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A disappointing
defeat for E C & B in a tense top-of-the-table clash at
Chelmsford. The Galleywood total of 202 proved just a bridge too
far for Earls Colne and Bures, whose innings became fatally
becalmed at critical points.
On an
unseasonally hot day, Galleywood were pleased to win the toss
and elect to bat, consigning E C & B to 2½ hours fielding
in a furnace. Despite the early departure of Marlow the
Galleywood skipper, fellow opener Dupree was quickly into his
stride, smiting successive sixes into Slades Lane which prompted
a serious bout of ball-searching on the part of the E C & B
fielders. Not only were the players unsuccessful in this search
necessitating the provision of a replacement ball, but we were
also treated to the spectacle of Coyley wading ankle-deep in mud
in the roadside ditch, much to his (typically vocal) ire. Lazy
emerged from the undergrowth triumphant, though not with the
ball, but something of a rather more adult nature and an adult
video nature at that. One can only guess at how such an item
came to be there but needless to say it promised to bring a new
meaning to the term "ball-searching"! Meanwhile Mr.
Dupree continued his destruction of the E C & B bowling
attack with only Coyley managing to apply the brakes, although
not without a play-and-miss or three at not-so-evergreen bowler
Oakers, complete with walking stick and zimmer frame and making
a guest appearance on behalf of the Osteopathy and
Physiotherapist's eleven. The amiable Mr. Dupree (of whom we
were by now sick of the sight of .......) reached a well
deserved ton, ably assisted by South African player Nel who
tonked an accomplished 30 before being caught by a relieved Mr.
Slow, basting at point. Galleywood closed at 202 for 5 off their
45 overs, perhaps 20 short of par and not considered a difficult
target by E C & B as they enjoyed their tea and eyed the
short boundaries.
In reply and
after a short period of circumspection, E C & B made a good
start with 52 runs scored off the first 9 overs. But with the
run out of Will Amos following a dreadful mix-up, the scoring
dried up somewhat with only 20 runs scored off the next 10
overs. Undeterred, Coyley and Lazy continued to accumulate
steadily rather than spectacularly until the departure of both
batters in the 32nd and 35th over respectively. Unfortunately,
rather than the required acceleration in the run rate, a flurry
of wickets put an abrupt halt to the chase, with Adam Polley,
Kevin Coyle, Nick Oakley and Chris Crace all departing cheaply.
There was brief hope with Nick Leppard and Glenda Lesiak at the
crease but the task had become too difficult, with almost ten
runs per over required. In the final few overs, the players were
treated to the comical spectacle of Glenda batting in tandem
with Mr. Slow, comfortably the quickest and slowest runners in
the team respectively. Innings closed at 185 for 9, with Mr.
Slow exhibiting the visual characteristics of a beetroot.
Long faces all
round in the E C & B camp, who had hoped to seal their
promotion with a victory in this game. It will have to wait
until next week! Mr. Slow emerged from a 20 minute rest in the
Galleywood Cricket Club freezer to embark on an in-depth
discussion with Wolfie about the day's bonus points haul,
followed by a heartfelt mutual contemplation of the
incompatibility between advancing age and playing cricket
generally. Cracey sat alone with his head in his hands having
limited his consumption of beer to just five meagre pints, but
brightened up when Mr. Slow offered to take him to the pub.
Lazy, looking thin and gaunt, took defeat badly but managed a
smile when reminded of the extra item from the ditch (dirty,
perhaps in more ways than one) which he would be taking home in
his kit bag.
E C & B are
no longer top of division 3, but second (by a whisker). We live
to fight another day! League table is HERE
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