one handed take behind the wicket to remove a batsman building a score. Somewhat overshadowed by a subsequent effort at a catch - see below.

Teddy Bear moment - There was a veritable smorgasbord to choose from - the highlights included Tim Clay?s missed catch behind the stumps which he gloved onto his own helmet for an additional six runs and Rupert H?s ?bob and a log? (he was quick to protest that the dog opening its bowels on the wicket during tea was not his, official?s enquiry quickly determined that he was culpable for his wife?s dogs misdemeanour). In Rupert?s defence the bob was also not entirely his fault as the undisputed Teddy Bear moment went to A. Rees for running him out as his own strike sailed towards cover for an easy catch. Aaron trotted off down the wicket whilst Rupert stood at the non strikers end nonchalantly resting on bat watching what should have been a taken catch, but Aaron kept on coming. The catch was dropped and Rupert was run out at the strikers end. Post match analysis concluded, there was never a run there.