Eastons CC. Eastons CC.
Match Report Date 16/08/26 Oppo Eastons CC (a) Type 35 overs Report by Clapton Jr. Following on from last weeks victory the O’s travelled out to Little Easton not far from the UKs 6th most popular airport; Stansted to face (you guessed it) Eastons CC. JBM was skipper again in Richardson’s absence meaning the toss was guaranteed to be lost. The O’s arrived slowly in dribs and drabs and at one stage it looked like there would be two Claptons batting in the top 5 which would've been a disaster . All the O’s finally arrived 5 minutes before the start of play, opening the batting was ABM - fresh off 90 mins again that morning, as well as the disappointment of failing the half time crossbar challenge the day before (“The balls were too light”) and Edgy fresh off a duck the day before, it was safe to say both of them could do with a score today. A young Freddie Flintoff appeared to be opening the bowling, hammering away at a good length - ABM then gloved one that took off from a length to the keeper for 4 bringing JBM to the crease. Looking at the pitch you’d have thought that it was a section of the M25 but it was more like the WACA with trampoline bounce making it tough for Edgy and JBM but the boys cashed in once they’d seen off the openers. The two of them reached 50 with the skipper hitting 3 6's in a row off some real buffet bowling (proper right arm help yourself stuff) including one into someone's garden. Edgy also hit his fair share of well timed boundaries and copped one on the finger before being stumped for 57 bringing Hiscock to the crease. JBM carried on with Hiscock scoring a well made 11 after being caught by “Sub” fielder Walker fielding for Easton who only had 9 men. JBM fell not long after, walking off before the finger even went up bringing Bob Marsh to the middle to join Elby where the two put on a useful partnership with Elby scoring the bulk of the runs well supported by Bob who fell stumped for 6. This brought Finn Clapton out to the middle for the first time for Orient - off the back of a well made 14 the day before he thought “There were runs to be had here”. Unfortunately he slapped the ball up to point 3rd ball falling for a duck bringing wicket keeper Danno to the crease. Elby fell for a very useful 21 as the final wickets fell for not many runs - Joe clapton clothing one to Mid on for 4 and Walker now playing for the right team was caught for a duck as the O’s ended on 192-9 which brought about the most important part of the game - Tea. The O’s sat down to enjoy some homemade sandwiches although the selection of fillings could have been improved they were still thoroughly enjoyed. The highlight of the tea was definitely the Tesco finest cakes and watching Danno butcher a melon and leave the seeds in - onto the bowling. JBM threw the new ball to Clapton Sr. who bowled like someone with Parkinson's watering a garden (he sprayed it everywhere) until by some miracle he bowled one on the stumps and got a wicket. Clapton Jr. (despite having bowled a brutal 9 over spell the day before) opened at the other end and after going for consecutive boundaries off of Freddie Flintoff, had him stumped expertly by Danno who had to face a tirade of abuse from the young man after he whipped his bails off. Their number 4 came and went for a duck which brought their skipper to the crease just as Matt “Curtly” Hiscock came onto bowl. Despite being a spinner “Curtly” managed to bounce out the skipper with a full delivery that was hit to John Hayes at square leg. What happened over the next 40 minutes was pure gritty attritional cricket by the Easton's batters having two less batters that couldn't afford to lose any more wickets. A partnership worth at least 70 took Eastons to not needing many but that all changed when James “Sub” Walker took a vital wicket ending the stand, caught by Clapton Sr. it meant that the O’s needed another 3 wickets for victory. Enter the Baker-Merry boys, with Eastons smelling victory the Skipper brought himself on and struck almost instantly with a catch to Edgy at point. The new man in was walking back to the pavilion soon after as JBM bowling some serious wheels nicked him off and Danno picked up his 2nd victim (3rd if you count the melon) of the day - surely there has to be conversations around JBM replacing Stokes as England's all-rounder. With the O’s needing 1 wicket and Eastons needing about 15 runs it was anyone's game, it was the turn of ABM to bowl this time. He started off well before being hammered for a 6 (which just like himself yesterday narrowly missed a crossbar) making the game even more interesting. More Stoke-esque captaining from JBM as he brought himself into silly point without a helmet and sure enough he took the winning catch there off ABM who had redeemed himself from failing the crossbar challenge. Wild celebrations ensued and with no showers present the O’s were swiftly off to the pub. The lads enjoyed a few beers in the lovely garden overlooking a newbuild estate - (just don’t ask The Stag Inn if they take Amex). Well played to Eastons CC and thanks for the tea
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© Dave Revell