08/05/2010 v. Hailsham (a) Lost by 57 Runs Hailsham 123ao Pev 66ao

Pev start with damp squib

On a cold and showery day Pev opened their 2010 season with a trip to Hailsham, the venue they had started their 2009 season at a year earlier. However, they travelled with several key players missing as both Captains, top four batsmen, and wicketkeeper, were missing. However, with Rob once again being unleashed as Skipper, anything was on the cards. Despite his pre-match nerves, Rob was able to win the toss and invite Hailsham to bat first on the fresh Hailsham surface. After a confident start from the Hailsham batsmen, Skipper Rob Wilkinson and new signing Treloar, both opening their season with some pleasing strokeplay, Rob and Graeme settled into tighter lines and scoring became more difficult. Graeme was particularly hard to play and the luck seemed to be with the batsmen as he repeatedly beat the edge with rasping deliveries- a theme that would continue throughout his match! He drew first blood when Treloar sliced a drive to point and Rob clung on. Ambler came in at 3 and was unsettled by some pacy short pitched bowling from GC, however, he gritted it out as he and Wilkinson put on 50 for the second wicket. Wilkinson crucially being dropped twice behind the stumps. The importance of Wilkinson's determination showed as once Ambler fell for 20, the introduction of Holey finally allowing Ambler to edge a drive which was superbly held by Gav at skip, batsmen struggled to make a mark.  Dawber lasted two balls before cutting Holey to Kudu at point and Scott, lucky not to be bowled first ball, played back and was LBW, giving Holey 3-14 in an excellent display of control. Archy and the Nugget combined to great effect to dry up runs and it wasn't long before Thornhill (11) bowed to the pressure, skying Archy off an attempted drive and being held by Rob in the covers. Slemmings (11) was LBW to the Nugget who like GC regularly beat the batsmen with his fire, Tennant (4) was cleaned up by the returning GC, who also had Hunt (0) well held at second slip by Uphill, before Archy bowled fellow left arm trundler Hugh Thomas  for his third wicket. Hailsham all out for 123 which they'd have been disappointed with having been 79-1 but also more than happy with on a difficult batting pitch. With so many batsmen missing, Pev needed a good start, and when Gav confidently pulled Britton for two fours through square leg in the first over it looked promising. However, his innings was cut short as he was LBW in Britton's following over. Gravy and Uphill took the score to 29-1 but Britton then ripped through Pev with three wickets in two over's as Gravy played a full toss appallingly straight to point, Craig gloved the next ball off his hips to be caught behind, and Uphill chipped a catch to cover. From there batsmen came and went to a mixture of good bowling and poor shots; Kudu (8) was LBW to Scott whose single wicket didn't reflect his persevering lines, GC was cleaned up by Britton for the game's fifth duck and Rob was caught at second slip off Treloar for the sixth. In between Holey was undone by a freak dismissal as Treloar's first ball was cunningly disguised by him throwing himself head first down the wicket distracting the batsman - a new one for the 20/20 speacialists to try! Archy was cleaned up by Treloar for the seventh duck of the game and Nugget was LBW to Tennant as Pev were all out for just 66, a fairly paltry effort in difficult conditions. A poor start to the season as Pev were humbled by the Hailsham bowling, however the credit should go to Hailsham Skipper Wilkinson who batted single-handedly for almost as long as the entire Pev side and put his side into the position to win. On the plus side the Pev bowling looks encouraging and GC surely can't be that unlucky again!

15/05/2010 v. Eastbourne 3rd XI (h) Won by 9 Wickets E/B 92ao Pev 95-1

Corb-IX-ley!!!

Following last weeks thumping at Hailsham, Pev welcomed back Plum and Pedro for their first home game of the season. With both Skippers still absent, Rob again took up the reins and again won the toss.  The strong bowling line up again took the field and Graeme and Nugget charged in with relish.  GC was first to strike as a ball that kept low pinned Mansell on the back foot and he was LBW for 1. Fellow opener Mashood attacked from the offset but both he and Skipper Isepp struggled against the Nugget and were very lucky to survive several thick edges against him. However, both counter attacked well when the opportunity arose and the pair brought up the 50 partnership in quick time. The fiery Nugget had to be withdrawn after tweaking a muscle and Rob came into the attack. Isepp survived two edges straight through first slip off Rob but in between struck him for a huge six over long on.  With their attacking mindset, the score reached 64-1 before Pev struck again.  The dangerous Isepp took on GC's short ball but could only top edge it and the Skipper clung on over his shoulder running back from mid on. With this wicket GC found a new leash of life and Mashood followed in GC's next over when he was cleaned up with no addition to the scoreboard. With both attacking batsmen gone, the runs began to dry up. This was all backed up by some of the best Pev ground fielding seen in recent years as players threw themselves around for the cause.  While Rob tied up one end, beating the bat regularly, wickets tumbled from the Railway End as GC maintained his pace and accuracy with stunning effect. Marshall (0), Foulds (5), and Dallaway (0) were all cleaned up, Sawyer (4) was held by Pedro for a regulation edge and T-Fisher (0) became Uphill's second smart slip catch in two weeks-this time a sharp low pick up.  At this point GC's figures had gone from 1-19 off 8 overs to 8-27 off 14! Eastbourne had slid from 64-1 to 84-8. GC was denied his chance for ten as a suicidal single to try and retain strike only led to Rob running out Widdows, and the very first ball of the next over, GC completed his 9fer when Lynch (18) edged to Pedro. This left GC with the amazing figures of 15.1-4-28-9, a new club record bowling performance! Eastbourne were all out for 92, losing 9 wickets for only 28 runs. However, with key batsmen still missing, Pev knew the game was far from over. The meaty duo of Plum and Gravy opened up and after a steady start found their rhythm as the score reached 44-0 in the 12 overs before tea, Plum leading the way with some hard hitting down the ground. Tea was an imaginarium of Doctor Corbishley as his extrovert personality tumbled into a feast of exotic delights. The particular highlights being home made soda bread and glazed doughnuts.  With key batsmen still missing, Pev knew the game was far from over. Plum began to open up his shoulders with some hefty straight hitting, before he was bowled by T-Fisher with one that nipped back. Uphill entered the fray and his twitchy style hardly eased the nerves, but he opened up with some splendid hitting, targeting mid-wicket as he heaved Isepp across the line. With the end in sight he danced down the wicket to put Mansell back over his head for six before sealing the match in style with another smite through cow.  Thirty points for Pev and an important first win of the season. Departing Skipper Rob couldn't have been happier as he stepped down from his temporary position at the helm and in between sobs was heard to say, "Thank the Lord for Graeme Corbishley. Just as well the captain didn't take him off as planned".

22/05/2010 v. Newhaven (a) Won by 5 Wickets Newhaven 134ao Pev 135-5

Uphill Struggle

On the first Sun basked day of the summer Pev made the journey to Newhaven. They welcomed back Skipper Jim Wallis to the side and also included two 1st XI debutants, Chris Dyer and Jon Holmes. Jim won the toss and invited Newhaven to bat. With the Nugget out injured, there was even more onus on last week's match-winner, the Grazer, and he didn't disappoint as his new ball spell saw him trim Gomm's (4) bail, clean up Barden (2) with a quick yorker, and pin Khan (5) LBW, as Newhaven stuttered to 55-3. While all this happened at the other end, Newhaven Skipper Tullett batted serenely as he waited for and punished the bad ball. He was almost solely responsible for Newhaven's runs in the early stages and brought up a class fifty, ironically with his only streaky shot - an inside edge to fine leg. However, the introduction of Holey and Archy dried up the runs as Drury in particular struggled with Archy's flight. Holey then claimed the prize scalp of Tullett (61) as he clung on to a sharp caught and bowled. He followed this up by having a second Tullett (5) caught behind by Pedro. Archy was unlucky not to put Drury out of his misery as a vociferous LBW shout was turned down and Archy spilt a tough caught and bowled This cost Pev some runs as he finally connected with some big hits. However, the Spanish Archer had his revenge as he managed to snaffle the easier caught and bowled and finally send Drury on his way for 29. Grazer was reintroduced and had the big-hitting Young caught with his first ball as he skied an optimistic big drive to mid-on where Rob made no mistake. Grazer then picked up his 17th wicket in 3 games as he proved too quick for Pryer (6). Rob then returned to the fray and cleaned up Pollard (9) and the third Tullett (2) to leave Newhaven all out for 134. After tea, the Skipper and Plum opened up and were quickly into their stride. With the Newhaven appealing particularly vocal, both batsmen "survived" 86 LBW appeals, but were still there to punish the bad ball. It was against the run of play when Jim (9) was first out, edging Pryer behind to the keeper and Plum (24) followed shortly in the same manner, perhaps a victim of his own humour. Despite having been on top for so long, when Gravy (6) top-edged a pull straight to fine leg Pev were 43 -3 and a little wobbly. However, with Chris "Stonewall" Dyer secure at one end, Uphill Dave took the attack to Newhaven with excellent effect. His attacking mindset and gay abandonment knocked the bowlers off their lines and lengths and he stroked the ball to all parts of the ground at a run a ball. He was unlucky to miss out on a fifty as a scorer miscount led to some impromptu applause, and perhaps this break in concentration cost him as on 46 a sweetly struck smote to leg only succeeded in picking out the cow corner fielder who took it well. Diggler was out very soon after for 0 as he chipped a caught and bowled back to Young, but by this stage Stonewall had found his range and a change of bat, contrary to the excitable Newhaven fan's opinion, proved more profitable as his final twenty runs came in only ten balls and along with Pedro he sealed the win with a brace of sweetly struck boundaries. The first being perhaps the shot of the day as a straight drive whistled past the bowler with fantastic timing. Another crucial thirty points secured and a great team effort. 

29/05/2010 v. St Peters (h) Won by 5 Wickets S.P. 104ao Pev 105-5

Spin It To Win It!

Cold, windy, wet, misty, dank, lank - nothing like cricket in May, as St. Peters provided decent but inexperienced opposition. The rain inevitably delayed the start, so an early tea left the players as slow as the outfield. After several thumbings of the league manual, a 41 vs 34 overs game was decided upon, and Pev followed their successful formula and bowled first. Holey crawled out of hibernation to open the bowling, taking 2 good wickets early on before retiring to his thermal underwears, and St. Peters never really got into their stride. A. Coomber at 3 looked to have big shots to play all day, but the right man for the pitch Martin "insert comedy nicknames here" Archer gutted the middle order with a debut 1st team 5-22, bowling with a controlled mixture of flight, loop, air, spin, grip, Bashful and Doc. Once again the fielding played it's part, with 8 catches being clutched to 16 bellies as Pev stuck to their soggy task, bowling St. Peters out for just 104 from 28.1 overs.

In reply the St. Peters bowlers moved the ball around corners, but Plumley and Temple had a miraculously mature approach, and when the right ball came, got on with the business. Their 49 for the first wicket in trying conditions took the wind out of the oppo's sails giving us the platform we needed. Temple went for 26, Plum for 41, and though a few more followed, Wallis stayed firm for 11*, and Hole, almost spherical in his thermals, saw us home by 5 wickets off 27.1 overs. So after 4 games, we're the only team to have taken all 40 wickets and are top of the league, but having played three of the bottom four, the big boys cricket starts now.

05/06/2010 v. Rye (a) Lost by 1 Wicket Pev 138ao Rye 139-9

12/06/2010 v. Willingdon (h) Lost by 83 Runs W'don 211-8 Pev 128ao

Don Like A Kipper

On the day England kicked off their World Cup Bid, Pev welcomed Willingdon to the Rec. The Dons were boosted by the availability of most of their hooligans who were unable to travel to South Africa having had had their passports seized in dawn raids the week before, while Pev were again missing their vice-skipper and Uphill. Jim won the toss and elected to bowl on a moist pitch, however, Graeme and Nugget opened up in a disappointing manner and the Dons openers cashed in. Garnett looked classy as he drove and pulled with time to spare and Trewin was his usual hard hitting self. The pair raced to without loss but a double change began to claw the game back as Holey and Rob's lesser pace proved more difficult to get away. Trewin (29) was first to fall as he drove holey to Plum and having waited so long for a wicket, the second came very quickly as Cleary edged his second ball to Gravy at slip for a duck. The third wicket should have fallen in the very next over but Graeme misjudged Garnett's mis-hit drive at mid-off. Fortunately, this didn't prove costly as having switched ends with the drop, Garnett (40) was out to the very next ball as the Nugget clung on to a top-edge swirler to give Holey his third wicket and reduce the Dons from 67-0 to 70-3. With the momentum changing and pressure building, D Lindop and Skipper Ashford had to consolidate. Their cause was helped by some dreadful Pev fielding and catching as the worst performance in the field so far this season threw away the pressure built by the bowlers. Lindop was dropped at least sixteen times as his anxiousness to be out in time for the football affected his concentration. Chris Dyer was introduced for his first over for the 1st Xi and it could have been his last as the ball pitched all over the place. However, he persevered and Ashford (31) was eventually clung on to by Gravy at slip and Lindop was finally put out of his misery as he finally middled a ball, straight to Gav in the covers for a hard-fought 33. Taff came and went for 10 as Rob was finally rewarded in his fourteenth over of beating the bat and like buses, the seond came quickly as Collins was stumped for a duck. Sharma hit some lusty blows before his Strictly audition saw him pinned LBW to give Rob his third. However, 211-8 declared was the highest total conceded this season and a stiff target. The Dons opened with the old ball and spin twins, Sharma and Craven. Plum opened his account with a straight six but was then bowled as he managed to drag on a leg side full toss with his pad! Gravy and Gav played some pleasing shots but seemed eager to race each other to a dismissal and both were dismissed by Craven with poor strokes to leave Pev 38-3. This went from bad to worse as the new ball was taken and star bowler, Duncan Ford came charging in. He bowled Chris Dyer with his very first ball for 1 and had Louis LBW next ball as Pev slipped further to 50-5. Jim batted serenely and looked untroubled as he reached 15 but was undone by a ball which skidded along the deck to bowl him. Pedro and Holey offered late resistance with a hard hitting partnership of 40 to at least take the score above 100, but Holey (23), GC (2) and the Nugget (0) fell in quick succession and Pedro, who battled valiantly for 38 (the second highest score of the game!), was last out as Pev crumpled to 128 and a heavy defeat.

19/06/2010 v. Plumpton & EC (a) Won by 3 Wickets Plumpton 164-7 Pev 165-7

Aaaaahhhhh, Gravy.

On a blustery day, Pev travelled to Plumpton anxious to end their run of defeats. With the Skipper a late withdrawal and Gravy a late addition, Plum stepped up to Captain and made his first good decision of the day by winning the toss. Graeme and the Nugget took the new ball and unlike previous weeks hit the ground, and unusually the actual pitch, running. On a pitch offering encouragement to bowlers bending their backs, Nugget struck in his first over as he cleaned up Plumpton Skipper Wycherley for a duck with a quick yorker. It took Graeme until his second over to strike as Brackpool edged behind and eventually departed for another duck. When the Nugget cleaned up Martin for the third duck of the innings Plumpton were 17-3. Martin number two played some classy strokes on his way to 41 with some particularly authorative and eye-pleasing pull shots. However, his strength was to be his downfall as a sharp GC bouncer was edged onto his helmet and looped to Uphill at gully, leaving Plumpton 45-4. With the fast men tiring, Holey and Rob took over the attack and were both beating the bat with absurd regularity. Sheldrick was somehow dropped by Gravy with the rest of the side already celebrating and Wells was dropped behind off a tough chance by Pedro and both made the most of this good fortune as they took the score to 105-4. Rob finally getting the breakthrough as Sheldrick played on for 26. However, this only seemed to spark Wells into life and he took 12 off Rob's next over with some excellent high elbow straight driving. GC was reintrouduced into the attack and cleaned up Newsome (11) and Batchelor (0), but Wells kept going and with some hard running at the end finished on a fine 62* as Plumpton finished 50 overs on 164-7, a recovery to be proud of. GC finishing with 4-54 and the Nugget 2-22 in his earlier fiery spell where he frequently beat the batsmen for pace. In a week where the benefit of teas has been called into question, the Plumpton banquet gained numerous votes for the Pro-tea party. With a variety of fresh and tasty sandwiches, optional lashings of horseradish and DIY scones, it was only a disappointment that the cricket had to start again! Plumpton opened with the old ball and two spinners and caused Uphill and Plum numerous problems. Neither could handle the pressure building up; Uphill was first to perish, slicing a drive off Ward for 0, and Plum soon followed, cleaned up by Edmunds for 5. Ward was particularly hard to play and can consider himself unlucky in claiming a solitary scalp. When Dyer (6) and Holmes (4) both fell to poor shots off Edmunds, Pev were 53-4 with only the much maligned Gravy left of the "batsmen". Pedro joined Gravy at the crease and slowly took the initiative back with some hard running and solid defence. As Gravy found his feet the occasional boundary was found but it wasn't until the new ball was taken and seam was introduced that a serious challenge was mounted. Freeman's first over went for 18 as he struggled to find a length and these three boundaries, including two fantastic pull shots, launched Gravy into his stride. He counter attacked with panache and he brought up his fifty with another boundary. He and Pedro put on 70 for the fifth wicket before the reintroduction of Ward brought about Pedro's dismissal as he edged to slip for a hard fought 23. With 42 still needed the match was poised but old hand Rod Hole steadied the ship with a run a ball 17, including the game's only six, a hard hit smash straight back over Ward's head, as another 20 runs were added. When Holey was cleaned up and Gravy soon followed for a 1^st XI best of 80 including fourteen fours, the side's first fifty of the season, nerves were frayed as another dozed runs were needed, however, GC and the Bull both heaved boundaries off Edmunds to seal the victory and the vuvuzelas could finally explode into life! A great game and a hard fought victory from a side not renowned for their ability to chase targets. The vuvuzela's would ring out down the A27 for victory!

26/06/2010 v. Crowborough (h) Lost by 54 Runs C'B 226-8 Pev 172ao

Pev Wilt As Crowborough Remain Cool In Sun

On the first super hot Saturday of the summer, Pev welcomed Crowborough to the Rec. Pev were without Captain and Vice as well as the Hole, who was making his annual pilgrimage abroad, compulsory for members of the extended Royal family. Acting Skipper Plum won the toss and as per usual opted to bowl - a popular choice, for the batsmen! GC and the Nugget opened strongly though and GC drew first blood when Roxburgh (1) edged behind. Skinner and Millman consolidated and then began to attack as the bowlers tired in the heat and loose balls were offered. With the Skipper reluctant to defend, the batsmen dealt mainly in dots or boundaries and allowed the fielders to do the running (fetching). The pair put on 98 before Millman was LBW to Archy as he played back to a straight one for 40. Skinner reached his fifty and looked set to have smashed Archy out the attack before he was bowled attempting another big hit for 62. With Crowborough 119-3 the match was poised, however Turner and Easton turned it Crowborough's way with a string of hard hit blows. Turner looked to hit straight, whereas Easton looked to heave everything over leg. With the pitch offering nothing to the bowlers both men trusted their eyes and their bottom hands and it paid off. They took the score to 167 before Turner (26) fell LBW to GC and Easton (36) was less traditionally pinned LBW by Rob as he unsuccessfully tried to reverse sweep. When Callingham (9) was cleaned up by GC Crowborough had slipped to 187-6 and Pev scented a lower total than feared. However, quick contributions from all the Crowborough lower order ensured it would be that bad! GC finished with a pokey five-for as batsmen played shots, but Rob can consider himself unlucky that he only picked up one wicket (and heat stroke) in a tireless 20 over spell in the sun. Tea was from the Captain's missus and she didn't let him down. With enough food to feed a small army of Plumley's, just a small one mind, well maybe just a squadron, well probably just two as they are big boys… Sufficed to say lots of lovely sandwiches. Along with home-made sausage rolls and scotch egg, and more fruit than an episode of Carry On, ooooh, it was like a heavenly picnic.  Pev got off to a poor start with the bat as Gav was caught behind in the second over, but Plum looked in great touch as he hit two fours in Hall's first two over's, smiting him out of the attack. With the in-form Gravy at the other end the score raced to 87 at over 6 an over and things looked good. However, with the first ball after drinks, the introduction of Skinner paid dividends as Plum was disappointingly LBW for a very hard hit 40. A physically struggling Uphill (6) followed soon after as he dabbed to slip to give Skinner his second wicket. Gravy took the game to Crowborough and followed his maiden fifty last week, with a second successive one. However, after he edged Parker behind for 56, the rest of the batting folded. Chris D (8) was cleaned up trying to hit out, Louis (16) was caught after some eye-pleasing strokes, GC (5) was bowled missing a pull, and the Nugget was yorked after the excitement of getting on the sixes board with a monster blow, all were dismissed by Foskett as he finished with a fine 5-46. Last man Archy was able to steal another batting point with an immense study of concentration, class, poise, and power, as he cut and hooked with authority and disdain on his way to 9*, many wondering whether his introduction earlier in the run chase could have in fact stolen the game from Crowborough's grasp…. However, down the other end Rob was pinned LBW by Parker to secure the win and 30 points for Crowborough.

03/07/2010 v. Buxted Park (h) Match Drawn BP 234-8 dec Pev 143-7 

Batsmen Stuffed by Olive

On another sweltering day, Pev welcomed third placed to the Rec. They welcomed back Skipper James Wallis and Parisian adventurer Holey, but were missing Uphill and Chris D. Losing the toss, Pev were invited to bowl. Despite being inhibited by the inconsistent turf, the Nugget cranked up the gears as he continued his return to top form. However, Raymond in particular countered well and it was not until the tenth over that Nugget made the breakthrough as Ferns edged behind. Burgess joined Raymond at the crease and a period of consolidation followed until the bowlers were changed and the batsmen made hay while the sun shone! Archie and Holey replaced the tiring gingers and their first three overs were smote for 38 runs as Raymond laid into Archie with a six (two and four overthrows off a horrid smear….) and then five fours in an over (much better), bringing up his fifty in the process, and Burgess put Holey's first two balls into the field with gloriously easy straight drives. Suddenly Buxted were 100-1 and cruising. However, Le Homme of the moment Holey redeemed his poor start as Raymond (54) played one loose drive too many and was held at mid-off and then Olive came and went without scoring, courtesy of a Pedro leg-side stumping special, to leave Buxted 100-3. Burgess remained solid and continued to lay into Holey as he added a third big straight six to his five fours and it was a shock when out of the blue he missed a straight ball from Archie and was bowled for 58. (15) followed soon after as Rob's accuracy and perseverance paid off in a sapping 14 over spell and he was LBW missing a shovel to leg to leave the match poised at 149-5. However, for the second week running the fielding let Pev down as around thirty runs were gifted to the Buxted cause by sloppy and tired fielding efforts and the pressure built by the bowlers tireless efforts was allowed to slip from their grasps. Rutheen (17) and Miles (36*) batted sensibly and ran hard before Rutheen was bowled by Rob and Coddington (8) was bowled by GC swinging for late runs. It was left to C Olive to apply the coup de grace with a brutal 18 off 8 balls including two sweetly struck sixes off GC as Buxted declared with one allotted over left at 234-8 and Pev dragged themselves from the field. Tea was an enchantment of home-made cakes and fresh sandwich fillings. Of particular note was the patented Lewis egg filling, slightly curried and splendid on the palette. Plum opened up the innings with a couple of boundaries, but this was to be a weak jab in a heavyweight contest as C Olive tore into the Pev batting line up. Bowling with real pace and accuracy and achieving bounce and movement off the track, Olive bowled one of the best spells seen at the Rec for many a moon. He cleaned up (11), Gravy (0), Craig (5) and Louis (0) in a spell which was hostile both physically and verbally and was only halted by his over restrictions. Having left Pev reeling at 30-4, the change bowlers were not able to have the same impact and James and Holey were able to play themselves in. The pair put on 81 in the non-Olive overs but the run rate was never going to trouble the Buxted score as they fielded excellently. The Skipper reached 52 with some classy driving and pulling before Olive returned and had him playing on to end the partnership. Corbishley (5) became the only batsmen not to fall to Olive as he slapped a rank full bunger from Coddington straight to mid-on, and Pedro (0), struggling with an injured finger, became Olive's sixth victim as he edged behind. However, by this stage Holey was going great guns and brought up his fifty in style with a scorching six back over Olive's head. He and Rob saw out the remaining overs as a tame run chase came to an end. Pev's first draw of the season and another disappointing display as Pev were again frustratingly poor in the field to concede the initiative at crucial times.

10/07/2010 v. Eastbourne 3rd XI (a) Won by 8 Wickets E/B 159 ao Pev 160-2

Out With The Old...

With a selectorial attitude towards the elderly or infirm that would've made Harold Shipman blush, Pev 1's took to the field with their youngest team since the Under 5's were disbanded in 1902. Fielding first for the 12th time in 10 games under a sun hotter than a Tennessee Williams novella, Nugget and GC found little in the pitch, so the slower, wilier skills of 1st team debutant Rob Dyer, and token geriatric Bill Filby were needed to curb Eastbourne 3's's's elderly watchful top order. Despite being 130-4 at one stage, the youthful fielding policy paid massive dividends as runs were kept down, and canny bowling put the pressure on the younger lower order, as they capitulated somewhat. The last 6 wickets fell for just 29 runs, including a catch at first slip by Dave Temple that was so good, it actually deserves proper credit. Bravo. GC ended with 3fer, Rob 2fer, and Bill added another 5 wickets to his overall tally on Larkins Field, to take his grand total to 5. 
ECCC3's ao for 159 from 43.2 overs.

In reply, makeshift opener Frodo Temple hit two glorious 6's in an otherwise awful knock of 23, before grumpy old contingent John Plumley, and bombastic run machine Martyn Tideswell put together 90 runs against a earnest but unpentrative attack. Plum went to a thumpy 50 containing 8 boundaries and several long faces, before being run out, called back and then bowled in a mad 5 minutes, leaving it to Craig Hornby to bustle us home with a quick 14*. Gravy scored his 3rd 50 in 4 innings, ending on 56*, whilst everyone else sat in the shade, drank fizzy pop, and stayed up well past their bedtimes. Pev 160-2 from 30.3 overs
So, 30 points, hooray for kids and who wants a lollipop? - The second half of the season has started well, putting our just-pipped-at-the-promotional-post bid firmly back on track. Now who had Spain in the sweepstake?