Match Report - Earls Colne & Bures vs. Chappel 14/08/05

PDQ North Essex Cricket League - Division 2

Earls Colne & Bures  202 (40 overs)

(James Lee 65, Tom Konopka 44)

Chappel  205 for 4 (37 overs)

Chappel won by 6 wickets

Sadly, another defeat for E C & B.

Batting first, E C & B openers James Lee and Chris Ayers rattled the score along nicely fed by some wayward bowling on a slow and soft wicket. The latter's innings came to an abrupt and premature end as he pulled a calf muscle and retired hurt but James and Tom Konopka continued the good work before TK, having played well for 44, spooned an easy catch to cover point. The innings became somewhat becalmed with James falling for a fine 65, as the slow bowlers took control. Chris Chambers bowled, James Bocking caught at long-on and Stonners about as LBW as it is possible to be, low on the back foot and in front of all three stumps! We still don't know how Derrick Messent was out (and nor does he . . . ) and Himesh Patel perished to a fine catch at deep mid-wicket. With Wolfie bowled off his pads, it was left to Peter Shury to tonk a few, taking E C & B to 202 at the close.

A sensational tea followed, featuring spectacular leftovers from a children's party. Wolfie gorged on trifle as only he can, while TK posed in his Beamer looking every inch the monied Brixton boy. Bocco and Himesh feasted as if Armagedon were imminent while the old sages Mr. Slow, CJC and Big Patrick muttered into their mugs of char. Sure Peter and Derrick contemplated the dark skyline and Stonners sat alone, wearing his permanent and contented grin, the sign I suspect of a misspent lifetime, rather than just youth!

 The Chappel reply was efficient. Big Patrick trundled away accurately but with just a single reward for his efforts. Unusually, runs were scored off Peter Shury and again with just a single success. Even Chris Chambers and TK the Polish spiv, yielded runs and it became evident that the E C & B total was going to be difficult to defend. Crucial catches were dropped or fell out of reach, and the E C & B total was overhauled in 37 overs for the loss of just 4 wickets.

This defeat leaves E C & B still bottom of Division 2 and with relegation to division 3 virtually inevitable. PDQ Cars web site and League tables are here

Team - James Lee, Martin Stonley, Tom (TK) Konopka, Himesh Patel, James Bocking, John "Wolfie" Gibson, Christopher Chambers, Peter Shury, Derrick Messent, Chris Ayers, Patrick McKenna.

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