Walsall Health 111-3 (28.1 overs) beat Beaumont CC 109-9 (40 overs) by 7 wickets.

 

Loss? What loss?

The Elf were back at Aldridge this week and back on the ‘top pitch’. No such excuses this week of a weakened line up or sore fast bowlers moaning about ‘travelators’ just a professional performance against the always friendly lads from Beaumont.

The Elf were more or less at full 2017 strength but skipper Hewlitt (who arrived in a shirt and tie presumably reminiscing about uni days) lost the toss once again the Elf were asked to field in sweltering summer conditions.

It didn’t take ‘Social Media Manager’ Nathan Martin long to get his first wicket.  Bowling his left arm swingers the Beaumont opening bat’s bails were sent flying in the Elf paceman’s first over.
Greg Phillpott picked up the second wicket when the opposition went for a quick single but the 2016 fielder of the year showed why he is the current owner of that trophy and swooped on the ball, fired in a superb throw and Gort did the rest, 12-2.

Usual tandem 1st change bowling partnership Tom Davies and Chris Hall came on and turned the screw with some accurate bowling, Davies picking up the dangerous looking number three batsman when Nath Martin took a fantastic reaction catch at short extra cover.
Gary Fitzpatrick then showed that anything Greg could do, he could do better when he ran out Dan Grainger before the score had reached 40.
Tom Davies, in his fifth over picked up the Beaumont Skipper ‘Jake’, after he feathered one behind to Gort and the Elf were half way there (Livin’ on a Prayer).
Nathan Martin took a similar catch to the one that got Davies his 1st wicket for his third to see Beaumont slump to 61-6 just after the half way mark.

A good partnership developed between Ross & Krishnan before Kolpak player (and hairiest chest at the Elf) Ian Chuck came on and bowled Ross in his second over.
This paved the way for some mystery spin at both ends when Greg Phillpott with his right arm leggies and sherriff of Dottingham ‘JP’ Jonny Preece with his left arm leggies picked up a wicket each to limit the final scoring from Beaumont.
A nasty injury on the last ball of the innings saw the Beaumont number 11 pull his calf going for a quick single and the Elf doing the sporting thing and not running him out but helping him off the field instead.
Once the teas were deavoured in the blazing heat, the hosts set about their run chase.
Things were looking perilous when Greg Phillpott triggered Chuck for 5 (Chuck obviously walked off smiling and 100% accepted the umpire’s call) and then Alex Nunns got out for a quack and the Elf were 17-2.
Gary Fitzpatrick entered the fray, fresh from an in-depth discussion at tea with Dan Armstrong about all things ‘Love Island’ despite ‘not knowing a lot about it’ and really settled the early nerves with an excellent 60 run partnership with the ever solid Gort at the other end.
Both men really contributed with the bat, Fitz hitting 29 before being bowled by Khrishnan.
Rob Hewlitt was in at 5 and he and Gort steered the Elf home with plenty of balls to spare, the skipper finishing with a quick fire 14 and Gort the unfortunate man to be left 49 not out in a chase of 110 but it really was a steady knock from the Elf legend on Father’s Day showing son-in-law Al how it’s done.

A strong performance from the Elf after losing their first game of the season last week but they responded in the only way they know how – victory.

Drinks update

As many as four drinks breaks in the blazing summer sun, all provided and expertly poured by two jugs Rach. 9/10

Tea review

The always wholesome Aldridge tea was back again today although not many lads went for the cuppa that was on offer, surely it should have been jugs of lager? 8/10.

Shower club update

More lads in the showers this week then there was out of them, the only black marks would be Nath Martin showering before the game was over #village and Gary Fitzpatrick forgetting his towel and having to borrow one #seriouslyvillage

The lads head to Old Doms next week for what could be a tough fixture.

 

Written by Tom Davies

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	not out	49
Chuck, I	lbw Johnson	5
Nunns, A	ct b Johnson	0
Fitzpatrick, G	b Ash	29
Hewlitt, R	not out	14
Phillpott, G	dnb
Hall, C	dnb
Armstrong, D	dnb
Davies, T	dnb
Preece, J	dnb
Martin, N	dnb
Extras		14
Walsall Health		111

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	6	0	9	1
Armstrong, D	6	0	20	0
Hall, C	8	1	29	0
Davies, T	8	1	18	3
Phillpott, G	6	0	18	1
Chuck, I	2	1	5	1
Preece, J	4	2	7	1