With the forecast early in the day looking slightly suspect and the covers on as the players arrived, a decision was made to reduce the overs to 35 per side. Captain for the day, Rich Fell lost the toss and made to bowl first while the pitch was still covered, and the bowler’s eyes lit up as the removal of the covers unveiled a classic Rushall Green-top, which looked as if it would trouble the Old Moseley top order.  

In a strange turn of events, regular first over bowler, Dave Stephens relinquished a first go at the opening batters to Rich Fell, who struggled to find rhythm, finding it hard to control the unfamiliar new ball. DS wasn’t kept away for too long though as he took the second over, looking instantly threatening to the Moseley openers and taking one of their wickets with the last ball of his first over. A very smart catch by Paul Caines at first slip, showing off his fielding prowess. When the correct length was found by the bowlers, the pitch was creating real issues for the batting side, either popping to shoulder height or rolling at ankle height. Dave continued to find testing lines and lengths for the left-handed Moseley pair throughout his spell. At the other end, Rich decided a change could bring a wicket. John Nicholls would be the man to try to break the partnership, and he did. He continuously put the ball on a good length and forced Moseley’s number three into a big shot, which newly wedded Jack Stenson settled underneath and caught comfortably. Despite boundaries being leaked, it was an even start between the sides.  

However, the Elf didn’t have many seam bowling options, so Rich (Trig) turned to spinner, Will Tomlinson. The number 4 batsman looked to be positive straight away, belting the ball over long off for 6 and then long on in consecutive overs. The second of the sixes being inches away from being an unbelievable catch by DS, who pulled off the grab but stumbled over the boundary, much to the amusement of his teammates. Jonty, however, was keeping the run count low at one end at least, trying to draw a false shot out of the batters but he couldn’t find another wicket before his seven over spell drew to a close. His replacement was a fellow veteran bowler, Paul Caines who used all his experience to continue the streak of taking a wicket in his first over at Carter Park, outsmarting the skillful batsman with a slower ball which he danced past and saw crash into the stumps.  

Soon after Caines’ introduction, Tomlinson was replaced at the opposite end by right arm off spinner and fellow Will, Lauchlan. He had the tough task of bowling to the opening batsman who was motoring towards a century, which he would later bring up, a great knock. However, Lauchlan managed to somewhat stem the flow of runs and keep the total from reaching something out of the Elfs grasp. The skipper, Trig, was back on at the opposite end to back up Lauchlan with some much-improved bowling from his first spell, he removed Moseley’s number 6 batter with help from some nice glovework from Mac Perager to remove the bails with the batsman out of his ground.  

After this wicket, Trig threw the ball to Wyatt Hill, fresh from his first wicket ever last week (big hand Wyatt). He struggled slightly in his first over, having to adjust his lines for the left-hand, right-hand combination, however, considering it was the final stages of the innings, Hill the Younger did well to challenge the batsmen and got his rewards in the final over of the innings. Firstly, causing the righty to sky one into the offside, which was taken comfortably. Then a similar delivery was chipped up by the left handed century maker, which Rich Fell called for and caught expertly. The final delivery of the innings a swing and a miss from the batsman, who then walked out of his crease and get stumped by Mac, however, the umpire believed he called over before this so Wyatt saw his dreams of a 3-for taken away.

The innings was a struggle for the Elf with a few injuries in the field but some good bowling towards the back end had reigned Old Moseley in, keeping them to 227, not a low score but one which could have been a lot worse. It was going to be a tough chase but with the pitch drying out and a strong batting lineup, Walsall Health would definitely have a good go at getting the runs required.

Opening up for the Health was two of their finest with the bat and two batsman who have both played talismanic innings this season. Mac had notched a lovely half-century away at Bayshill. While pre-marriage Jack Stenson had been just a few runs short of a century in his last knock before getting hitched.

Unfortunately, Mac couldn’t repeat the feat, some tight bowling on fourth and fifth stump eventually took an edge and a sharp slip catch meant the Elf keeper was back in the hutch for just a single. Debutant Marlon took his place at the crease. He played the straight ball well and opened the arms to anything wide but unfortunately struggled to make contact to match the aggression and was soon given out LBW for 7. 

Stenson was still going well at the other end and was joined by Will Tomlinson. A classy batsman himself who is overdue an aforementioned big score and bat raise himself. Would today be the day?

 He joined Jack with the score at 43-2, usually a solid start but the rate was starting to escape the Health. The left-hand right-hand combination was muddling the bowlers’ lines and lengths but eventually one was pitched perfectly to Stenson, an LBW so plumb that even DS had to give it and Jack had no complaints either. A strong 42 from Jack and his jet lag, keep up the big scores Stenson.

Paul Caines was next in but couldn’t quite get going before being bowled for 6. With the score at 87-4, Lauchlan came out, someone who has been very organised in recent weeks and had all his ducks in a row. The baron run was soon over though, a couple of boundaries knocked the dust off his bat and soon the partnership was going strong, both batsman rotated the strike well with some drop and runs and the occasional acricutural club to the boundary. Despite the two settling well, the run rate remained stubbornly high and with the front line bowlers returning for the last few overs, the total was always getting away from the batsmen.

This time where there was Will’s there wouldn’t be a way. But their could be some stat padding and personal milestones. With Lauchlan on 45 though with two overs to go the ball sat up nicely, however he could only cloth it straight back to the bowler for an easy C&B, the partnership worth 82.

Tomlinson wasn’t going to make the same mistake, though. The ball before he flicked up and over off his pads for a beauty of a 6, you’d be hard pressed to find a better shot played by an Elf player this season. And soon the bat was being pointed to the pavilion as he took himself over the 50 mark. I’d put everything I own on this being the first of many for the Elf, well batted Will, it was a pleasure to be out there for most of it with you. There was time for one more lofty 6 to finish and get Will up to 57 not out and a single for the other not out batsman Wyatt Hill before the Elf finished up their overs on 185-5. A few ifs, buts and maybes for the team, but it was a great effort from the boys who just came up just a little short on the day. 

The Elf continue their season at Lichfield on Sunday, promoted to the main square so the England selectors can get a better view no doubt. With the forecast set fair and a lovely away ground, it’s well worth coming to support the lads if you are nearby. Come on the Elf.

Bowling innings by Will T, batting innings by Will L