EMCC steal a win, an unidentified idiot steals our stuff
Date:
8th August 2009
Opponent:
Abdul Aziz XI
Attendance:
2
Result:
Win by 3 wickets
Scores:
AA XI: 86 all out (26.4 overs) Pennock 4-19, Benson 2-7
EMCC 87 for 7 (29.2 overs) S Darke 22, M Johnson 20*
Paul Pennock inspired EMCC's thirteenth win of the season, in a low scoring but gripping encounter in Barnes.
It was the first ever meeting of the two sides, and Pennock claimed the fixtures first wicket as Murphy was smartly caught by Matt Yelland at mid-on. As the unfortunately acronymed AA looked to push their score forward, Pennock struck again, removing fellow opener Wood lbw. When Guktar played a horrible spitting delivery to Paul Briggs at point first ball, Pennock found himself with the possibility of his second hat-trick of the season. Robinson drove powerfully, and Richard Darke put down the difficult chance at silly mid-on. Unfazed however, Paul removed Robinson's middle stump next ball to claim three wickets in four deliveries, and leave AA 31 for 4.
Led by the impressive Syal (30), and with strong support from the skipper Graydon (20*), the opposition worked their way back into the match. Mike Darke deserved more than his 1-20 in an excellent spell, James Yelland produced one of the balls of the season to bowl the dangerous Rowlands, and Tim 'BA' Benson marked his return with two wickets in a flighty three over spell. AA were eventually dismissed for 86.
The low total was soon made to look daunting, as three EMCC wickets fell with just fifteen runs on the board. Richard Darke and Paul Briggs were caught behind off the lively Guktar, while Matt Yelland was deceived by the artful Leonard.
It took a patient knock from Steve Darke to bring EMCC back into the game. His seventy minute innings, with support from Geoff Morris, and the flashing blade of debutant Fraser Skilling saw EMCC past the fifty mark. When Steve was trapped, again by the returning Guktar, he had notched up a quarter of the required runs, but the visitors were still 29 runs shy of victory.
A typically level-headed innings from the skipper Johnson pushed EMCC close to the target, but there were a few hearts in mouths when Mike Darke fell victim to a smart low catch. Paul Pennock however, simply strode to the crease, and dispatched his first two balls over the mid-wicket boundary. A few late singles were scrambled, and EMCC were home with three wickets in hand.
A great match played in excellent spirit, spoiled only by the theft of some items from both changing rooms.
UNINTERESTING FACT OF THE DAY 1:
The last time England lost a home Test Match (South Africa, 2nd August 2008) EMCC also won an away fixture by three wickets. On both occasions, EMCC have handed a debut to a bona-fide northerner (Jez 2008, Fraser 2009) and
Paul Pennock has been at the crease when the winning runs were scored.
see http://cricket.emc.org.uk/Reports/season2008/_Morden-Corinthians2.htm
UNINTERESTING FACT OF THE DAY 2:
Steve Darke's 22 saw him pass 100 runs in a season for the first time in an EMCC shirt. This isn't much of an achievement, but he's happy with it.
It was a slow scoring reply from EMCC, sending Mike Darke off to sleep.
The home team leaving the field, having made EMCC work very hard for the runs and nearly pulling off an improbable victory.
