17th June 2000

MARCONI V E.C.C.

Could we continue our winning ways and make it three in a row by beating Marconi. We were struggling for players and were without Gandy, Read,Clarke and Vale. Gavin Shillingford made his long awaited debut behind the stumps and Nic Woollards work Mate Rik Parikh came in at the last minute, this actually probably made us stronger and after Geoff Claughton had lost the toss and we took to the field it took just 4 balls before Gavin held a sharp catch off Paul Lewis. In actual fact this was just the wicket Paul had waited for and he cashed in taking 3 quick wickets. Tony Mitty opening in the absence of Pierre also found the wicket to his liking also taking 3 wickets including a spectacular slip catch from Eric Pulsford. Having been 31-6 Marconi did come back briefly but Jitts ended the innings with the final two wickets to leave ECC just 82 to win. Rik Parikh had looked a superb fielder and also showed he can bowl 0-12 in 6 overs. ECC started poorly with Rob out for 0, however Nic and the impressive Buckster put on 59 for the second wicket until a mini collapse incurred. Sheb went for 14 Buck for 35 Page for 0 Rik for 4 and most disappointingly the impressive looking Gavin given out by Paul Lewis for 4 as the wicket keeper was apologising for the bowler appealing!!! Eric and Hanson eventually saw us home with 4 wickets to spare, another win which has now put us in 3rd place and challenging for unlikely promotion.

MARCONI 81 ALL OUT - LEWIS 6.5-0-24-4 MITTY 6-0-23-3 CLAUGHTON 6-2-19-2 PARIKH 6-1-12-0

ECC 82-6 Jones 35, Gregg 0, Woollard 14, Shillingford 4, Williams 11no, Page 0, Parikh 4,Pulsford 0 no

ECC WON BY 4 WICKETS

MAN OF THE MATCH- PAUL LEWIS