Walsall Health beat Beaumont by 109 runs.
The Elf continued their unbeaten start to the season with a thumping defeat of Beaumont, aided and abetted by a tremendous performance by Kiwi import Jeremy Brady who played a huge part in the visitors’ downfall.
Jeremy Brady – a man-of-the-match showing by The Elf’s guest Kiwi player in only his second game of cricket.
After notching up two catches and a run out in what is only his second ever game of cricket (after the win at Lapworth last week), Brady may be receiving calls from the ECB about an appearance in the England side (ok, we know he’s not English… but that’s not strictly… ah, you know where we’re going with this joke).
Missing skipper Dave Preece and Rich Fell, stand-in-skipper Dave Stephens (who also registered an excellent showing) took charge while long-time Thursday night net stalwart Matt Wright made his dayboo with an brilliant fielding performance.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, The Elf did not make the best of starts with Andy Gorton dismissed lbw for six.
As it turned out, this only opened the way to one of the all-time epic Elf batting partnerships as Rob Hewlitt and Sam Stephens were given the chance to bat with a sophisticated combination of poise and penetration. Hewlitt played an immense innings in the face of some consistent and nagging bowling, adding 67 to the total before departing.
Matt Wright – brilliant dayboo for the Elf
But it was again Sam Stephens who did the most damage with the bat, his 81 not out featuring a array of stylish shots.
Following the departure of Hewlitt, it was left to Gareth Preece to forge a partnership with the in-from batsmen, a task he achieved with aplomb by adding an important 39 to the total.
Having set a target of 222, The Elf will have fancied their chances given the impressive bowling performances of late.
Gareth Preece drew first blood in just the second over, taking the wicket of Jandhu thanks to a brilliant catch by Brady at mid-off.
Sam Stephens – immense. Again.
The opening attack of Sam Stephens and Preece put the pressure on Beaumont and after nine overs the visitors were 11 for 2 thanks to Sam Stephens taking the scalp of the other opener Hall.
It was the pressure added by the miserly opening attack that really proved the downfall of Beaumont as they were forced to swing in order to give themselves a chance of reaching the total set by The Elf.
Despite a stubborn spell at the crease, Grainger was eventually dismissed for 17 thanks to another jaw-dropping catch by Brady, this time off the bowling of Stephens. Rand also proved obdurate, before skipper Dave Stephens – who varied his pace and approach with amazing effect – clean bowled him.
Beaumont – a traditionally troublesome opponent over the years for The Elf – were far from beaten and the arrival of big hitting R Johnson (who ended up on 30 not out as a succession of batting partners fell by the wayside) meant the game was never out of their reach.
John Preece – an excellent wicket for The Champ.
But the run-out of Jandhu by Brady was the start of a collapse which was only really alleviated by a knock by G Hall which might have had some of The Elf fielders working out run chances.
The arrival of Ian Chuck – the ruin of many a batting line-up – saw off any sign of dissent, taking three wickets late on, most notably that of Hall to end what had been an awkward partnership.
Chuck ended up with three wickets in total and there was also opportunity for John Preece to bag a wicket, trapping Johnson lbw for just one.
But it was left to Chuck to wrap up the result that, by then, was in no doubt as he clean-bowled Gordon to leave The Elf unbeaten after four matches and enjoying a three-match winning streak.
| Batting | Runs | |
| Gorton, A | lbw Grainger |
6 |
| Hewlitt, R | b Johnson, M |
67 |
| Stephens, S | Not out |
81 |
| Preece, G | Not out |
39 |
| Danks, M | dnb |
0 |
| Wright, M | dnb | |
| Brady, J | dnb | |
| Stephens, D | dnb | |
| Preece, J | dnb | |
| Chuck, I | dnb | |
| Hall, C | dnb | |
| Extras |
28 |
|
| Walsall Health |
221 |
| Bowling | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
| Stephens, S |
8 |
0 |
16 |
2 |
| Stephens, D |
5 |
0 |
27 |
2 |
| Preece, G |
5 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
| Hall, C |
6 |
0 |
37 |
0 |
| Chuck, I |
5 |
1 |
19 |
3 |
| Preece, J |
2 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
Man of the match: Jeremy Brady
Top bat: Sam Stephens (81 not out)
Top bowler: Ian Chuck, 19 for 3
Rachel Hangover Rating: 5/10 (Despite Rachel’s best efforts to claim she was hanging, she was – in fact – in pretty decent nick. Needs to try harder, in our opinion.)
Walsall Health Cricket Club 
Great report of what sounds like another brilliant all round performance. Well done you Elf!
Pleased to witness a an hour or so of another dominant Elf performance keep it going guys (and Gals). Very comprehensive report Danksie.
On another note Rupert (longtime thorn in the side of the Elf expressed a big interest in playing a part in Tim’s match v Rushall think we need to invite a select few guests such as Rupert who have locked horns for so many years with Tim and the Elf.
Matt Danks, you’re superstar!