Match Report - Earls Colne & Bures vs. Abberton 11/07/04

(PDQ Cars - Division 3 match)

E C & Bures 269 for 3 (45 overs)

(David Coyle 107, Kevin Coyle 100 not out)

Bures 152 all out (43.1 overs)

Result - Win for E C & Bures by 117 runs

Another comprehensive victory for E C & B on an excellent batting wicket with a fast outfield at Abberton. E C & B captain Will Amos called correctly with the coin for once and invited the home side to toil in the field for nearly three hours! Although Amos and James Lee were dismissed cheaply to give the Abberton bowlers some hope, the game was put beyond them by brothers David and Kevin Coyle who scored centuries apiece, the latter making his first ton in senior cricket, indeed his first senior half-ton as well! He could not have done it in better style, with his score standing at 94 with just one ball of the game to play, a delivery which was smacked high over long-on to give young Kev his maiden ton. A fine effort on the part of both batters, doubtlessly revelling in the season's debut of father Danny in the side (and a wily old fox he proved to be with the ball ..........).

A fine tea was much enjoyed by all with particularly noteworthy lemon cheesecake perhaps the highlight.  The stage was set for Mr. Slow who trundled away from the Mersea end with his full range of variously flighted deliveries, while David Coyle was at his most miserly at the other. At 19 for 4 off 8 overs, Abberton were never going to threaten the E C & B total and settled instead for batting for bonus points. Mark Harries scurried around on the boundary between third man and fine leg and impressed with his tireless running and strong throw. The young change bowlers Kieron Webb and James Bocking kept the pressure up and a fine catch in the deep for Phil Frances made it a good day for the youngsters. Henry Pilgrim briefly entertained with a flurry of wides which caused much mirth, but then settled into a line and length which allowed the scorer to cool down again. Danny Coyle quickly made his intentions known by trying to bowl even slower than Mr. Slow himself. Feeling threatened, Mr. Slow dropped a pair of easy catches off Danny's bowling (to add to the one he dropped off his own bowling), thus ensuring that 4 for became 2 for, as far as Danny was concerned.

As the game fizzled out the Abberton tail wagged with some robust hitting. Abberton closed on 152 all out with all of the bowlers sharing wickets. The excellent inaugural season for Earls Colne & Bures rolls on, but doubtlessly with fresh challenges ahead in the second half of the season. E C & B remain top of division 3 of the PDQ Cars league. League tables and results are here.

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