12th July 2015

WHCC v Highwood Park
@ Rushall

Walsall Health beat Highwood Park by 3 runs.

After recently beating them on their home patch at Himley. The Neutral venue of Rushall saw is take on Highwood Park.

The Elf took to the field with regular opening Pair of Gorton and Chuck. And after making 8, the ball was juggled on the boundary as the fielder fell backwards hit his chest and he caught it!

The skipper went out to join Chuck leaving Matt Wright unsupervised with score book making his debut effort at keeping score. Thankfully the intervention of The Gort saved more mistakes than the one run error!

It was proving to be a difficult wicket. And runs were not easy to come by. Both Nathan Reeves and Stuart Slater had nice came dos with the bat and Rob Hewlett did well when he entered the field of play.

It was a soling knock anchoring the Middle order from Lyndon ‘The Don’ Billingham that steadied the ship and kept us in the game. The Birthday Weekend boy showed his potential. Also giving great encouragement to new batting partners with positive advice.

Martin and Davies famed for their work with the ball also chipped in with some valuable runs. Unlike Wright who managed to be bowled for his second duck of the season.
A few snide comments from Highwood supporters caused a little fracas on his way back to the pavilion.

142 was the total that we had to defend!

However before the Elf Glatiators took the field the re-fuelled on an RG super tea!

Matt Wright opened the bowling for the first time in his time with the Health. Getting a Maiden with his first over too. At the other end Nathan Martin pummelled the opposition with pace and precision getting 2 wickets in a superb spell.

Tom Davies had a game on two ends. bowling up the hill he wasn’t feeling it. And it was time to start the Suicide watch. Wright returned to complete his spell taking a wicket along the way.

Super Andy Gorton got his man with a sublime stumping. Exacting some revenge for That Catch!

The 6for man Rob Hewlett also bowled a couple of economic overs too.

However, bowling at the other end TD turned into a cricketing warrior. Rip snorting delivers and soon was amongst the wickets. Despite a valiant attempt from Nathan Reeves he couldn’t quite grasp the ball that would have given *insert Ginger nick name here Tom his hatrick.

The scoreboard began to run away a little a some big sixes were hit from both ends.

Going into the 29th over they opposition needed 32 runs to win off 66 balls.
Tom had broken the back with 2 quick fire wickets but this was a mountain to climb.

The fielding had to be tight. Everyone was committed and brave in stopping runs. Non more so than Stuart Slater who led the way in stemming the flow of runs. Magnificent.

Pressure was on Chuck as he could no longer allow the big hitters any room. And he didn’t. Controlled spin saw him take two wickets. His last 3 overs when the game was in the balance went Maiden, wicket Maiden , Maiden. The Elf’s player of 2014 again superb when the team needed his often hot head to be cool….

Talking of cool… Ice Cool… Then look no further than ICE MAN Chris Hall. The ‘real life super hero’ Returning after breaking his finger in this fixture a couple of weeks earlier.
Putting his body on the line, this is where the weak tumble but the courageous rise to be counted.

8 overs 4 maidens 12 Runs 3 Wickets.

And when The Elfs excellence of execution runs in against the batsman, just like the New Order song we celebrated to in the changing room later…
Arriverderci….it’s 1 on 1. And it was good bye to Highwood Parks hopes of winning.

Every member of the team contributed. We overcame a couple of incidents of Bad sportsmanship and The Elf won the day.
In an epic battle!

This is…..
THE GOLDEN GENERATION
Of Walsall Health CC

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	c b Perks	8
Chuck, I	c b Duncan	16
Preece, D	c b Craig	38
Reeves, N	b Evans	5
Hewlitt, R	lbw Alsopp	22
Slater, S	c b Craig	5
Billingham, L	not out	22
Davies, T	b Craig	11
Wright, M	b Alsopp	0
Martin, N	c b Holiday	7
Hall, C	not out	0
Extras		8
Walsall Health		142

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Wright, M	8	1	37	1
Martin, N	8	2	13	2
Davies, T	6	1	25	2
Hewlitt, R	2	0	7	0
Chuck, I	8	3	34	2
Hall, C	8	4	12	3

AOB
Loving the JP bearded look. Will the King of Spain return as the new ‘Beard to be Feared!’?

Nan & Grandad Martin making up The Elf super fans along with Aunty Gail and the Preece Ladies. Might need to start a membership scheme.

Top friendly host behind the bar at Rushall. A really lovely bloke. Helped with drinks and all round good sport.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Split vote with 5 players all having a nomination. Martin, Billingham, Davies & Wright. Proving we all delivered as a great team.
Ice Man Chris Hall takes this weeks award.
With an absolute amazing bowling display!

TOP BOWLER
Chris Hall & Ian Chuck when the pressure was on. Tom Davies caught fire after changing ends. Nathan opened well.
Take your pick from an heroic bowling unit.

TOP BATSMAN
The skipper and vice did well, but this weeks award must go the Birthday Boy and The Don of The Elf. Lyndon Billingham.
Positive in his stroke play and in his encouragement of his numerous batting partners. And the best is still yet to come!

TOP FIELDER
Like the bowlers everyone put a shift in today. However, Stuart Slater edges the award. Like a wall. And brave when needed too.

RACHEL GORTON’S – POP SCRNE
It is as a double shift today as the beverage beauty was also the food fashionista as she made the teas. As always a top spread and quality cakes from the Mommy G too!

It was a hot day and there were a few envious looks when Rob smothered Rachel in sun cream. But we knew that Rob would apply some to us all if we just asked!

Club colours were the order of the day as when the temperature dropped the ‘2 Jugs’ Hoodie was on display!

DAI WATCH
To the tune of New Orders England Anthem… ‘Dai’s got his hips in motion’!
Some may say that the Welsh Wonder is the Vintage Slater of the Valleys. Maybe one day his memoirs will reveal all.
Another fine turn out from the Preece family.

 

Written by Matthew Wright

 

5th July 2015

WHCC v Old West Heathians
@ Hopwood

Walsall Health Lost to Old West Heathians by 49 Runs

After the heat wave earlier in the week. It was a match that was weather effected and ultimately the difference between the two teams.

The outfield was like Glass as The Elf took to the field against league standard opposition one man short as Stuart Slater was recreating a scene from Boogie Night holding up his arrival.

Nathan Martin and Tom Davies opened and there were a few early chances. But anything hit raced away to the boundaries. TD was unlucky not to claim an LBW and also a looping ball that spooned in between Wright & Hewlitt meant that a moments hesitation lost the catching chance.

Catch of the day had to be the skipper under a high one going ‘mine mine mine mine’ like the seagulls out of ‘Finding Nemo’!

Chuck tied down an end only going for 14 runs off 8 overs and Wright with 16 off 4 demonstrated that in the context of the game taking the pace off may have been key.

Although taking this usual few catches the 6for man last week could not recreate his form this week. Wickets were taken by the Preece Brothers but this was interspersed by some lusty boundary blows. Gaz bowling full flight until realising his hat was on.

This week saw the season debut of living legend and all round nice guy Shane O’Callaghan who was a welcome addition to the team. Nathan Reeves was all action and very nearly in the right place at the right time with some catching attempts.

Slates after his arrival demonstrated that it’s all about the left foot even in a game of cricket. It took a few overs for The Healths Heart Throb to warm up into the pace of the game.

Super Andy Gorton flies through the air with greatest of ease, always stopping byes and boundaries with dynamic dives and today he went full stretch ‘Air Gorton’ to his left.  ‪#‎Wow‬

The heavens opened up. Early tea and a 37 over game. 218 was the chase.

Chuck and Gort set off and batted well both into the high 30s to get the platform for the chase. The Preece brothers running between the wickets was of epic proportions. Before Dave ran out Gaz who had already gone past the half tonne mark!

The problem was that the outfield had slowed greatly after the pre tea down pour and The Elf had to work hard for their Runs.

No ducks today and everyone contributed to the chase. Matt Wright got his first ever boundary. Rob Hewlitt, Nathan Reeves and Shane O’Callaghan, all weighed in with a few runs and our opening Bowlers Tom and Nathan Martin also ended the game in bat together.

After last weeks great opponents, it was a bump back to reality. A little bit coarse crass and in ours and each other’s faces. Some good guys, but more Sunday league football thugs than the Gentlemen of a cricket field.

Like Kevin Keegan, I would have LOVED IT if we had beaten them and on another day with the run of the green they were no better than us and we would do it!

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	c b Talbot	38
Chuck, I	lwb b Heath	39
Preece, G	b Winstanly	52
Preece, D	run out	55
Hewlitt, R	c  b Winstanly	16
Reeves, N	b Winstanly	9
O’Callaghan, S	c b Stock	2
Slater, S	b Winstanly, P	1
Wright, M	run out	5
Martin, N	not out	2
Davies, T	not out	0
Extras		13
Walsall Health		169

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	6.2	1	39	0
Davies, T	5	0	3	1
Chuck, I	8	3	14	0
Preece, G	6	2	38	2
Wright, M	4	0	17	0
Wright, M	3	0	15	1
Preece, D	4	0	37	2
Hewlitt, R	3	0	28	0

 

AOB
Tom umpired with distinction. And casually dismissed petulance and antagonistic antics.
One more word and Matt Wright umpiring at square leg may have produced his smack down WWE elbow pads, yet to be seen on a cricket pitch.

The Ice Man stalked the boundary and chatted to those perimeter of the pitch fielding. Conversational gems include the great AP McCoy and Cryo Therapy Chambers!

Hottest showers ever.

MAN OF THE MATCH
We didn’t vote. However as its his last game for this trip and he’s done great while he’s been back I am giving it to Gareth Preece.

TOP BOWLER
Meaner than a mean thing that’s mean with giving runs away, it has to be Ian Chuck

TOP BATSMAN
Gareth Preece like the Fresh Prince said….
‘Tick tick BOOM’. An explosive knock.

TOP FIELDER
It was a tough afternoon out in the field and Rob Hewlitt looked just to nick the accolade this week for his fine efforts.

RACHEL GORTON’S – POP SCENE
Walsall Health’s International Lady of Leisure set up camp in the viewing area, still reading her paper back filth. Allied to some summer berries and shortbread. Breaks due to heavy showers meant the everyone’s hero Ice Man Chris Hall soon scooped up her things and ushered her to dryness.

DAI WATCH
It was like a Welsh edition of the Cosby show. And not just because of the 1980s sweater the Great Man was wearing. With all 6 of the Preece family in attendance it was a full house and Preece-tastic. However, JP should have gone and umpired his brothers.

Written by Matthew Wright

 

28th JUNE 2015

WHCC v Solihull Municipal

Walsall Health beat Solihull Municipal by 5 Wickets

In the polar opposite of a Tom Davies match report processed in the Sunday I am afraid that this weeks write up is rather late. To which I squarely blame the Skipper who’s works 20/20 game at Walsall CC I went to watch on Tuesday night and as you know that’s normally the time I get things written up.

Hopefully worth the wait, yet for the star of last weeks show I am sure he is eager to read the exploits of his land mark achievement.

With Nathan Reeves on Action Man duties and the Ice Man Chris Hall still recovering from a broken finger Matt Wright and Mike Sayers were propelled into the team. Good job the Solihull boys delivered a comprehensive tea.

With no helipad available and a dodgy ground postcode resident Casanova, International Man of Mystery and last of the play boys Stuart Slater like many of us ended up on an industrial estate prior to locating the ground. However, seasoned, elf legend Super Andy Gorton knew where he was going and arrived in his kit incase an earlier bowls match over ran. A thumping Bowls victory meant he was one of the first to arrive.

The Mighty Elf have once again found come consistent and cohesive form with bat and ball and a strong unit in the field.

Openers Gorton & Chuck establishing a great play form. Yet there were some strong words regarding the sight screen. With chucky having a sense of humour bypass when Hewlett, Fell & Wright formed a human extension to the screen rather than moving it. Chuck economical with the ball too. 69 runs with the bat capped a great day. Yet some little petulant outbursts have to be noted.

The Gort making 30 is coming back to form, but with the gloves the magic is always there and he never fails to disappoint with some comedic Velcro glove antics and bobbling balls to the brow! And of course he took some stumpings. ‪#‎standard‬.

Rich Fell not as prolific with the bat as in recent weeks, but you just can’t beat 6 time fielder of the year when it comes to his efforts in the field, unless your stood at mid wicket taking dolly catches!!

Slater & Sayers put the yards in the field. Mike with a fine catch and Slater cutting off many runs and every game the distance off his arm is improving. Both made 2 with the bat.

It was a warm day and Fitz was wearing more layers than a vienetta. And the ball kept coming his way in the early stages. Once he stripped off of course his action quietened down. Before the game practicing his bowling on the match wicket was a little bit ‘village’ but 45 Not Out with the bat was a brilliant knock that contained 8 boundaries of which two of the hits were 6’s!

The skipper didn’t bat today but had a little cameo with the ball with his two overs going for a miserly 5 runs. A real all rounder as he always sets the example in the field too. Not afraid to reprimand when needed, a stern word with Chuck after a fielding flounce was swift and to the point.

Nathan Martin took a wicket going for less than 4 an over. A great spell. It’s the power of the hair band! Yet we all had a chuckle when he through the ball backwards on one of his approaches. It would more hair and less anger is key for fast fetlock fizzer!

Out other opener Tom Davies despite not taking a wicket contained an end and had great figures. Arguably some of his best bowling and with a great performance in the field after a early error had a very very strong game.

It’s been said by Chris Hall that if he did the match reports he’s wouldn’t just point out the good things he would also slate people for the bad. So let’s put this to the test…
Matt Wright took 2 wickets in 6 overs. In his first two overs only went for 1 run each. However… His third over went for 18 And his fourth for 9 runs. This clearly needs to be improved on and more focus applied. The Ice Man found this level of inconsistency unacceptable and must be improved upon!

Vice Skipper Rob Hewlett in recent weeks has been leading by example. And today the long levered leader entered a very special club. Taking 6 wickets from 8 overs going for 31 ones runs was IMMENSE! Entering the century and Fifer club. And the first 5for since the PSB C.Hall took 5 for’s in one season!

Throw in a couple of catches and some red ink in the score book with 5 not out, does an afternoon of cricket get any better than this.

A great game of cricket and a fund enjoyable day. The individual performance was fantastic from Rob but the victory goes to a great team performance cementing ‘The Golden Generation’ into the Elf’s history books.

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	lbw b Mcdonald	30
Chuck, I	c Dallow b Talbot	69
Fell, R	b O’Leary	5
Sayers, M	B O’Leary	2
Slater, S	c Mcdonald b Talbot	2
Fitzpatrick, G	not out	45
Hewlitt, R	not out	5
Preece, D	DNB
Wright, M	DNB
Davies, T	DNB
Martin, N	DNB
Extras		11
Walsall Health		170

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	8	0	31	1
Davies, T	8	0	28	0
Chuck, I	8	2	26	0
Preece, D	2	0	5	0
Hewlitt, R	8	1	31	6
Wright, M	6	0	43	2

AOB
Solihull Municipal were very friendly opposition a great bunch of lads with good facilities and a lovely tea. Reasonable prices bar in the social club and an all round great day.

However, with only two showers a 3 way wash with Fitz, Wright & Fell would surely have been one for ladies everywhere if it had been caught on film. Prime beef, ripped, eye candy + Matt & Trigg!

It was guilty pleasure week with song choices. Let’s just say Rob Hewlett was the one and only for the day having the time of his life.

MAN OF THE MATCH
& TOP BOWLER
Despite JP saying it should be Mike Sayers before he left the ground, it can only be one man…. Mr Robert Charles Hewlett Esq.

TOP BATSMAN
Chucky had a great knock for everyone’s favourite ’69’ however, But our serious SAFA scored runs for fun week in week out, so I’m tipping the scales in favour of Gary Fitz Patrick who smashed the ball around to take us over the line.

TOP FIELDER
Mike Sayers took a great catch. Fitz involved early on and you just can’t keep 6 time Rich Fell out of the mix, but after an early error through the legs Tom Davies became a wall and really showed some steel in the field mopping up all that came his way.

RACHEL GORTON’S – POP SCENE
Chauffeuring and chaperoning the Ice Man, Rachel Arrived at the ground looking as lovely as ever, but the Elf ‘IT’ Girl was spicing up the afternoon with a lusty paper back, with extracts read that might have made The Ice Man melt.

Despite the availability of a fine Solihull tea on offer Rachel had a home made salad minus a fork, but it was the gallant Mike Sayers who rounded up some fighting Irons.

DAI WATCH
Great to have Dai & JP at the game for a while. The Father and Son duo scored the game in a complex scoring hut that had pull cords, flip boards and the requirement of a ladder to show the figures!

 

Written by Matthew Wright

 

31st MAY 2015

WHCC v Beaumont CC

Walsall Health beat Beaumont CC by 65 runs

A game of firsts marked by ‘The Elf’ getting back to winning ways bouncing back from a 3 game losing streak.

Rob Hewlitt, captaining a game for the first time, could claim that the first victory of the day was to beat the elements and the match actually going ahead.

Super Andy Gorton visited the ground Sunday Morning to inspect the pitch, and declared it playable, however, on arrival to Aldridge that afternoon, he was soon to learn that he had inspected the top pitch and our match was to take place on the bottom one.

The Skipper lost the toss and we were put in to bat. Which was fortunate as an M6 incident had caused Matt Wright to take a tour of Bloxwich and the surrounding areas in a quest to avoid the grid lock!

Andy Gorton and Ian Chuck opened the batting and they felt their way through some tough conditions. The Gort just beginning to play some formidable shots was unlucky to be caught by their tallest fielder in the right place at the right time, juggling a catching effort, finally gathering it at the third attempt.

Fell came to the middle and put on a magnificent 37 with a well rounded batting display with well crafted shots and smashed boundaries. While Chuck constructed a determined 27 building a platform that we have lacked in previous matches.

Nathan Reeves hit a quick fire six, however, he was not happy with his own performance, and not since Nathan Martin threw his bat in a tree have we seen such petulance and anger after a dismissal hoofing his helmet in a hedge. I’m sure more Mickey taking will be pending on this incident in future weeks.

So the inning was consolidated and an above par total set of 165 with Skipper Rob swashbuckling his way to 49 Not Out while Fitz supported with 20 Not Out. The running between the wickets aggressive and clinical.
Booming boundaries and back to back running 3’s the education professionals taught a lesson in batting.

TEA – WHCC – 165 was set for Beaumont to chase.

Nathan Martin and Tom Davies opened the bowling. And it wasn’t long before the Alice-band wearing bowler bagged his first wicket as a fine edge was taken sharply by Gary Fitzpatrick. Although not amongst the wickets (insert ginger based nickname here) Tom also had an excellent spell. And has been very consistent this season so far.
Nathan added to his wicket tally rinsing and repeating the method.

Fitz also got the most casual of run outs after utter confusion amongst the Beaumont Batsman, Chris Hall with a composed and accurate throw, straight into the gloves of the wicket keep, giving him all the time in the world to remove the bails.

‪#‎SpinToWin‬ may have been seen a few times this season in pre and post game posts and although Wright failed to take a scalp for the first time this season, JP & Ian Chuck would not let the spinners Union down, taking 2 wickets each.
Presenting the skipper with 2 carbon copy catches from Chucky. While The Gort took an amazing full stretch diving catch to his left of The King of Spain’s majestic spinning motion.

Tom Davies sitting in the field for both teams today, brave fielding close and also stopping a key boundary*. With all his effort, fielding for the opposition, umpiring, bowling and fielding for us, he would have been ‘spitting’ mad if we had not won today!

There are something things that you can rely on in life. The sun rises in the morning then sets at night. Water is wet and ice is cold.
And Iron Man, Chris Hall, the premium strike bowler, is going to tie down an end and get the oppositions best batsman. In recent weeks one good display has taken victories away from us and Hall was not in the mood to let that happen again. A sharp head height catch from Matt Wright after Hall’s solid spell sent him on his way.

Nathan Reeves was a pocket Dynamo in the field. High energy and all action, brave and bold. While 6 time! yes 6 time! Fielder of the year Rich Fell was everywhere. And when a spooned shot when vertical, and you hear the cry ‘Rich’s’ then someone is normally walking back to the pavilion. But not today. The moon may have been in the 7th apex and Jupiter rising somewhere over Uranus, but we may see Hayley’s comet before seeing The Elf’s talismanic man in the field drop another catch.

Without the full compliment Beaumont managed 90 runs. So let’s recap our firsts

First game as skipper for Rob
First time a helmet kicked into a hedge
First wickets of the season for Nathan Martin
First time Rich Fell missed a catch
First win in May.

Batting		Runs
Gorton, A	c Johnson b Grainger	8
Chuck, I	c Billed b Harris	27
Reeves, N	b Johnson	6
Fell, R	c Hodson b Hall	37
Hewlitt, R	Not out	49
Fitzpatrick, G	Not out	20
Preece, J	DNB
Hall, C	DNB
Davies, T	DNB
Martin, N	DNB
Wright, M	DNB
Extras		18
Walsall Health		165

Bowling	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Martin, N	6	3	11	2
Davies, T	6	1	21	0
Hall, C	6	0	14	1
Wright, M	3	0	20	0
Chuck, I	4	2	11	2
Preece, J	24	0	5	2
Fell, R	1	0	6	0

 

AOB
Great to see Angharad at the game today. Prepared to play if we were short of numbers and welcome back to the team during your visit from New Zealand.

MAN OF THE MATCH
& TOP BATSMAN
Rob Hewlitt with a real Captains performance 49no. Leading by example in the field after wielding his valerian bat to immense effect!

TOP BOWLER
Hall got the danger man and JP & Chuck weighed in with 2 wickets, but this week Nathan Martin was amazing. The power of the Alice-band was epic!

TOP FIELDER
How can you look past Super Andy Gorton. With a full stretch diving catch The Gort can just do it all! *While for the opposition it was Tom Davies preventing a skipper Dayboo 50 for Rob!

RACHEL GORTON’S – POP SCENE
Pop taste testing was conducted by the beverage beauty, ensuring quality control and the right strength was sent out for the parched participants. While the cold, wind and occasional rain stifled the summer fashion, Rachel has been doing well with a detox program. Further information can be found via her facebook page but worth checking out if you need to get your bikini body ready!

DAI WATCH
On best behaviour with the return of his daughter and a debater whether Mrs Preece would be happy about him having a bag of scratchings. Still frozen in the scoring box, keeping up the Welsh answer to Compo look by wearing odd gloves!

Written by Mathew Wright