Eltham at Last

Prospect Park took to the field with Eltham holding the Indian sign over them after two defeats under their belt already this season, but Skipper Gannon was determined to change things round and started out on the right front by winning the toss and electing to have a bowl on a softish looking pitch. With Craig 'Student Grant' Partridge opening from the Observatory end and Paul Moss opening from the ice cream van end the Park were soon off to a flyer. Craigy Boy bowled Vallis for a duck in his third over, and then did the same to Skipper Wouldham with his very next ball. With the field in for the hat-trick Craig came steaming in and the ball popped up just short of Dad Bill Partridge who, sensing yet another jug to fork out for, was having nothing to do with it. Craig came hurtling in to make a despairing effort to get to the ball but was just short of it. Great effort and Eltham 5 for 2. After a brief recovery by the Eltham batsmen Mossy was to to enjoy a double strike with the score on 27. First getting Fisher to edge to keeper Roger Griffiths, and then Sharp edging to first slip where Jim (I've only had 1 catch all season) Flood had been waiting since Spring and took off to his right and took a brilliant catch one handed. With the score on 40 another two wickets fell, with Mossy getting his third by bowling Bulpitt and Dave Partridge (replacing the University Challenged Craig), getting Power to nick through to the ever reliable Griffiths behind the stumps. At 40 for 6, Skipper Gannon was ecstatic and nearly handed his chocolate bar round the team but thought better of it. Billy Boy Partridge replaced Mossy and was soon into the action himself with Craig holding a nice catch to dismiss Fletcher to have Eltham rocking on 47 for 7. Eltham then understandably dead batted out a lot of overs and Johnny Ling was soon called into the action to break the partnership. The impressively hirsuite Ling did not diappoint and had Hicks trapped LBW in his second over, to leave Eltham on 58 for 8. At this point, the burly no.10 Williamson came out and decided he wasn't having any of this nonsense and set out about the Prospect Park attack, with Lingo in particular suffering. However amongst the mayhem, Dave Partridge kept his head and took the last two wickets with edges through to the superb Roger Griffiths behind the stumps, one particular catch was heading for the third man boundary over first slips head when Roger dived, knocked the ball up and then grasped it to his chest as he fell to the ground. A brilliant effort in the field by all the team , and the skipper enjoyed his baked potato and chicken with Eltham all out for 81.

Roger Griffiths and Alan Horton opened the batting for Park against a formidable attack of Williamson and Aussie paceman Power. Roger took the attack to the bowlers and soon had a collection of great boundarys to his name whilst Al kept him company at the other end. With the openers making no progress, Skipper Colin was forced into the action and to great effect, getting Horton to top edge one which he caught himself. Park 38 for 1. In came Big Jim Flood and he and Roger kept the runs coming with another good parnership, adding 26 runs before Rog was given out LBW for an excellent 37 that had put Park well on the way to victory. Sammy Moss was up at no.4 and looked to get off to a good start when he pushed for a single but he'd misjudged it and was run out for a duck. Park 64 for 3. Marky Mark Thomas came in at no.5 and settled in nicely playing Skipper Wouldham particularly well. With a further ten runs added, Jim edged Power behind to depart for a fine 17 and with the job all but done, in came Skipper Gannon with only eight runs required for victory. When Mark cracked Colin to the boundary for four all that was left was for Gannon to clip Power off his legs to the boundary for the winning runs and a famous victory.

Considering that only 24 hrs before kick off Park had only 8 available players, this was a remarkable victory over a team that have coinsistently beaten us over the past few years. A great display from the bowlers (once again this season) set up the batsmen for a relatively easy total. To add to the good tradition building up between these teams the game was played out in great spirit on both sides, competitive cricket played in a friendly fashion, and thats why we all play the game. Well done both sets of lads and we look forward to renewing the rivalry next season.

Be sure to check out Elthams excellent Web-site run by Skipper Colin Wouldham Eltham CC

A great team performance today with all the bowlers in particular doing great work but an outstanding display behind the stumps and opening the batting see's Roger Griffiths walk away with the title this week.