Scorecard

Epping Cricket Club Saturday Third XI v Old Southendians on Sat 10 Jun 2006 at 1.30
Epping Cricket Club Won 8 wickets

Match report On a blisteringly hot summer day the Thirds had a successful trip to the Seaside to take on Old Southendians.

With Mike Edward-Smith pulling out in the morning due to illness, a note from your mother will be required for selection next week. Thanks goes out to Micky Webb who stepped in to bring us up to a ten man team. As it happened we were up against a team that also consisted of only ten men due to people’s football commitments, it’s a good job we don’t suffer that problem in our Club!!!!!!!!

Captain Piller lost the toss AGAIN!!!, and Epping were sent in to the blistering sun to run around for 52 overs, or so they thought!!. Epping’s opening bowlers of Fleming and Preston were thrown the ball to get us underway, and Epping actually got off to a great start by removing bother their openers cheaply thanks to a superb performance from Fleming using the bounce of the wicket backed up by probing Preston. Epping might have struggled to keep the pressure on OS, as has been shown in previous games, but this game was different. Fleming was on fire and Preston bowled a beautiful over to take 2 wickets in two balls to leave him on a hat trick, just to see the third ball drop short of Crone in the slips. With Pallister, O’Connor, Driver, McDonald, Thompson, Sasiadek and Reynolds all back in the pavilion without troubling the scorer too much Epping were forced to make a double bowling changed due the restrictions on overs for colts. Crone and Sanger took over and with Crone taking the wicket of Farrell and OS’s were looking at a very measly total with only one wicket in hand. Epping then let the pressure ease on the OS final pair with Sanger and Webb not posing much of a threat as well as being inconsistent and offering up the odd buffet ball for the batsmen to help themselves Fredgold and Johnson took the score along past the 100 mark and Epping were just waiting until their could unleash their opening bowlers. When Fleming and Preston returned Preston saw Crone unable to get his bearings under a skier coming out of the sun but Fleming finished what he had started with the wicket of Johnson for 18. Fleming finished a superb display of bowling with figures of 6 for 29 and was backed up by the probing and relentless, and at points luckless, Preston with 2 for 29. OS last pair, Fredgold, 47 not out, and Johnson, 18, had shown that scoring was possible on the wicket by getting their team up to 114. Epping knew that they should have been chasing about 40 runs less but must be very pleased with a great display of bowling in hot conditions.

The hard work was over and with only 114 to chase Epping were hoping to seal a well deserved victory, but Epping knew that a good start was vital. The batting order was again drawn out of the hat and this week the lottery winners were Jim Twitchett and Richard Crone. With the ever changing batting line up the bonus ball of the number 3 position was won by Captain Ed Piller. The good start never happened with Crone being adjudged LBW in the first over to Johnson. In came Piller to join Twitchett. Master blaster Twitchett carried on his all too familiar batting prowess and was ably supported by Piller who was showing great stroke play that had not been seen in the past. With both batsman easily dealing with whatever OS bowlers had to throw at them Epping started to settle easily in to the run chase. Twitchett was then caught off the bowling of Farrell for 18 when looking in good form and Hyde strode to the wicket with one thing in his mind. Hyde set about the bowling with aggression and distain and dispatched the ball to the boundary with regular and brutal ease. With Piller getting in on the act too Epping marched to victory with ease with Hyde deciding to finish the game quickly with a flourish of boundaries. Hyde finished on 60 not out and Piller, showing his great technique, on 33 not out.

The Thirds will be pleased to come away with 18 points and also not allow their opponents any but will feel that they should have finished off their opponents sooner and been able to enjoy the Southend sunshine more.

A couple of notes must be made, firstly regarding Steven Fleming’s catching. After noting his excellent catch last Sunday Fleming decided to shell 2 identical chances, although one was a no ball, that he will be very disappointed to have dropped. All I can say is that it was a good job that he never had to take a caught and bowled for his 6 wickets. But well bowled Steve.

Secondly there was a disgraceful rumour that Mr Steven Hyde actually smiled and even said he was happy with what he saw on the pitch. Having spoken to Steve he assures me that he said he was ‘pleased’ and not to get that confused with him being happy!!! Also apparently he never smiled it was just trapped wind!!!

The Thirds have a week off from league cricket but have a friendly arrange against Matthews. Hopefully the good form can be sustained to their next league game.

Epping Cricket Club Saturday Third XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 2 wickets
0
118		        
Richard Crone Lbw  0
Jim Twitchett Caught  18
Ed Piller Not Out  33
Stephen Hyde Not Out  60
Martin Stuckey   2
Ned Piller  
Mick Webb  
John Sanger  
Steve Fleming  
Graham Preston  
A.N. Other  

Old Southendians Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Old Southendians Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 9 wickets
0
114 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Epping Cricket Club Saturday Third XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Steve Fleming9.222964.833.11
Graham Preston9.0129214.503.22
Richard Crone3.0013113.004.33
John Sanger7.003200.004.57
Mick Webb4.001000.002.50