Aston Unity CC 169 all out (37.2 ovs) beat Walsall Health (138 all out 38.2 all out) by 31 runs

The Elf made the shortish trip across the second city to face Aston Unity in Bassett’s Pole on the second May Bank Holiday of the year.

In their third successive away fixture, The Elf welcomed back Ironman Chris Hall and all round sportsman Gary Fitzpatrick to the side on their season debuts. Captain Hewlitt lost the toss and was asked to bowl first by the opposition captain. Dave Stephens and Alan ‘Nicka’ Dunn opened the attack for The Elf. It was Stephens who got the first two wickets but not before Unity opener Maddams charged his way to a quick fire 57. Sterling was the first go, caught behind by Gorton. Maddams then fell going for one too many straight sixes and he was caught well at long on by Gary Fitzpatrick. The unsung hero of the partnership Dunn had bowled well too, with his six overs going for less than 20 runs. The first change bowlers came on in Hall and Tom Davies in what is becoming somewhat of a bowling tandem by the two men from the Black Country. In his first game back, Chris Hall flew through the Unity middle order and managed to get through his eight overs for the loss of 28 runs but more importantly three of the Unity middle order wickets. Davies at the other end picked up just the one wicket, a stumping after some fabulous work from Gorton behind the sticks to finish his eight overs for 19 runs and 1 wicket. Dan Dunn and Matt Wright then came on the slow the pace down a bit. The latter Wrighty picking up two wickets in his first over proving that you have to spin it to win it. When the Elf picked up the ninth wicket on 121 they thought they were in sight of an improbable victory but Unity had kept a few batsmen in the hutch and a partnership by numbers 9 and 11 hurried Unity onto 169 all out leaving the Elf the tough ask of reaching 170 for victory.

Gort and Chuck opened the innings but Gort was out cheaply for just a single. Nathan Reeves was next in, fresh from A & E after splitting his lip giving 110% as always in the field from a bobbling ball he showed great character to come in and post 7 runs before being bowled.

Hewlitt joined Chuck at the crease and a respectable partnership between the two saw the Elf never really get out of touch of their hosts. Hewlitt was eventually bowled for a well made 30 to steady the ship. Dave Stephens came in at 5 and made his way to a solid 14 runs before he was triggered by Nath Reeves. This left Chuck at the other end trying to win the game on his own and he unfortunately nicked off on 47  to leave the Elf on 109-5 needing 61 more off 11 overs to secure victory. The change in the game came when Unity brought on demon spinner McCarthy who cleaned up The Elf’s tail with some excellent bowling, too good for Sunday pub cricket. He took all five remaining wickets for only 8 runs off 5.2 overs to see off The Elf’s fight for victory. Only Chris Hall managed to score off the danger man and eventually finished 15 not out.

This was a good performance from The Elf who were always one or two batsmen short for this fixture. They played well against a strong outfit who clearly had some good cricketers in their ranks.

Written by Tom Davies

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	c  b Peel	1
Chuck, I	c b Wilkes	47
Reeves, N	b Peel	7
Hewlitt, R	b Wilkes	30
Stephens, D	LWB Frost	14
Fitspatrick, G	b McCarthy	8
Dunn, D	b McCarthy	0
Dunn, A	b McCarthy	0
Hall, C	not out	15
Davies, T	b McCarthy	1
Wright, M	b McCarthy	4
Extras		11
Walsall Health		138

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Stephens, D	8	1	52	2
Dunn, A	8	0	26	1
Hall, C	8	1	28	3
Davies, T	8	2	19	1
Dunn, D	3	0	19	0
Wright, M	3	0	23	2