Full Fixture Information

Result Descriptiom

Drawn

Man of the Match

Wayne Harfield - magnificent bowling

Champagne Moment

Wayne Hafield - bowling their opener for 81

Teddy Bear Moment

Ali Wheeler - disgusting and unbecoming sledging

Full Match Report

Result - Match Drawn
EMCC 228-3
Petersfield CC 223-7 at close of play

I must start the first report of the season with a huge thank you to all those who have contributed to the preparation for the season. Be that tending to the pitch, (particularly Jimmy and Mr President Dampney for their efforts in getting the wicket into such magnificent shape for the April start - the pitch was even complimented by the oppo this week!), organising fixtures, or preparing the pavilion for the start of the season. It takes a village? well done all.

And now to the match report?

Won toss, bat. Three words not oft uttered last season but on this occasion, Captain de Lotbiniere got the us off to a solid start in the April sunshine, putting Ollie and Ali in to get EMCC underway for 2026. We were reliably informed that Petersfield had a slightly weaker side than the one which put EMCC to the sword at the opener last season (knocking off a target of circa 200 with all ten wickets in hand and 4 retirements), so hopes were high that we stood a chance if the opening pair got themselves in. Both were a little rusty in the early overs with neither truly finding their timing off some accurate bowling from the youthful opening pace attack, but that soon gave way to some speed of our own with fast scoring from Ollie, and a steadily accumulating Ali, with the pair quickly bringing up the hundred for no loss.

Ollie was lucky to survive a dolly of a drop at midwicket and a couple of half chances before eventually seeing the bails fly and he was back in the hutch bowled for 77. Ali, now joined by Oscar ?the better? Gillespie, looked to be continuing the imperious form which saw him named player of season last year. Racking up the runs nicely, Ali looked to be heading for an opening day ton before edging onto his pads and then stumps to draw his time at the crease to a close for 78. Adorned in the whites of the only man with long enough legs to lend him a pair that would cover his ankles (Thanks Rupert H.), Oscar?s long limbs were joined by the skipper who added a useful 17(ish - he was keen to correct David Blackburns scoring post match. It?s never too early to be thinking of the average). Oscar played some splendid shots knocking a chanceless 42 before the innings drew to a close with both still out in the middle.

Tea was heavily mini roll-based but there were some notable contributions in the form of home-made sausage rolls. Sticko?s title of star baker may be under threat this season. Also of note at tea was the boundary car park, which looked at times looked more akin to a fully packed forecourt of a JLR dealership than a village cricket ground. It was fantastic to see such a great turnout to cheer the teams on for the season opener. Do encourage friends and family down to cheer us on and perhaps have a tipple at Jimmys Bar: (to the tune of cheers): ?Where somebody probably knows your name?

And so the Meon took to the field feeling positive that a target of 228 was enough to give us a good crack at taking ten wickets. David Blackburn opened up from the Alpaca end and the pace was immediately evident from the thud into the gloves of the man behind the stumps. It was great to see our first (well.. only) choice keeper Mr Moore back from injury last season. At the other end poor Aaron Rees couldn?t quite find the rhythm that had looked so promising in the psychological safety of the Churchers nets. ?Have a blow? was called by the skipper after just two overs. A second spell of 2 overs was also called early doors. 4 overs, 45 runs, 0 wickets - ouch. Sticko was similarly wayward serving up some tasty short stuff which was capitalised on by the now well entrenched opener. It was a different story for Chris Wilton who was tossed the ball to steady the ship at the village end, his Boris like mop flopping about in the April breeze as he charged into the crease. Accurate and with some swing he caused all sorts of strife, stemming the flood and picking up a well deserved wicket for his efforts. There was also brief contributions from Ali, Oscar (1 wicket) and from the skipper (if you can call it a contribution), who managed 3 balls of an over before spectacularly collapsing to floor, his knee having given way. He limped off with his tail between his legs and Oliver was quick to rub salt in the wound, appointing himself to finish the over and taking over the armband. In all seriousness- we wish Andrew a speedy recovery! And, saving the best for last, with a man of the match performance was the outstanding contribution from our very own Wayne Harfield. Taking 3 for 47 off 8 overs, he spared Ollie?s blushes by bowling the key opener and trapped two others leg before wicket. Well done Wayne.

Overall the fielding from EMCC was surprisingly reasonable given that we were down to 10 (sans Captain) for a good portion. That is perhaps with the exception of Ollie who returned the favour the oppo did him by dropping their opener who offered an easy chance at slip, and David Blackburn who spent a good 5 minutes nursing his crotch in the outfield after the mildest of glancing blows at deep square leg - clearly one for the benefit of the gathered masses in the pavilion.

As the overs ticked by the chance of taking ten wickets dimmed with the setting April sun, with the final few overs turning out a little more tense than we might have hoped for. Petersfield fell 5 runs short at the close. It was an excellent and closely fought match between two well matched teams.

Finally, it falls to me to report on some uncouth behaviour at post match fines. One would have thought that the seasoned tongues (eeeshh.) of Chris Moore, Ali Wheeler and the skipper would know better than to chime in with their thoughts whilst being fined, alas they couldn?t contain themselves and Trumpian tariffs were duly applied to their contributions to the EMCC coffers. In related news, it is with some trepidation that I must also announce details of an unexpected and impromptu Spring budget from self appointed Chancellor Sticko. Triggered by the closure of the Straits of Hormuz, out of his red box came the shocking news that inflation has indeed taken hold in the Meon - and as such, the new minimum fine for 2026 will be ?4. Sticko from accounts is clearly vying for a job in Rachel?s Treasury.

Man of the match and champagne moment - Wayne for a cracking spell of bowling and taking the key wicket.

Teddy Bear Moment - Despite his exploits with the bat, teddy bear moment could only be awarded to Ali for channeling his inner Haslett. The heckling of the opposition opener for failing to walk for what was felt to be a clear nick to the keeper saw phrases including ?That?s no way to win a match is it bat?? being slung in his direction for a good two overs before Ollie threatened to send Mr Wheeler back to the dugout to cool off.

Strait of Hormuz Status - CLOSED