Peopleton 252-5 (40 ovs) beat Walsall Health 230 all out (37.4 overs)

The Elf travelled down to rural Worcestershire this week to play Peopleton in what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far.

Skipper Hewlitt lost the toss and is now 0-2 in the tossing stakes this season. Unfortunately for the Elf, they were sent  in to field in the sweltering early summer heat.

Opening bowlers Nathan Martin and Dave Stephens did an excellent job in restricting the home side to as few runs as possible in the opening exchanges. Stephens unlucky to have a catch dropped by Tom Davies at full stretch at point.

Davies came on at first change for Martin and in his fourth over two wickets fell. One was the run out of Seconde for 29 off a great throw from Martin. The ‘seconde’ wicket of the over was Lane who survived a loud LBW shout first ball but succumbed to Davies getting his ‘seconde’ LBW of the season the fourth ball of the over trapping him plumb in front.
After the drinks break the Elf stifled in the heat and a partnership of Jamil and Smith put the home side in the driver’s seat. This was broken by Elf spinner Jonathan Preece whose brother David took a very good catch to see off Jamil for 42.

Another good partnership by Smith and Bird saw Peopleton bring up their 200 and Smith his 100 before Greg Philipott (who was excellent in the field as well as with the ball) took two wickets. One a caught and bowled and the second a superb catch from safe hands Matt Wright showing his team mates how it’s done taking a good catch.

The Elf battled but could not restrict the home team to less than 252, Nathan Martin once again imperious with the ball and once again very unfortunate to not have a wicket finishing with 8 overs going for 24 runs.

The Elf opened up their innings with Ian Chuck and Dave Preece, they put on a decent opening stand of 40 until Preece was bowled for 9 in his first knock of the season.
Long serving Andy Gorton was in at three and he produced a few lusty blows until he was dismissed for 13.
Captain Hewlitt was in a four and he made a quick fire 32 to get The Elf back on track he even hit three sixes to boot.
The middle order wobbled a bit with Philpott making an early claim for the duck trophy by collecting his second duck in as many games.
Dave Stephens hit a beautiful straight six but was bowled for one more than that and youngster Dan Dunn was triggered first ball to leave the Elf batsman scrambling for their gear in the hutch.
Nathan Martin joined Chuck who had easily made his second fifty of the season by this point but both men went in quick succession going for the win. Chuck eventually going for a really well made 77, already staking his claim for the 2016 batting trophy.

Davies was quickly bowled scoring a solitary run which left the Elf 199-9 needing 54 of the final six overs until the unthinkable nearly happened….

Matt Wright and JP put on a 31 run partnership in quick time, Wright hitting four boundaries to take the Elf to within 23 of victory but was bowled going for the win.

All in all a good game of cricket from both sides played the right way. The Elf’s next game is away at Lapworth in two weeks time where they will be trying to get their first win of the season.

 

 

Written by Tom Davies

 

Batting		Runs
Chuck, I	b Reason	77
Preece, D	b West	9
Gorton, A	b	13
Hewlett, R	b Reason	32
Philpott, G	b Reason	0
Stephens, D	b Reason	7
Martin, N	b Reason c ?	6
Dunn, D	lbw Tanner	0
Preece, J	Not out	5
Davies, T	b Clarke	1
Wright, M	b West	20
Extras		60
Walsall Health		230

 

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	8	1	24	0
Stephens, D	4	1	33	0
Davies, T	5	0	33	1
Dunn, D	6	0	43	0
Wright, M	5	0	42	1
Philpott, G	4	0	36	2