Walsall Health (148-9 40 overs) lost to Peopleton CC 149-2 (30.3 overs) by 8 wickets

 

The 2020 season has finally arrived! The Elf had their first game of the new decade at home vs Peopleton, a side we have consistently had games against for a number of years.

The weather was a bit Bob Marley (sun is shining) and skipper Rob Hewlitt won the toss and batted first.
Club Pro Dan Dunn and Tim Bresnan look alike Dan Armstrong opened up for the Elf. After a maiden first over, Dan Armstrong added 22 in the second over with a few big sixes off no balls but Dan Dunn was out shortly after, being caught playing a rash shot.
Dan Armstrong carried on batting as if he was on a dating app (swiping at everything) eventually connected but was out caught.
Alex Nunns and David Preece had a solid 68 run partnership for the third wicket which included a lot of patience and maiden overs but Al was out for 45, five short of that half century that would have been deserved.
Greg Phillpott and Rob Hewlitt were both out scored five between them and Dave was out for 26 leaving Gort with the lower order trying to set a decent total for Peopleton to chase.
Gort managed 7 and Dave Stephens 6 before Tom Davies (with Greg Phillpott running for him) had a calamitous run out with all three batsmen at one end. Peopleton withdrew their appeal which was outstanding sportsmanship and the right way the game should be played. Davies was out bowled by the inswing of Tanner in the final over and Nicka belted a boundary to take the score close to 150. Nicka said after the game he was feeling in good touch and felt like he would get his first half century but there just wasn’t enough balls to face to reach it.

The second innings started at 4pm and Peopleton looked steady at the crease. Seasoned bowlers Dave Stephens and Nicka Dunn went for very few runs between them in their 14 overs but only DS got an early wicket when Alex Nunns took a good catch at point.
Phillpott took a standard difficult catch at mid on off Armstrong but the 3^rd wicket partnership between the impressive Billington (who finished 68 not out) and Miller (42 not out) saw Peopleton get home with almost 10 whole overs to spare.

 

A big thanks to the Dunns and Dan Armstrong at Rushall who have done wonders to make the site covid secure and the game really wouldn’t have happened without their hard work.

The Elf are at home next week against Lichfield Nomads, another fixture that has been played for as long as the mind can remember. Hopefully see you all next week. No tea or shower club this week due to restrictions although it was nice and village seeing a few of the lads turn up in their whites.

Tom Davies