V Alrewas CC (A) 23/06/19

Walsall Health CC 139-7 (40 overs) lost to Alrewas CC 141-2 (21.3 overs) by 8 wickets

After a week rained off for monsoon type conditions, the Elf Tsunami made its way up the A38 for a new fixture for the 2019 season at Alrewas on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border, what a lovely place to play cricket it was as well.

Stand in skipper Chuck won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked like a belter of a track. Dan Armstrong opened the batting with Chuck and he was the first to be out for 13 after a couple of solid fours when his off stump was knocked back by Bramall.
Dan Dunn and Chuck put on thirty for the 2nd wicket before Dan was unluckily bowled by Brammall Snr for 20. Rob Hewlitt scored a quick 15 but played all round a straight one and Chuck was batting like Chris Taveré at the non striker’s end, finding fielders rather than gaps.
Nathan ‘the leave’ Reeves entered the fray and was in good touch, HE EVEN LEFT A BALL before he was bowled for 9 off 7 balls. McClay was out cheaply and Dave Stephens got a quack which turned the Elf from 68-2 to 89-6.
Chuck departed for 28 off EIGHTY-EIGHT deliveries which left Chris Hall and Tom Davies the situation of 98-7 with 8.3 overs remaining.
This partnership was probably the partnership of the season so far, even some mystery spin couldn’t dislodge the pair who are usually so good with ball in hand rather than bat. It took Davies 6 balls to get off the mark but he soon upped his run rate by hitting a magnificent four straight over mid-off’s head, Chris Hall was accumulating the runs nicely at the other end just nudging ones and twos to keep the score ticking over. The boys managed to hit their way to a nice 41* partnership of just 51 balls to give themselves something to bowl at with 139-7 posted. Davies reaching his highest score for the Elf of 19* and Chris Hall finished 24*.

TEA WAS CLASS (SEE REVIEW)

Dave Stephens and Nicka Dunn opened the bowling for the Elf, both with hundreds of wickets to their names over the years but even these two wily campaigners couldn’t interrupt Tringham and Scarratt from dispatching the bowling like an Amazon Prime order.

Nicka got Tringham for 17 but Scarratt piled on the runs after being dropped by Davies and Chuck early in his innings. The youngster batted superbly and never looked back until he retired quite abruptly for 52 off just 37 balls.
He was partnered by Broadshead who unluckily made 49 not out in the chase with Pemberton supporting with 7 not out when in the 22nd over, the Elf were brushed aside by this young side who the visitors were no match for.

Teas – Like the finals of Strictly Come Dancing, 10s all round! Superb spread today, sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes, chips, chicken nuggets, homemade cakes which were sensational. The pick of the lot had to be the Olives. Served in a beautiful glass bowl with Alrewas President and former ‘Elf’ himself Andie Oliver, purring at their selection, making sure they were seen by everyone. Top fodder

Shower Club – decent showers but they were a bit Coronation Street (back to back), lovely and warm though.

AOB – Lots of excellent support once again by faces new and old, it really is appreciated by all those who play to keep the spirits up whilst Chally was getting the monkey treatment from Tringham.