ECC 1st XI vs Clymping CC, 1st XI

The rain stayed away from the gate on Saturday after what looked to be a certain wash out. One change to the team this week with the skipper Andy returning to the side with Dan being unavailable. Andy won the toss again and elected to field on a green and damp wicket.

Usual openers Henry and Josh got us started both bowling well against the Clymping openers. Then Josh got the break through with an absolute Jaffa to the Clymping number 2. Craig then replaced Henry from the road end of the ground and was looking to replicate what he did last week. Craig picked up a wicket bowled after his very economical overs. Harvey partnered Craig at the other end both of these two bowled well through the middle overs restricting the Clymping batters. Jamie had a change of ends this week and bowled from the bottom end but it didn’t prevent him from getting a wicket and breaking a key partnership that was building. This wicket was caught well by Liam at long on. Brad then bowled a couple of overs then Josh and Henry came back on at the death. Clymping piled in the runs in the last 6 overs but on the last delivery of their innings Josh bowled the oppositions number 5. As Clymping finished 226-4 after their 40 overs. Also special mention to the Clymping number 4 Daniel White who got 93*.

Onto the batting and Andy opened himself along with Liam. The skipper made a fast 21 before being caught behind. Brad then came to the crease but shortly departed for 4 being caught at mid off. Henry joined Liam at the crease looking to rebuild before Liam got caught at square leg for 21. Joey then joined Henry for a short stint at the crease after he was caught for 2. Curt then accompanied Henry in the middle and was once again caught for 6. Aaron then went to the middle and stuck around with Henry before being caught again for 12. Harvey and Henry then put on a good partnership to rebuild. Henry then brought up his 50 which was a crucial knock in order for us to try and win this game. Henry was then bowled for 55 and Craig joined harvey in the middle. Harvey was then caught very well for an important 24. Jamie was then welcomed by Craig at the crease. Craig replicated his batting innings from last week as he hit a six and then got out to a very good catch on the boundary for 11. Josh and Jamie were now in the middle needing 28 off 3.4 overs. Both of them batted well together and the gate needed 11 off the last over to continue their unbeaten streak. Jamie took a single off the first ball, then there was a dot, then Josh got 2 and this is where the drama happened. Josh hit a 4 and Clymping has too many men outside of the 30 yard fielding circle therefore a no ball was given. Now 3 was needed off 3 balls. Josh missed out on the free hit and no runs were scored off it, then the bowler bowled a wide and the boys ran a single. 1 to win off 2 balls and Jamie done it in style with hitting a big 6 over the houses and into the road to win the game for the gate. Jamie finished 29* off 24 balls and Josh 17* off 13 balls.

Overall good game of cricket was played by both teams and it means that every senior team in the club are unbeaten in competitive games this season.

Special Mentions: Liam 21 & good catch, Andy 21, Henry good opening spell and 55, Harvey 24, Craig 1-20 off 8 overs, Jamie 29 not out & 1-29 and Josh 17 not out & 2-58

The boys are away next weekend to Steyning 2nd XI looking to continue their good form.

#UPTHEGATE