Walsall Health 34-2 (12 ovs) BEAT Beaumont CC 68 all out (28 overs) by 16 runs via Duckworth Lewis

 

Elf win on Duckworth Lewis

For the first time since records began, the Elf were victorious via the Duckworth Lewis method on a rainy mid June afternoon in Aldridge.

Captain Hewlitt won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first on a wicket that looked to favour the bowlers. With overcast conditions also helping the ball swing like a cul-de-sac in Solihull, it was no surprise that Dave Stephens picked up the first wicket of ‘R Hodgson’ (shouldn’t he be in France?) for 11. However, this was not just ANY wicket, this was DS’ 100th wicket for the Elf. BIG HAND. With that he joined an elite club of players to reach that milestone. Soon after DS was up to 101 when he bowled Rando for 12. DS’ opening partner Nathan Martin, or as he is in the opposition’s book ‘N Larkin’ was again extremely unlucky to not pick up any further wickets himself, when their spells finished Beaumont were 27-2 from 12 overs. On at first change was Matt Wright who was straight into the action when Hall spooned a catch into Dollyland for skipper Hewlitt to re-open for the season. The away side nudged and nurdled their way to 55 before Davies and Wright took the final seven wickets between then for only thirteen runs. Khrisna was next to get when Tom Davies picked up his third (yes third) LBW of the season after his first ball of his spell was extremely close, it left Davies asking Hewlitt for the review.
The next over saw the end of Johnson off the bowling of Wright. Gary Fitzpatrick took a splendid catch out on the square leg boundary to see off a real dangerous batsmen. Wright moved to a ‘three for’ when we bowled Esp for three after the batsman had only survived a stumping shout because the ball had not passed the stumps for Gort to take. A real collector’s item was in store for the next wicket, Nathan Reeves gobbled up a catch at point for what has to be his first catch for the Elf. With Wrighty on a ‘Michelle’, Davies took aim and in his seventh over produced two deliveries that were no match for the Beaumont lower order. Hall had taken a few minutes to re strap his pads, move the sidescreen and scan the field leaving Davies at the top of his run up seething he could not start his over but with the first delivery he went to the McVities factory and produced an absolute jaffa which pitched on middle and swung away to clip the top of off. Davies then later in the over produced an ‘in ducker’ to Sandhu who was clean bowled. With one wicket remaining, screams of ‘jug avoidance’ for Wrighty when he could not get the illusive five for in his final over. It left Davies with his last deliver of his eight overs to trap Johnson in front to leave both bowlers a wicket short of a milestone.

Wright and Davies both produced career best figures for the Elf. Wrighty bowled his eight overs for 21 runs, 4 wickets and two maidens. Davies followed in the same fashion in the maiden and wicket column but only went for 14 runs from his spell.

With The Elf needing to chase a small target for victory, the rain began to fall but they decided to play the first 12 overs until tea and reconvene.

Elf nudged their way to 34 before the tea break for the loss of two wickets. Gort was triggered by Dave Stephens for 6 for the fourth LBW of the day and Nathan Reeves scored four before his was bowled. Gary Fitzpatrick was 12 not out the end with a couple of excellent shots to boot. Stuart Slater was 4 not out after crashing his first delivery to the boundary. At the tea interval it was decided that The Elf had to claim victory via The Duckworth Lewis method after demolishing the Beaumont batting line up.

A real top performance that was really about 3 people. Stephens for getting to a century of wickets and then Davies and Wright for producing career best spells with the leather.

The Spirit of the Elf lives on!

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	lbw Granger	6
Fitspatrick, G	not out	12
Reeves, N	b Granger	4
Slater, S	not out	4
Hewlitt, R	dnb
Hall, C	dnb
Phillpott, G	dnb
Stephens, D	dnb
Martin, N	dnb
Davies, T	dnb
Wright, M	dnb
Extras		8
Walsall Health		34

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Stephens, D	6	0	10	2
Martin, N	6	2	17	0
Wright, M	8	2	21	4
Davies, T	8	2	14	4

 

Walsall Health are singing in the rain as Lapworth Chuck it away

Walsall Health 215 all out (39.2 overs) def. Lapworth CC 128 all out by 87 runs

The Elf travelled down to rural Warwickshire for their third game of the season, their second as visitors on what was a ‘day after the day before’ for a few of the regulars after spending the previous 24 hours in Headlingley watching the mighty England.

A few old faces returned to the sides for their season debuts in Sam Stephens and Nathan Reeves.
Captain Hewlitt was third time lucky whilst tossing today and he correctly called and decided to bat first. Music to the ears to The Elf’s tail who were still sobering up from their day at the test.

Usual opening pair Chuck and Gorton strode out to the middle and had to face one of the better opening partnerships they would have ever faced.
Gorton was the first to go for 8 but a decent 35 run opening stand was good effort against some top bowling.
Sam Stephens was in at three but was bowled by the impressive Winters for a solitary run.
Nathan Reeves, fresh from military service hit a few lusty blows to the boundary but did  went AWOL on 8.
Captain Hewlitt survived a couple of decent deliveries from first change bowler McCormick but eventually played on for two.
Dave Stephens was in at six and there were claims of child abuse when Stephens cashed in to the Lapworth youngster Dean’s bowling but was bowled by the impressive McCormick for 16.

In at seven was Elf suerman Greg Phillpott. Having already impressed with ball and with his excellent fielding (as well as being a tall dark and handsome good looking *expletive*) Philpott produced a top knock in the midst of chaos and put on an great sixth wicket partnership with Chuck of 88 to ready steady the ship for The Elf. Philpott went with the score on 171 after getting 28 himself, his first for the club.

Nathan Martin was next in and he and Chuck put on 29 to get the score exactly on 200 by the time Chuck was excellently caught by the Lapworth youngster Dean, who will remember that catch for a long time.
Like all good partnerships, when one partner leaves, so does the other. Martin fresh from doing the job as a barman the day before and clearing a table of drinks (by falling through it) was bowled for seven.
After a long tea/rain delay the Elf were back on and JP was soon to fall for a duck. Tom Davies and Matt Wright put on 15 for the last wicket until Wright was bowled by Batti for 9.

 

With 215 to chase, the hosts were straight out of the blocks with opener Arnold hitting the first three balls the boundary for 4. This was a sign of things to come as with other opener Winters Lapworth looked like they would be home in time for Songs of Praise but a shining light in their way Sam Stephens, had other ideas.
On at first change, Stephens bowled a great away swinger to Arnold who knicked off to Gort and the Elf were on their way. At this point the Elf had Lapworth 72-1 after nine overs.
Nathan Martin came back on and after a few expletives produced a quality over in which he got three wickets from 4 balls in a treble wicket maiden. Double dangles all around in fines after for a fine spell in which Martin took 4-55 after being blitzed by Arnold (which there was no shame of) early doors.
Dave Stephens got in on the act and produced a full length ‘Jonty Rhodes esque’ attempt at a catch but was not to be. Stephens finished his eight overs 3-30.
In what was a mini collapse for Lapworth having been 71-0 to 128 all out. Wright and Davies came on and took a wicket each.

The Elf celebrated their first of hopefully many wins of the season in what at one stage looked as though it would not happen. A really good team effort from all concerned.

Written by Tom Davies

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	cb Arnold	8
Chuck, I	c dean b Batti	100
Stephens, S	b Winters	1
Reeves, N	c   b Arnold	8
Hewlitt, R	b McCormick	2
Stephens, D	b McCormick	16
Phillpott, G	c   b Batti	28
Martin, N	b Batti	7
Preece, J	ct    b Dean	0
Wright, M	b Batti	9
Davies, T	not out	3
Extras		33
Walsall Health		215

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	8	2	55	4
Stephens, D	8	3	30	3
Stephens, S	2	0	8	1
Chuck, I	3	0	23	0
Davies, T	4	1	6	1
Wright, M	2	1	2	1

Man of the match – Ian Chuck for his first ton of the season for the Elf.

Dai Watch – Dai this week did not keep score in hut which was a good 3 miles from the pavilion, he instead chose to be sociable and score with the team which upset a few locals. Well done Dai. (I think he wanted to be closer to the sheep who were incredibly close to his vantage point in the first innings…true Welshman!)

Rach’s pop scene – Miss G this week was on scoreboard walkie talkie duty with Wright but also produced some epic chicken pakora.

AOB –  Dave Stephen’s signal for the five penalty runs was like something out of Flashdance. A joy to behold.

Peopleton 252-5 (40 ovs) beat Walsall Health 230 all out (37.4 overs)

The Elf travelled down to rural Worcestershire this week to play Peopleton in what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far.

Skipper Hewlitt lost the toss and is now 0-2 in the tossing stakes this season. Unfortunately for the Elf, they were sent  in to field in the sweltering early summer heat.

Opening bowlers Nathan Martin and Dave Stephens did an excellent job in restricting the home side to as few runs as possible in the opening exchanges. Stephens unlucky to have a catch dropped by Tom Davies at full stretch at point.

Davies came on at first change for Martin and in his fourth over two wickets fell. One was the run out of Seconde for 29 off a great throw from Martin. The ‘seconde’ wicket of the over was Lane who survived a loud LBW shout first ball but succumbed to Davies getting his ‘seconde’ LBW of the season the fourth ball of the over trapping him plumb in front.
After the drinks break the Elf stifled in the heat and a partnership of Jamil and Smith put the home side in the driver’s seat. This was broken by Elf spinner Jonathan Preece whose brother David took a very good catch to see off Jamil for 42.

Another good partnership by Smith and Bird saw Peopleton bring up their 200 and Smith his 100 before Greg Philipott (who was excellent in the field as well as with the ball) took two wickets. One a caught and bowled and the second a superb catch from safe hands Matt Wright showing his team mates how it’s done taking a good catch.

The Elf battled but could not restrict the home team to less than 252, Nathan Martin once again imperious with the ball and once again very unfortunate to not have a wicket finishing with 8 overs going for 24 runs.

The Elf opened up their innings with Ian Chuck and Dave Preece, they put on a decent opening stand of 40 until Preece was bowled for 9 in his first knock of the season.
Long serving Andy Gorton was in at three and he produced a few lusty blows until he was dismissed for 13.
Captain Hewlitt was in a four and he made a quick fire 32 to get The Elf back on track he even hit three sixes to boot.
The middle order wobbled a bit with Philpott making an early claim for the duck trophy by collecting his second duck in as many games.
Dave Stephens hit a beautiful straight six but was bowled for one more than that and youngster Dan Dunn was triggered first ball to leave the Elf batsman scrambling for their gear in the hutch.
Nathan Martin joined Chuck who had easily made his second fifty of the season by this point but both men went in quick succession going for the win. Chuck eventually going for a really well made 77, already staking his claim for the 2016 batting trophy.

Davies was quickly bowled scoring a solitary run which left the Elf 199-9 needing 54 of the final six overs until the unthinkable nearly happened….

Matt Wright and JP put on a 31 run partnership in quick time, Wright hitting four boundaries to take the Elf to within 23 of victory but was bowled going for the win.

All in all a good game of cricket from both sides played the right way. The Elf’s next game is away at Lapworth in two weeks time where they will be trying to get their first win of the season.

 

 

Written by Tom Davies

 

Batting		Runs
Chuck, I	b Reason	77
Preece, D	b West	9
Gorton, A	b	13
Hewlett, R	b Reason	32
Philpott, G	b Reason	0
Stephens, D	b Reason	7
Martin, N	b Reason c ?	6
Dunn, D	lbw Tanner	0
Preece, J	Not out	5
Davies, T	b Clarke	1
Wright, M	b West	20
Extras		60
Walsall Health		230

 

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	8	1	24	0
Stephens, D	4	1	33	0
Davies, T	5	0	33	1
Dunn, D	6	0	43	0
Wright, M	5	0	42	1
Philpott, G	4	0	36	2

24th of April 2016

Walsall Health V Sportsman @ Aldridge

Sportsman CC (126-2) def. Walsall Health CC (123 all out) by 8 wickets

 

The Elf kicked off their 2016 campaign a week later than planned after last week’s opener was called off due to a rather moist outfield. New skipper Rob ‘Hewlitt the dogs out?’ did a great job flipping the coin at the toss but the opposing captain decided to stick the Elf in on what was definitely a ‘bowl first’ morning.

 

Rich Fell (who had flown in every member of his family) strode out to the middle for his 200th game for the Elf, in what is seen by all as a fantastic achievement.

 

He was joined by Sportsman CC’s arch nemesis Ian Chuck, after last year’s ‘glove gate’ scandal he may want to trade in his ‘iChuck’ t-shirt for a newer ‘iGlove’ model.

The Elf openers battled through the first few overs with Rich Fell using everything but his bat but he was removed for a single digit after missing a straight one. Chuck was joined at the crease by Greg Philpott on debut who gallantly charged down the track to Walder who was bowling decent pace but the Elf debutant failed to trouble the scorers. Everyone’s favourite Blues fan Lyndon Billingham was the next in and after a few meaty blows to the boundary he was also dismissed for 9. None of this seemed to phase Chuck at the other end who was plodding along nicely into the twenties. Hewlitt joined Chuck but was clean bowled for one after ‘playing all round a straight one’ to his own admission for the same score as Fell. Stuart Slater, The Elf’s very own playboy was next in (modelling a rather swarve pair of slick white Calvins in the changing room after) he managed two before he was back in the hut. Dave Stephens became the first golden duck of the day (but not the last) the very next ball. Nathan Martin joined Chuck and the pair put on a handy 38 run partnership for the seventh wicket. Martin’s runs down the order have become extremely valuable to the Elf in recent years and this year was no different. He was bowled for fifteen. Blink and you’ll miss it, Tom Davies was next in but was bowled for the second golden duck of the day. JP Jonathan Preece was next in and he became only the third batsman to reach double figures with ten handy runs down the order. The next man to go was the valiant Chuck who has battled his way through more than thirty overs to score fifty-eight on what was a difficult day for runs.

The Elf set the Sportsman 124 for victory and the lads piled in for tea. On return from a brisk shower over the tea period Nathan Martin and Dan Armstrong bowled the first ten overs for a little over 30 between them. It really was a top effort from both men for no reward. Martin topped the bowling figures with five overs, one maiden, none for eleven. The only two wickers for The Elf came from the first change bowlers. Dave Stephens came on and bowled Patel for a well made 18. The second wicket of the day was a moment most of the Elf contingent have been waiting a long time for.

In the middle of his fourth over Tom Davies (post mini meltdown after bowling a few no balls and full tosses) produced the ball of the day. It pitched on a good length just on off stump and nipped back the right-handed opener who missed the ball and it cannoned into his back pad just on the knee-roll. The whole of the Elf team including Davies could see that it was an absolutely stone dead LBW and for the first time in his Elf career, the umpire did not turn Davies down. As he turned around to look at the umpire the finger was already being raised and Davies had finally got an LBW at long last.

At drinks, the game was evenly poised at every cricketer’s favourite score, 69-2. But a few hefty blows from the Sportsman CC to both Phillpott and Preece saw them reach their total by the 25th over and the game was done. A big hand to the visitors who would have impressed many a fisherman with their tight lines in their bowling display but a lot of their batting shots were aerial and if the Elf would have had men in the right places, it could have had a different story to their bowling.

All in all, it’s good to get the season off to a start but just a few unfortunate factors led to The Elf not being able to pull off the victory, hats off to the visitors who played well.

 

 

Batting		Runs
Fell, R	b Sangha	1
Chuck, I	run out	58
Phillpott, G	b Walden	0
Billingham, L	b Sayad	9
Hewlitt, R	b Zohib	1
Slater, S	b Nasser	2
Stephens, D	lbw b Nasser	0
Martin, N	b Walden	15
Davies, T	b Sayad	0
Preece, J	b Nasser	10
Armstrong, D	not out	2
Extras		24
Walsall Health		123

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	5	1	11	0
Armstrong, D	4	0	13	0
Stephens, D	6	0	36	1
Davies, T	6	0	25	1
Phillpott, G	1.3	0	22	0
Preece, J	1	0	11	0

Man of the Match – I.Chuck for an excellent innings with a few real class shots to post the first of many half centuries of the season.

Rach’s pop scene – Rach was only in attendance for the first innings of which she spent the majority of it indoors due to the Baltic like conditions. She was also quick to dismiss any kind of romantic relationship with Davies after being questioned by one of the locals.

Dai watch – This week, Dai braved the weather to score in what mustn’t have been the friendliest conditions. Big hand for Dai.

AOB – There are new showers in the home changing rooms at Aldridge which give the boys’ ‘shower club’ a new meaning with mood lighting and everything.

Report by Tom Davies.

 

 

This years PU took place at the Red Lion in West Bromwich on Friday the 13th of November.

Can’t really remember a lot due to it being some time ago and plenty of beer tokens flying around on the night, so I’ll just go a head and post the winners for the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9th of August 2015

Walsall Health V Swynnerton @ Swynnerton

Walsall Health (57 –  20.2 Overs) lost to Swynnerton (245 – 39.3 Overs)

Hot off the press apologies it’s late. It’s a tough one for bigging everyone up so let’s take the medicine and move on!!!

The Elf slump in Swynnerton. Normally a write up of great superlatives and daring do’s there is little that can be said about this poor showing from the Aldridge based men.

With a couple of late arrivals. One arrival 10 overs into the game. Some lethargic fielding on occasion just not brave enough too was poor.

Wayward bowling and a lack of sharpness all around allied to some tidy and big hitting performances meant that we gave ourselves an uphill challenge.

The team regrouped at tea. However, wickets tumbled and if there had been any more ducks then small children may have started throwing pieces of stale bread at us.

A crushing and somewhat embarrassing defeat as a collective we did not turn up.

There were however a few glimpses of what we can deliver.

Tom Davies with a 5for continued his recent great form with the ball In hand and also top run scored.

Richard Fell was brilliant in the field and out of all of us I think he is the one player who you could look at and say he gave 100% the whole game and is an absolute credit to the team. Still a leader out there.

Josh Markham acquitted himself well on his debut and took a fine catch on the boundary. A baptism of fire on his first game opening the bowling.

Skipper Dave Preece took a couple of fine catches the fly ball on the boundary a particularly good take.

It was also great to have Dave Stephens back for a game with the Elf too.

It must also be noted that the Swynnerton lads were a young and very well mannered bunch and one youngster in particular has a very bright cricketing future ahead of him.Home game next so let’s bounce back and move on and show what the Spirit of the Elf is all about!

 

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	b Bailey	0
Preece, D	b Bailey	0
Hewlitt, R	c b Ward	10
Martin, N	b Ward	1
Stephens, D	c b Wardell	5
Reeves, N	b Ward	0
Slater, S	b Ward	0
Fell, R	b Shearing	7
Davies, T	b Chandler	14
Wright, M	c b Ward	10
Markham, J	not out	3
Extras		7
Walsall Health		57

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	8	0	31	2
Markham, J	6	0	55	0
Davies, T	7.3	0	30	5
Stephens, D	8	0	38	1
Wright, M	3	0	29	0
Preece, D	3	0	20	1
Hewlitt, R	4	0	23	1

TOP BATSMAN, TOP BOWLER
& MAN OF THE MATCH
Tom Davies turned up in most departments today unlike the rest of the team. Good work from the Ginger Jewel.

TOP FIELDER
Resident warrior Rich Fell. Twisted knee and he still showed more heart than most of the team put together. Ran and ran and ran. Prepared to put his body on the line where others were not.

AOB
Rob Hewlett experienced a near death encounter as Rachel went shooting through a rural junction. His whites were nearly brown!

Discovering that our skipper has had his wife’s initials shaved into the hair on his bum
Cheeks is comedy gold! SP on the DP!

The Stuart Slater flounce was up there with some of the best super strops. However like Nathan Martins Bat up a Tree and Nathan Reeves broken helmet at least Our International playboy took it to the confines of the changing room!

RACHEL GORTON’S – POP SCENE
Making it here alive The RG lounged finishing off her racy novel. Toms and a gifted scarf from the Canary Islands set off this weeks outfit. No jug duty as the visiting team.

DAI WATCH
A quiet day for the scoring super hero. However he did have a fully functional electronic score board and a Roxanne-esque red light to signal.

 

2nd August 2015

WHCC v Coventry Willow CC
@ Nuneaton

Walsall Health (152-8 40 Overs) lost to Coventry Willow (228-8 40 Overs)

The Elf travelled to Warwickshire lacking many regular players. With long standing skipper Rich Fell back at the helm with Angharrad Preece donning the whites along with Father & Son duo Nicka & Daniel Dunn not to mention the languid left armed spinner Josh Butler making a return for his first game of 2015 we took to the field.

It would seem for the first time this season we had glorious sunshine. And one of the fastest outfields we have encountered this season.

Tom Davies and Nathan Martin opened the bowling with Alice Band wearing Doc taking the first wicket. Matt Wright taking a catch at square leg. The sort of Dolly Land catch reigning fielder of the year Rob Hewlett has at the corner stone of his success. Nathan doing really well after realising he had misplaced his spikes only hours before the game.

Welsh Tom got in amongst the Wickets too bowling another strong spell and it wasn’t until later in the game when he dropped avert tough catching attempt that the now trademark tantrum reared its head. The Ginger Jewel in the Elfs bowling crown was on form again this week.

Last time at this ground The Rotund Right Arm Spinner Wright, took 2 wickets with 5 balls. And once again got into the act with 3 wickets. The highlight being a 2 wicket maiden over. However after the Lord Mayors show came the proverbial….as his 6th and last over of the day got smacked for 14 runs.

The home team could have had even more runs on the board baring the high energy all action, brave and bold fielding of Angharad Preece. Not only fearless but also had a massive arm reaching the wickets from the boundary.

You can’t talk about fielding without 6 Time. Yes that’s right 1,2,3,4,5 SIX TIME fielder of the year Rich Fell getting a mention. The usual superb stops and run saving dives came into play but one chase and slide into the boundary in front of the pavilion was pure test match special.

 

The Dunn boys came into the attack. And the dynamic Dingles put in a good shift. Both unlucky not to take wickets as there were a couple of wild shots that just didn’t find our field.

 

 

 

Josh Butler famed for his left hand grenades didn’t bring his live ammo on this occasion, saving his efforts for a fine batting display that would see the long levered lefty tantalise us with a decent batting knock. Getting out the reverse sweep from somewhere in his Locker.

Ian Chuck came to the party with 2 quality wickets bowling their danger man and as always showing class with the ball. Yet fielding advice forced upon the skipper saw him punished with a lengthy spell at cow corner for the misdemeanour.

A senior batsman for Coventry Willow by the name of Pigott got 81 runs and had a classy superb nock and was the foundation for the 228 runs that the home team put on the board.

Super Andy Gorton and Chuck set about the chase. Player of the Year I.Chuck didn’t last too long after making 6 runs. The Gort set about chiseling out 30 runs. Even running a 3 on a hot day this was impressive for the legend.

Rich Fell looked in good nick before being undone by a fizzing swinging Jaffa of the highest order. Until then it looked like the Skipper could be heading to a big score.

Pocket Dynamo Nathan Reeves batting without a helmet after smashing it up in a moment of temper last outing hit a few good shots that on other days would have been 4s rather than 1s and 2s. And for Andy Gorton a bit like Basil Fawlty when the Germans stayed… don’t mention the RUN OUT.

Daniel Dunn had a classy nick and showed great maturity belying his junior years out performing all but the Gort with the bat. 3 boundaries and some great stroke play made for a mighty debut.

Angharad came out with more layers than a vienetta. Continuing her great display hitting a boundary to cap a fine performance.

It was that good lets hear about it twice. Josh Butler and a reverse sweep! (Woooof)
Sexy batting.

Nathan came out to the middle and smashed a quick fire 16. Leaving tail Enders Davies and Wright to see out the remaining overs. Matt getting double figures for the first time.

153 not enough. But a valiant effort by the team on a great summers afternoon and a game played in the best of spirits.

 

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	run out	30
Chuck, I	b Singh	6
Fell, R	b Josh	20
Reeves, N	b Sharma	7
Dunn, D	c b Ellis	24
Preece, A	b Fenton	4
Butler, J	Stumped b Pibial	8
Martin, N	c b Ellis	16
Davies, T	not out	4
Wright, M	not out	10
Dunn, A	dnb
Extras		18
Walsall Health		153

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Davies, T	8	1	36	1
Martin, N	8	0	44	1
Wright, M	6	1	42	3
Dunn, A	6	0	31	0
Dunn, D	4	0	26	0
Butler, J	2	0	20	0
Butler, J	6	1	17	2

 

MAN OF THE MATCH
Daniel Dunn. Brilliant with the Bat, outstanding Overs bowled and fantastic in the field. A great outing from a young man with so much talent and such a bright cricketing future ahead of him. Hopefully, we will see him have an outing for the Elf again soon. However Dad Nicka must take some of the credit for letting him play!

TOP BATSMAN
Super Andy Gorton. Stopped prematurely in his tracks from maybe getting a big score today. But with the runs contributed 1/5 of the total we amassed!

TOP BOWLER
Matt Wright took 3 wickets, but Ian Chuck with his brace and the scalp of danger man Pigott edges this weeks accolade.

TOP FIELDER
Angharad Preece. Sensational effort. Stopped everything that came her way. Exceptional.

AOB
Day of the flying Ants. It was that time of the year when they took to the air.
Great to see the Skipper Dave and I will leave formal good news announcements to him.
JP would appear to have a Jimmy Nail / Crocodile Dundee hat that is just the ultimate. Stylish accessory that the Elf has ever seen!

RACHEL GORTON’S – POP SCENE
Hot Hot Hot. Both Rachel and the weather today. However talk of the previous nights
Top was the item of busty fashion. No hang over rating as one threatened and without pop duty as it was an away game a sun burnt ear was the rewards for the day off in the sunshine.

DAI WATCH
Busy day for the Elf Legend. Forgotten glasses meant that JP was on scoring duty and that allowed him frequent trips to the bar. With Sue behind the wheel and no driving duty… What time was it…. beer o’clock.

Written by Matthew Wright

 

19th July 2015

WHCC v Old Moseley Fit Men CC
@ Aldridge

Walsall Health beat Old Moseley Fit Men by 4 Wickets

A hot day saw everyone arrive on time. Although the game promised 11 ‘fit men’ only 8 turned up. We are only usually missing one fit man and the Elfs Casanova jet setting in Panama & New York was on an international break. Stuart Slater will return but who knows in what time zone!

With many of our own squad unavailable Danny Conway stepped into the fray. And he was involved for almost the whole game. Fielding for us. Opening the batting. Umpiring and fielding for the opposition. It really was a committed return to the team!

Mine mine mine mine mine mine. Said the skipper as Super Andy Gorton backs up to take a simple catch. Despite losing the Toss, David Preece had a plan to win.

Andy Ince was amazing in the field and also with some consistent and fiery bowling he deserved his wicket.

6 Time fielder of the year Rich Fell was instrumental in the Elf Getting a run own. Sharp Fielding and an accurate long throw gave Gort the opportunity to whip off the bails. Less impressive was later catching out The Elf Legend. Just Booooooooooo!

Re-focussing after a dropped catch Nathan Reeves was as always energetic in the field and the pocket rocket turned pocket battle ship after some sledging turned nasty. Beep beep beep beep beep your beeping beep beep face beep. Or something like that. Great effort with bat best this season. Although I hear helmets were broke in the post walk off flounce!

Gort moved up the order today and after smashing a few quick ones decided to give Rich ‘The Traitor’ Fell some dolly land practice. The Gort wore a few behind the stumps today, excellent glove work. Just the best there is.

If your talking about the best there is then surely the Premium strike Bowler, The Excellence of Execution, Ice Man Chris Hall has to be mentioned. Coolness personified even after Wright dropped a chance running backwards over his shoulder. (Clearly missing last weeks batting hero Lyndon Billingham to talk him through it!) Chally shrugged it off to get his wicket and great figures.

Chuck did however take a catch running backward over his shoulder that was a superb take. Maybe up there for the best catch so far this season. Sledging our own batsman was an interesting move later in the game. Almost as interesting as advising the skipper on tactical matters!
The reigning player of the season also getting us over the winning line with the bat.
And also deserved a wicket with the ball. Some top bowling too.

Tom Davies, was polarised in his happy place and his efforts in his bowling were monumental. Great wicket and deserved more with yet another 100% plumb LBW. Dynamic in the field and generally just great cricket on the day. Stay in that Happy Place Tom!

Wright picked up two wickets in his second spell after being worked over in his first. One of which was an amazing bottom edge catch from Super Andy Gorton.

Rob Hewlett set the standard with the bat today like so many times this season. Loving the charge down the wicket to smash some fours. And also got a wicket with his bowling.

So the mighty Elf march on. A weakened opposition but we can only play what is In Front of us at the time. And we chased the 121 total down in 26 overs. Great effort from
The whole team again!

He might lose the toss but he wins us games. Let’s salute our Captain Dave Preece as he leads us to another Victory!!

Batting		Runs
Conway, D	c b Caesar	4
Preece, D	b Caesar	9
Fell, R	c b Sharif	22
Hewlitt, R	b Ralph	33
Gorton, A	c b Ralph	13
Chuck, I	not out	7
Ince, A	not out	3
Reeves, N	b Tucker	27
Hall, C	DNB
Davies, T	DNB
Wright, M	DNB
Extras		4
Walsall Health		122

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Davies, T	8	2	23	1
Hewlitt, R	3	0	18	1
Ince	6	2	16	1
Hall, C	8	1	17	1
Chuck, I	8	3	12	0
Wright, M	6.1	0	25	2

 

TOP BOWLER
& MAN OF THE MATCH
Everyone’s favourite Ginger. The flaming locked super stropper, Tom Davies.
Superb bowling display, great in the field, umpired and Fielded for the opposition!
All round ‪#‎winner‬. No radiohead this week!

TOP BATSMAN
Nathan Reeves had a great little knock pre flounce, however, Rob Hewlett’s 33 Rules the day. Kiss kiss bang bang!

TOP FIELDER
Got to be Andy Ince aka The Ball Magnet.
Like a wall out there stopping everything that came within his proximity! Superb effort!

AOB
The day started and ended with The Kannon.
The automated ball flinger gave muchos merriment until we broke it at the end of the day by putting an apple in it!

Lovely to have Grace and George at the game today! Another family feel. Angharad, JP and Rachel the big kids had fun too.

JP’s favourite Mike Sayers was also there enjoying the sunshine and almost taking his daughter out with a Chris Waddle like 1990 World Cup semi final wild swing of the foot. I’m sure Katie would not be impressed if her daughter went home with lump on the brow.

Another superb Gail sweet selection just needs to sort out punctuality issues!

Random bloke sticking his head in the changing room to hear us belting out White Snakes, Here I go again, was comedy gold!

Wonderful to Mrs Skipper on the verge of providing more Elf members at the game too. And Mommy G attending fines was a rare and welcome treat! (‪#‎favourite‬)

RACHEL GORTON’S – POP SCRNE
A black maxi dress supremely stylish but a little bit of a warm day and unpredicted hot spell had our beverage beauty boiling.

Unhappy with the current state of jugs and cups it’s could be that a new high tech portable drink distribution system could be on the cards.

Slightly disappointed that there was no hang over rating after the previous nights wine intake while watching a weepy!

DAI WATCH
Not the finest hour from the scoring maestro this week who frankly got the score book in a little bit of a mess.

Good job Mrs P was there to keep him in check. As an ex teacher his own book report might be… Can do better!

The fines explanation of what went wrong was like a Welsh Ronnie Corbett telling one of his rambling yarns.

Written by Matthew Wright