Walsall Health CC 189-4 (40 overs) beat Beaumont CC 150 all out (37.4 overs) by 39 runs

The Elf won their fifth consecutive game of the season today against Beaumont, a fixture that has been ever present since the club started in the late 1980s.

The game began on a sad note when the boys heard from the visitors that long serving Beaumont player Rupert Lisle sadly passed away over the Christmas period 2017. Tributes were led by Elf legend Andy Gorton who said some kind words and coordinated a minute applause in remembrance of Rupert.

Beaumont won the toss and put the Elf in. Gort and Chuck started the innings but the two elves were bogged down in the opening overs of the game by Johnson and Grainger who bowled with discipline and were unlucky to not get a wickets. The first wicket game when H.Jandhu came on and Dan Armstrong triggered Chuck for 25. It wasn’t long until Krish (who looked to be throwing it) came on and JP did what he does best and triggered Gort to a ball that looked to be too high from the boundary.

Alex Nunns and in form skipper Rob Hewlitt dug in for a few overs but the second change bowlers from Beaumont could not keep the runs down. The ‘Ginger Lara’ and the ‘Horsham Kohli’ put on an excellent partnership of 91 at a very quick run rate to give the Elf a great chance of winning the fixture.
The game was evenly poised on 92-2 at the end of the 28th over but by the time Al nicked off for 39 in the 35th, the score was 151-3 and the hosts were in a commanding position.
Skipper Hewlitt applied the pressure and went to another 50 this season, finally finishing 63 not out after Rich Fell hit a quick 12 and Leo Chuck finally got his first runs for the club in the last over.

As the evening begun, the Elf defended their total in the Coliseum with dangerous Beaumont stalwarts Hodgson and Johnson striding out to face Armstrong and pacey Leo Chuck with the new ball.
After a few nice boundaries, Johnson was triggered LBW for 16 off Armstrong and Tom Davies got the number three Khrisna for one after Alex Nunns took a great catch at point.
Beaumont’s captain Rands entered the fray and neither Chally or Tom could break the partnership so it was left to Kolpak spinner Ian Chuck who came on to try and break the deadlock.
A great contest over six balls ensued between Chuck and Hodgson who Chuck sledged before he’d even bowled a ball by saying “if he cuts me he’s doing very well”…Hodgson went to cut him 3 balls out of 5 including a nice four through point but Chuck won the battle with a quicker ball yorker to get his side’s third wicket with his final ball of the over.

Chris Hall tirelessly went through the mill for 8 overs on the bounce and finally picked up a wicket when he get Rands caught behind by Gort and Beaumont were 110-4 needing more than six an over to win with their four main batsman back in the hutch back in the squash changing rooms all 22 men were expected to change in* #village

A nice match threatening partnership between Johnson and Jandhu came together before Tom Davies got Johnson caught behind by Chuck.
Elf Heartthrob Greg Phillpott came on and was on full janitor duties picking up the next three wickets for virtually no runs. First Hall  got Esp and Alex Nunns got Parks. Both catches were skied pretty high so some excellent fielding on display. Gort got his second caught behind of the day and Leo Chuck hustled in for the last two wickets in two balls meaning the next time he bowls, he’s on a hat-trick.

Well played lads against always top bunch Beaumont. There’s a reason why both sides have consistently played over the years, games played fair and square and always toasted with a beer after.

Tea review

Aldridge Victoria sponge is back 7/10

Shower Club update

Still no Dan Armstrong and the lads had to leave the chaotic changing room and head to the normal Aldridge changing rooms for the shower they craved but once again piss poor water flow means they may as well have showered under a tap. 1/10

Love Island update

Is anyone even watching this year?

 

Written by Tom Davies

 

 

 

Batting		Runs
Walsall Health

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets

Walsall Health 235-2 (40 overs) beat Lichfield Nomads 164-5 (40 overs) by 71 runs

The Elf played their second consecutive game at Rushall this week in a game where an icon was born. Andy Gorton, one of the very few original 1987 Elves left today surpassed Tim Oliver’s all time run record on a glorious day in the English summer sun.

Skipper Hewlitt won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a road and Hewlitt was not disappointed. Andy Gorton and Ian Chuck absolutely piled on the runs and made the Nomads’ bowlers really work for their wickets. Some revenge for the Elf as they were drubbed by Nomads last June was revenge was certainly a dish better served cold today.

Gort only needed 55 to break the record and there was some muted celebrations when he reached his 50 as the spectators knew the icon was only five away from greatness. Gort did so with a rare two on Rushall’s pitch to a rapturous applause from all watching. Thoroughly deserved to a legend of The Elf who now has his name etched in glory.

Slightly village circumstances before and Ian Chuck who looked about as likely to get out as I am to marry Kelly Brook, retired once he reached his superb sixth ton for the Elf leaving Rich Fell to leave in disgust.
On loan from Rushall Andy Callaghan came in and scored with good time to get some more runs for his second club. Just after Chuck retired he went to umpire and obviously triggered Gort on 64 but who cares?
Calla was shortly out with the score on 222 after Nath Martin refused to put one leg in the air and obviously there was a wicket on Nelson. Dave Preece nudged his way to 16 not out and Rob Hewlitt got a single as the Elf finished on 235-2.

After tea was devoured the Elf began their defence of the score with Dan Armstrong who couldn’t quite get the line right and Nath Martin who both bowled well in the opening stages but it wasn’t until the Iceman Chris Hall entered the fray in the 10th over got a wicket with his first ball and the Elf were on their way.
It wasn’t until the part timers Andy Callaghan and Greg Phillpott came on to bowl did the Elf start to turn the screw. Phillpott picked up Stanley and Calla ran out Westwood after some superb fielding from Dan Armstrong.
Spin King Jonathan Preece came on after drinks and bowled Turnbull and the Elf knew they were almost home and dry with the overs rapidly decreasing.
Nomad Paul Fearon who bowled well earlier came in and gave the ball a bit of a whack to finish on 46 not out with Tom Davies getting the last wicket for the Elf when he got Hutton caught and bowled with a great reactionary catch.

As the sun began the set the Elf were led off the pitch by now iconic Andy Gorton and they have now got their 4th win of the season going into next week against usual opponents Beaumont at Aldridge.

Tea review

Strong tea as usual at Rushall. Sandwiches, pizzas, chicken legs, an array of crisps.  No olives, strawberries or mustard so a standard 7/10.

Shower club

Still no Dan Armstrong in the showers despite turning 18 in May but always a good shower at Rushall and definitely better than Aldridge. 8/10.

Tales from the travelator

Chally and Nath Martin trudged up the travelator for 16 overs and only one wicket between them this week. Chall also been on the track at Tipton Sports Academy this week trying to burn a few extra calories when he reaches the summit at the end of his run.

Love Island update

Every claimed to have not watched a minute apart from Andy Carrick who turned up to support the boys who said it was ‘class’. Dan Armstrong apparently ‘watched 10 minutes and turned it off’. Greg Phillpott only watched because of the ‘high calibre’ of ladies on there. More updates next week.

Written by Tom Davies

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Walsall Health

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets

Walsall Health beat Bharat Parivar by 6 wkts.

The hottest day of the year so far, saw the first visit of Bharat Parivar CC to Rushall.  After heavy rolling duties were carried out, ( to the advantage of the batsmen as usual) and Dan Armstrong and Ian Chuck had finished their 3 hour net, the game began. Tom Davies opened up with the new cherry, only to realise that our opposition had decided to play T20 style, the 2nd ball of the match, crashing into the offside fence for six. It was Dan Armstrong on travelator duty this week, who got the breakthrough, with a low shooter. Tom Davies joined the party from the other end, courtesy of a sharp catch by Rob Hewlitt.

With two quick wkts falling, Parivar continued with their high risk tactics. Captain Hewlitt moved Chris Hall to the long off boundary, sensing a big shot was on the way. Next ball, the No4 batsman payed no attention to the field adjustment, smacking a Nathan Martin fizzer straight down Chally’s throat, to the relief of the crowd, who at one point, feared the ball was coming their way. It was good to see Nath back for his 1st game of the season, bowling at a good pace, and unlucky not to pick up a couple more.

With Parivar losing their top order, the runs started to dry up, but it was Chris Hall, who suffered more rotten luck from his all time favourite end, the Travelator. A quiet word from Gort, mid over…get one to nip away, and we are in business. This proved wise counsel, as next ball, Chally carried out the plan to perfection. Parivar’s batsman had a wild swing, missed it by miles, and was halfway to Pelsall common, when Gort whipped off the bails. Sadly, the square leg umpire was either grabbing forty winks, watching Shakoor Rana’s best bits on youtube, or simply thought a batsmans crease was the length of Hadrian’s Wall. Needless to say, the bowler was not amused.

Despite all this controversy, the Elf continued to turn the screw. With wkts from the ever reliable Ian Chuck, and JP. Followed by Dan Armstrong, fresh from a still irate Chally, yelling at him, (Sorry Dan)  who came back on, to wrap up the tail, including a batsman who had his potty training interrupted, to be the Jack, of 9,10 Jack.  Serious village. Parivar, who early on, looked set for a big score, were reduced to 156 all out. A good effort in the field to peg them back.

After tea, the Elf fancied chasing this total down. Things were looking good after a swift start from Ian Chuck. However, on 20, Chuck had a Haley’s Comet moment. Missing a straight one. Following a 10 minute rant to his girlfriend about getting out, he swiftly went out to umpire and trigger Gort, who had been busy ship steadying. With Alex Nunns getting out to a ball that trickled back onto his stumps (unlucky) followed by a bout of batting glove kicking, the result was in the balance at 70-3. However, this side is made of strong stuff, and doesn’t roll over easily. So it was Captain Rob Hewlitt and experienced campaigner Richard Fell, who calmly put together the match winning stand. Steady, no panic, the best partnership of the match, which caused Parivar’s Junior player to run off the pitch and do a fine impersonation of Gazza at Italia 90. Or maybe he just needed his nappy changing again.

The final Chapter of the match, saw Nathan Reeves enter the game, after the departure of Richard Fell for 25. Nath doesn’t believe in having a look at the first couple, and simply blasted a quickfire 10 off 5 balls, to the delight of the supporters. Rob Hewlitt, rock solid at the other end, with a Captain’s knock of 57 not out, knew the job was done. A good win in the end, against a side that were potentially dangerous opponents had they been allowed to get into the game…..PS…Three wins on the bounce.

 

Final analysis…this report was written a week late, it turns out that Bharat Parivar hit 275 to tie a high scoring game the following week against a strong Sportsman CC side, which included the destructive Kris Ali and Vijay Chandramani. So maybe this was a pretty decent performance from the Elf lads.

Samaritans update….Chris Hall, Ian Chuck and Alex Nunns could all be seen glued to their phones in a darkened corner of the changing room after the game. Too close to call who spat their dummy out the furthest today, but it was roughly the same distance that Alex Nunns kicked his glove after getting out.

Tea update….Victoria Sponge from Aldridge is sorely missed. A good supply of Farleys Rusks for the Pharivar Number 11 though.

Village moment of the day….Dan Dunn, seen strolling round the boundary, with his 3rd bottle of Becks, despite his History exam being less than 24 hours away. Too which Greg Philpott commented, lets hope question B is all about Prohibition…..Brilliant.

Written by Chris Hall

 

 

 

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Walsall Health

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets