Walsall Health CC 181-5 (40 ovs) beat Blackwood CC 129 all out by 52 runs.

The Elf played their first game of the summer months at home to Blackwood after a long absence without a fixture against the side from Birmingham.

With temperatures in the twenties Rob Hewlitt won the toss and elected to bat first which was music to the ears of the Elf lads who all watched on a fantastic opening partnership from Gort & Chuck.

It took thirty overs for the visitors to get the breakthrough of Andy Gorton for 59, his first real runs of the season and a welcome boost to the side to finally side Gort cash in with the willow after rolling back the years so far in 2016 with the gloves with some exceptional keeping. Next in was Nathan Reeves who got a duck as the wickets started tumbling after the 145 (big hand) opening partnership.

Skipper Hewlitt was in next but to everyone’s surprise Ian Chuck walked after nicking off on 95 no less. Chuck now only has just over 200 runs to go to beat the Elf most runs in a season record which everyone is hoping the Kolpak player will achieve. Hewlitt made a steady 24 in quick time and ran well to up the run rate but was caught at mid off in the final over selflessly going for the runs. In next was presumptive fielder of the year & nailed on best looking player of the year Greg Phillpott who got off the mark to 3 before leaving a straight one the penultimate ball and got triggered plumb in front by Tom Davies.

Gary Fitzpatrick and JP Jonathan Preece were both left on 0 not out as The Elf set Blackwood 182 for victory.

A proud moment for the Dunns who are in contention of the Cat Stevens ‘father & son’ award behind Dave & Sam Stephens  as they opened the bowling together for the first time. It took 20 balls until the first run was scored in the younger Dunn, Dan’s second over. Every player was sharp in the field to get the Elf off and running. The Blackwood opening batsmen teed off and hit a few boundaries but wickets started to tumble at the other end when elder Nicka Dunn got Garish caught behind for 4. Once the Dunns were replaced,  old Wednesburyites Chris ‘Chally’ Hall and Tom ‘insert ginger nick name’ Davies came on and turned the screw.

Hall had Couchman caught very well at mid off by Dan Dunn and the away side were reeling on 49-4. The next wicket was off the bowling of Davies who knocked the bails off to run out Clarke off some excellent fielding by Phillipott whose work in the field was by no means done. By this time, the Blackwood opening batsman Milliard had played his way to 55 out of the 69 team total, leaving the scoreboard at the drinks break on Stuart Slater’s favourite scoreline, 69-4.
Slates would have been even more impressed when the next score change was to make it 69-5 when Tom Davies got Milliard to feather a delivery to Gort and the Elf were half way home.

Hewlitt showed excellent captaincy and brought on JP who picked up a wicket in his first over after another good catch from Phillpott to have Blackwood 98-6. Even better captaincy from Hewlitt who brought Dunn back on and after being hit for a few boundaries showed excellent skills to get Brennan LBW and continue on his merry way to cleaning up the tail in his second spell, which saw Phillpott take his second catch and also Chris Hall making a dipping catch over his shoulder into the low sun look terribly easy.

The Elf ran out winners by 52 runs in their second victory of the season and have come close in the two games they have chased in.

Next week sees the Elf travel to Whittington to face usual yearly opponents Lichfield Nomads.

Written by Tom Davies

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	b Couchman	54
Chuck, I	c  b Millard	95
Reeves, N	b Millard	0
Hewlitt, R	c. b Millard	24
Philpott, G	lwb Millard	3
Fitspatrick, G	Not out	0
Preece, J	Not out	0
Dunn, D	dnb
Hall, C	dnb
Davies, T	dnb
Dun, A	dnb
Extras		7
Walsall Health		181

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Dunn, A	5	3	5	1
Dunn, D	5.3	1	43	3
Hall, C	8	2	24	1
Davies, T	6	0	24	1
Preece, J	3	0	27	2