Eclipse Printing CC

Scorecard

Rhiwbina v Eclipse Printing CC 1st XI on Thu 31 Jul 2014 at 6pm
Eclipse Printing CC Won by 70 runs

Match report A view from boundary

It was with great delight that I accepted an invitation to join the fine men of Eclipse for their League & Plate game against Rhiwbina, to be played at the picturesque setting of St Fagan’s. Raised eyebrows, a few chuckles and a bit of friendly banter comprised the warm welcome extended to me so I knew instantly it was business as usual.

I understand that, in the words of Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Rhiwbina skipper for the night made a “brave decision” on winning the toss to invite Eclipse to bat. I offered to score but was told that the scorebook had been left behind, a most grievous matter to some I should imagine. Happily, Rhiwbina had their book but the rather excellent and competent manner in which it was kept shall remain among their throng of future generations to look at and admire. However, it also means that my little report here is short of stats, so it is only things I can recall (apologies if anyone feels they should have had a contribution highlighted).

Debutant Chris and Mike then compiled an excellent opening stand, showing respect to the good balls, particularly early on, but ran well to keep the board ticking over and, when the opportunity presented itself, found the gaps or hoisted the ball (a few times in Mike’s case) well over the boundary rope.

The 1st 50 came up in the middle of the 7th over, which was a steady rate, but the next 50 was achieved in rapid time, taking only a further 3 and a bit overs. The Rhiwbina lads showed some excellent fielding and great commitment to get down and behind a ball that threatened, on occasions, to bobble about.

An imposing total looked on the cards but a couple of catches to remove Mike (a lively 60) and Chris (an excellent 51 on debut), and a real swirler that that the fielder made good ground to take off Ali (a sprightly 15) meant a bit of momentum was lost. Though finding the boundary hard to reach, Jamesy and Luke ran excellently to keep things ticking along and the final tally was 166/3.

Mention should also be made of the bag of assorted mints brought by the scorer, which led to all sorts of comments, jokes and such like that had once been the standard currency of school playground joshing long ago – but enough nostalgia.

Nasher and Mr C opened and were tricky to get away, but the Rhiwbina lads showed great judgement of a run and kept things going. However, a smart catch by Jamesy off the Nash set the ball rolling and though the batsmen were always ready to give it a go wickets fell at regular intervals and not a single opportunity for a catch was missed.

The Rhiwbina opener registered a good 50, which included some lovely shots, but the rate kept mounting and eventually they were all out just short of a 100 (I think). Brian had an excellent spell, reeling off 4 on the trot, giving nothing away and picking up wickets, one a great take by the Nash at slip.

Everyone chipped in either with the ball or with some good ground fielding. Mention must be made too of the sterling work down leg (on the odd stray occasion) by Andy C, together with a terrific catch in the gloom from the bowling of debutant Chris. It was remarked that it was not as though he rolled the years but that he pushed the decades to one side.

All in all, a comfortable win played in a nice spirit by both sides. The only downside was with no ducks, no dropped catches, no overthrows and such like the Treasury struggled for the night. Such is life. Thank you for inviting me - arrivederci
“
Cheers
J
Jeremy Sparkes

Eclipse Printing CC 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 4w 4b 4lb 
for 3 wickets
13
166		        
Mike Williams ct M Davies 60 8 2
Chris Hamblin ct M Davies 51 7 1
Alastair Collyer ct M Davies 15 3 1
Luke Bonelle Not Out  18
Mark James Not Out  8 1 1
Andy Campbell  
Brian Condon  
Stephen Parker  
Andy Court   2
Dave Nash   1
A.N. Other  

Rhiwbina Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Rhiwbina Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
2nb 8w 2b 1lb 
for 10 wickets
13
96 (19.2 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Eclipse Printing CC 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Dave Nash4.001929.504.75
Andy Campbell4.0023123.005.75
Brian Condon4.011427.003.50
Stephen Parker4.0026126.006.50
Chris Hamblin2.00632.003.00