24th JUNE 2000

NORTH SHOEBURY V ECC

After 3 succesive wins a real tough (in more ways than one) test against the leaders Shoebury. The full team was back and on my return I lost the toss and we were put in to bat. Buck Jones was dismissed after just two balls by the impressive Bradfield. When Rob Gregg and Ian Gandy had both been out to shots they would rather forget we were in trouble on a pitch where 200 was required as a minimum at 49-3. It was then that Hanson finally came of age. If even Hanson was being truthful he would say he had some luck being dropped on more than one occasion and bowled off a no ball. However he did strike the ball with awesome power off the quick Bradfield and he thoroughly deserved his maiden league 50. When he was finally out for 51 the innings faltered with Mitty. Clarke and Lewis all out for 0. Pierre though batted out the final overs finishing 5 not out as ECC finished on 210-9. The whole innings though was based around NIc Woolards superb 97 not out of just 99 balls with 12 fours and 1 six, it was just dissapointing he failed to get the century he thoroughly deserved. Shoeburys reply started well as Lewis failed to continue his normal good bowling and were going along comfortably until Jitts and Tony took a wicket apiece. At 133-4 though Shoebury were still favourites. Against the wishes of some players (Buck) I decided to put Lewis back on to see if he could get a couple of wickets that may turn the match.In actual fact he took 5 wickets in 2 overs 4 of which were bowled and this meant Shoebury were 138-9.Amazingly though Shoebury were not out Their skipper came to the wicket and sensibly played with their number 3 Hughes and with 3 overs left 15 were needed with ECC on their knees. Tony who the previous over couldnt even let go of the ball bowled and Hughes had a go. Without having to move (luckily) as time stood still the skipper was there to hold the catch and the game was won. I knew I was in the team for something.

ECC 210-9 Jones 0, Gregg 6,Gandy 7, Woollard 97no, Williams 51,Claughton 5, Pulsford 11, Mitty 0,Clarke 0, Lewis 0, Read 5no

NORTH SHOEBURY 196 all out LEWIS 11-1-48-5 READ 9-0-42-1 MITTY 10.3-0-52-2 CLAUGHTON 12-0-38-2

E.CC WON BY 14 RUNS

MAN OF THE MATCH-NIC WOOLARD