EMCC Lost
to Kingstonian (A) by 96 Runs
27 th
June 2009
*Kingstonian
196-8, J Khan 47, Baswa 33 – J Yelland 7-1-25-5*
*EMCC
100-9, I Briggs 25, P Pennock 21* – N Khan 6-0-15-3*
Decimated by
a killer combination of Mike's stag-do and a succession of excuses,
seemingly from the entire male population of Christendom, EMCC went
into their tenth clash of the season more in hope of showing pride
in their performance than with genuine hopes of victory number 8.
Thankfully, a full eleven was mustered, with the aid of one
occasional player, two ringers and two useful opposition youngsters
who happened to be hanging out at the ground hoping to get a game!
But it was an unfamiliar batting and bowling line-up.....
The day was
blisteringly hot and 35 overs a-side were agreed for the sake of our
general health. The toss was won by EMCC and skipper for the day
James Yelland decided, despite the heat, that fielding first would
probably make for a longer game. EMCC took the early honours with N
Khan taking an early suicidal single and being run out by debutant
Rob de Souza, quickly followed back to the pavilion by Lazenby who
was fooled by the skipper's trademark wobble and lost his leg-stump.
However, the heat put paid to any long opening spells from Pennock
and Yelland so the ball was tossed to De Souza and Morris. Geoff
kept things tight as ever without any luck but de Souza leaked a few
runs as Sikander and Rist set about creating a platform, scoring 28
and 24 respectively. When Sikander was called through for an
unnecessarily rash single, a combo of Paul Briggs, sharp in the
field all day and debutant keeper Dan Beedell gratefully accepted a
second run out opportunity. However, with extras also being shipped
alarmingly (44 in total eventually); the Kingstonian target was
already looking a tough chase. Our two junior opposition ringers
were given the chance to practice their leg breaks and both showed
admirable quality and control to slow the scoring as the Kingstonian
bats perhaps wondered if they had made a mistake loaning them to us!
However, after Rist had fallen to Mesame Hussaine, J Khan and Baswa
took the run rate forward, taking the game away from EMCC. With 7
overs left to bowl, it was time to return to the regular opening
bowlers and on this occasion, it was the day's skipper who was able
to chip away at the wickets column and as the Kingstonian batsman
tried to score some final quick runs, Yelland was able to take 4
wickets in 3 overs as the batsman played all around a spell of
straight bowling. Three fell clean bowled and one top edged to the
keeper, giving Yelland his first five-for of this season. These
wickets helped keep the total below 200 but it still seemed a
daunting ask from just 35 overs.
The tea
break brought a rain shower which majorly cooled the heat and added
a bit of life to the wicket, which helped Kingstonian get off to a
strong start in the field. Although Matt Yelland came out forcibly,
helping himself to 10 runs from the first over, the bowlers quickly
asserted discipline and control and removed the top three for
minimum damage to the score. This brought the Briggsy brothers to
the crease and they both set about troubling the scorers. Ian
Briggs' eyes lit up, plundering several boundaries and two massive
pulled sixes in a row. However, Briggsy Junior lives by the sword
and dies by the sword and was clean bowled attempting another swipe,
unfortunately off the seventh ball of the over. Paul Briggs stuck
around at the crease, amassing 20 tidy runs but Iman, Beedell and de
Souza all fell cheaply to the dangerous N Khan and then Briggsy
Senior followed them. At this point we were at over 18 and our score
was around 70. It was left to Pennock and Yelland to restore some
pride and make an attempt to push the score up to three figures.
This was achieved as EMCC's opening bowlers loitered at the crease,
frustrating the Kingstonian attack for 15 overs and pushing the
score up to the 90s. The innings had been interrupted already once
by the fairly constant rain and when the skies opened again another
break was taken, although not before Yelland had walked (the EMCC
way) for a catch to the keeper which the umpire hadn't seen. It
looked like the rain had put paid to the game and that an unlikely
draw was on the cards. However, it eased sufficiently to get back on
and Pennock and Morris saw off the remaining deliveries to ensure
although we lost by a large margin, there was at least some reason
for pride in our efforts, Paul Pennock finishing on an excellent
unbeaten 21.