Sunday victory – promotion looms!

Match Report from Joe Smith, skipper.

 
A grey day welcomed us for our Home game vs Eight Ash Green 2nd XI, kicking off a little late (Sorry Lee and Dave…long story!). Earls Colne were put into the field by a young EAG side.
 
Earls Colne started well with Smith removing opener Tim Chambers for 0 and the dangerous looking Nunn lbw for 18.  Ben Mason also got in on the act himself, taking two very well held Caught and Bowled’s, and having the skipper of EAG Brindred caught by Dave at Slip for a Golden.  After Joe dismissed Lovejoy, caught at short Cow by Simon Boulton we reduced EAG to 49 for 7 off 17. A great start; the fielding had been good for the large part, the bowling accurate and spirits were high.
 
However, as in most of these instances, a partnership was formed against the change bowlers – number 8 Jens Wair and Number 9 Charlie Lovejoy scored 33 each, putting on 62 for the 9th wicket, and rebuilding their side’s innings to get to a defendable total of sorts. Frustrated by the lack of wickets Smith bought Dave Brooker into the attack who managed to dismiss Wair for 33, Lee Parish who was unlucky not to pick up a wicket or two ended up with 10-1-27-0. Ben Mason bought on to finish his spell took his 4th wicket. EAG saw out the last few overs to end up on 138-9 off of 45.
 
Bowlers: Joe Smith 10-5-22-3. Ben Mason 10-5-26-4, Lee Parish 10-1-27-0. Simon Boulton 4-0-18-0, Toby Phillips 3-0-12-0, Dave Brooker 6-0-19-1, John Gibson 2-2-0-0
 
Great effort lads, they may have got more than we would have liked, but to dismiss any side out for a sub 150 score on a good batting track is a good effort, good bowling, good fielding all well enjoyed by the team, and we dived into tea and the thought of batting with confidence.
 
It wouldnt be EC, if we didnt set a few nerves jangling, and people’s stomach’s a little uneasy (Captain Smith’s had been on the turn all day). Daryl Sleeman was out trying to hook a short ball and instead hitting it to Mid On for 0, Harry top edged R.Nunn to Fine Leg for just 6 and we were looking a little dicey at 17 for 2.  Like last week Dave Brooker strode to the crease and settled things down, with a combination of good running (with a very bad calf) and some great boundary shots, we slowly built the innings back up. Fred Higgins at the other end supported Dave well, putting away the bad ball, and keeping out the good ones. We got to 79 for 2 off 20, before Dave snicked to Slip for 38. Joss Wilkinson his replacement began well and allowed fred to free his arms, until he was bowled for 28 (very short bowl, went along the ground, Fred stood little chance), which left us at 99 for 4 off 25.
 
Joe joined Joss at the crease, with EAG’s tails up and all the bowlers bowling a very good line and length, Joss couldnt keep the last ball of S.Nunn’s spell out and was bowled for 15. EC 111-5, Lee Parish and his years of experience, helped us edge ever close to 122 for 6, before he was bowled (didnt see it, granted it was very gloomy!).
 
Si Boulton then strode out, knowing EC needed 17 with 9 overs left, luckily for EC, and with a dropped catch and a few aerial shots by Si which went over the top of the fielders, we managed to win the game by 4 wickets, with 9 balls to spare.
 
EC 20 Points, EAG 5 points.
 
Massive Win, and we now are 3rd in Divison 4, its going to go down to the wire…..
 
Below is the League Table for you all to digest…..Its getting, so, so close, if we win our last three games, promotion will be assured, depending on other results, and with a lot of the top 4-5 playing each other, we may only require two.  We play both top teams in those last three games!