Walsall Health 129 all out (38.3 overs) lost to Oak n Ash 130-8 (38.4 overs) by two wickets.

The 2019 season finally got underway on a sunny afternoon at Rushall. The Elf had 9 all week but club ICON Jonty Nicholls and club mascot Steve Philpott filled in at the last minute to get the Elf’s season up and running 🏏

 

Write the theme tune/sing the theme tune skipper Gort lost the toss and was put into bat by Oak N Ash.

Rushall regular Andy Callaghan and bowler turned batsman Dan Armstrong opened up for the Elf and put on a strong partnership before Noble’s grenade launchers saw the end for Calla after a nice 52 opening stand. Danny A had biffed a few boundaries early on and was moving the score along nicely 👍.

Expectant dad Alex Nunns added some needed runs at 3 but also lost his wicket to a stray grenade from Noble. From 92-1, the Elf became 100-5 in an all too familiar collapse.

Dan Armstrong looped a catch to mid wicket, Rob Hewlitt was triggered by Jonty and Elf Debutant Andy McClay was caught looking to boost the run rate.

Gort and Greg managed to add ten runs between them until they both fell and exposed the Elf’s tail.

JP added 6 valuable runs and Icon Jonty jogged a few singles before Tom Davies finished 3 not out and Steve Philpott was out for a duck (after finally getting his helmet on the right way). The Elf were probably 20 runs short on a slow deck in the spring sunshine.

 

Tom Davies and Deadly Dan opened up for the Elf and Davies’ first over pies were too much for Cocoran to resist, smashing him to the boundary on 3 occasions whilst Armstrong held steady up the travelator.

Davies had the last laugh after Hewlitt took a great catch on the boundary.

On at first change in the 11th over was the Welsh spin wizard, JP. JP bamboozled Cottan and another Oak N Ask batsmen with two plumb LBWs before bowling a third and the away side were on the ropes at 70odd for 4.

Calla gave 8 overs of pure line and length and his left arm round ‘darts’ were too much for ‘Brough’ who was bowled by Calla who even did a village celebration to match.

Greg Phillpott gave a few decent overs of spin, giving Gort his first stumping of the season. With the score on 90-6, the Elf turned to the Icon…John Nicholls.

You’d have got about 1/3 for Jonty’s first ball to be anything but bang on the money, it still wasn’t value as that’s right where it landed. Never in doubt.

Tom Davies came back on and it was 3 overs of pure death bowling, nothing in ‘the slot’ this time as he picked up Cottan and then Sean who had hit a massive 6 down the ground, nicked off to Gort.

With 10 runs to get and three overs to get them, Cocoran and Parker steered the away side home with 8 balls to spare in what was a great game of cricket. Finished off when Alex Nunns refused to run Cocoran out when he fell over going for a quick single. #propercricket

Usual May opponents Lapworth next week, let’s see if we can get a W under our belts 👍

Tea review 6.5 – decent sarnies but no fruit or olives👎

Shower club – nothing to report this week as I forgot my towel ❌ it smelt good as I walked past though

AOB – Dai moaned it was cold on a day where I got sunburn. Trig was good value fines and madamès R Nunns and G Brad provided the usual much appreciated support all day 👍

 

See you next week boys x

Written by Tom Davies

 

 

 

 

Batting		Runs
Walsall Health

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets