Eastchurch Cricket Club

Eastchurch vs Saltwood

Saltwood's bi-annual visit to the Isle of Sheppey ended happily as the Wood secured their fourth league victory in five games, to move into the promotion places. As always the journey to the ground seemed to take longer than the actual game, but the Wood players on arrival were not surprised to see Billy coming back from the middle shaking his head. Is it even worth going out there with a coin anymore?

The Wood were obviously excited by their return to Eastchurch, because as hardened Woodites will know, it is the only club known to offer Karaoke during the tea interval. Rumours abounded that Billy had brought a Tina Turner wig in his bag, and that Gambo might be making an appearance later with Jenny Frost (who of course he allegedly had a one second stand with). The music had already started when the Wood took to the field, with the strains of ‘Hey Mickey' fading as we approached the middle. I guess this must be how 20:20 cricket is played.

On a difficult pitch, the Eastchurch batsmen began cautiously, but Leeds- Tumber secured two important breakthroughs, the second courtesy of a smart Crumbie slip catch. ‘I've never caught one before' chirped Winston. He was as surprised as his teammates. A strong third wicket partnership pushed the initiative back towards the home side, as the Eastchurch batsman scurried through for singles, while the Wood fielders continued to miss the stumps. Duckboy and Paula then claimed a wicket each in successive overs to reduce the home side to 110 for 4. Duckboy's first ball- a full toss that almost cleared the keeper, was marginally worse than Paula's long hop that got hit for four, but both soon found their rhythm and applied the brakes. As Paula prepared to come onto bowl, a Karaoke rendition of ‘It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes' bellowed out. There were a few nervous fielders when Paula took off his cap, but fortunately he stopped there.

The Eastchurch batsmen fought to the end and benefited from a few profitable late overs, although Crumbie and Macca both bowled well at the death. Macca undid most of his good work, by going for nine off his last ball to a 14 (?) year old. He managed to bowl a full toss (no-ball) that was hit fort for four and was then hit through mid on with the extra ball. The young batsman had recovered well after getting a sharp bouncer earlier on. The delivery was greeted with ‘chirp of the day' from Darren Lehmann at mid wicket; ‘Welcome to the Kent Village League, son.'

Unfortunately Billy's rendition of ‘Simply the Best' was not performed during tea, as tea was taken in the pavilion instead this year. The Wood suffered an early setback in their pursuit of 182, as Jon Reene got an unplayable ball that bounced off a length and was caught by second slip diving forward. However, Macca came in and began spanking the ball around, with a series of classy shots. Duckboy joined in and after 6 over the Wood were up to 47. Macca then missed a straight one, but Duckboy continued to put away the bad balls as the Wood raced to 80 inside 15 overs. Just as the Wood were looking completely on top, Duckboy spanked a full toss back to the bowler and when Trevor II fell as well, there was still a lot of work to do. Winston took up the run chase, first with Andy Reene and then with Ninja but when Winston went, and was quickly followed back into the pavilion by Andy Bown, the Wood were struggling at 140 for 7. Ian invariably bats better when there is a bit of a run chase on, and he took a particular liking to the opposition's Gambo, who was hit all around the park during one crucial over. He was ably supported by Adildo, who showed again a tough streak out in the middle, refusing to give his wicket away. Predicatably there was a late panic, when Tumber dollied one up and Ninja very nearly followed suit, but Ninja and Dan ensured the Wood got home with 2 wickets in hand.

Quote of the day from Billy –‘To be honest, I don't need the paperwork.' Billy on the prosepect of another round of correspondence with the KVL disciplinary committee