ECC 1st XI vs Chippingdale CC, 2nd XI

The first away game of the season was upon the gate today as they travelled to Chippingdale CC which was going to be a tough match. Stand in skipper Dan won the toss and elected to bat on what was a hard wicket with a bit bounce.

Liam opened the batting once again but today he was joined by Joey. The boys got off to a fast start to the innings hitting multiple boundaries before Liam was dismissed LBW for 9. Brad then joined Joey in the middle looking to improve after last weeks performance. Joey then departed for 23 after being bowled and Henry came out to the crease looking to build a partnership with Brad. The pair hit a couple of boundaries before Brad was on the receiving end of a bouncer that was caught at short cover, he made 21. Curt then joined Henry once again looking to rebuild the innings and the two stuck around before Henry went for the big release shot and was caught and bowled for 15. Aaron walked out to the middle to join the other barman but sadly Aaron left the crease without troubling the scorebook. The skipper the came wondering out to the middle but shortly after Curt was bowled for 17. Harvey and Dan batted well together falling just short of a 50 partnership before a mix up in the middle saw Dan ran out for 10. Craig then joined Harvey and you could see that the senior Edwards wasn’t hanging about and after hitting a big 6 Craig was caught on the boundary for 10. Jamie then partnered Harvey before Harvey was caught after making a well earned 27. His older brother then came out to the middle and after Jamie hit a four through the cow corner region, Josh tried to replicate the same shot and was bowled for 0. The gate finished 184 all out after 35.4 overs.

After a short break, the boys needed a big bowling performance ahead of them if they were going to win this game. Henry opened as usual with Josh having the second over from the other end. Both opening bowlers were rewarded with Henry picking up 1 wicket from his first spell with a great catch by Dan. Josh also picking up a well earned wicket caught by a diving Henry at second slip, after both bowlers beat the outside edge multiple times. Brad then replaced Henry and he was also rewarded for his good spell with picking up the wicket of the Chippingdale opener. Craig replaced Josh from the top end of the ground and with his first ball got a wicket caught at short gully by Josh and then Craig proceeded to do the Jude Bellingham celebration. Second ball of the over Craig trapped the Chipps number 6 LBW for a golden duck. The boys the thought that they might see another hat trick but in true Eastergate fashion Craig bowled a wide. However this didn’t stop him from taking even more wickets. Craig removed the Chippingdale skipper bowled and replicated the same thing 3 balls later. Henry then came back on for his second spell and picked up the wicket of the oppositions number 9. Craig finished off the game with get another wicket bowled to earn his 5fer and to restrict Chippingdale to 99 all out with a spectacular diving catch off his own bowling to win the game for the gate.

Overall, good win for the boys the bowling was excellent with only 9 extras coming from them.

Special mentions: Joey 23, Brad 21 & 1-30, Henry 15 & 2-26, Curt 17, Dan 10 and good catch, Harvey 27, Craig 10 & 6-20, Jamie 5* and Josh 1-22

The boys are back at home next week against local team Clymping CC and are looking to continue their unbeaten run.

#UPTHEGATE