The 2nd XI fall just nine runs short of chasing down 263 but do enough in defeat to ensure Division Four cricket again next season.

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Whatever the future holds for the 1st XI one thing that can never be taken away is the fact that Elmstead Cricket Club won the Two Counties Championship in 2017 which for a club of our size is a tremendous achievement and it will remain in the record book

The 2nd XI made the short journey to Eight Ash Green on a warm late summer’s day to play out their final fixture of the 2018 season. After yet another difficult week of getting people to play cricket, the team travelled with a full XI at the expense of the already relegated 1st XI who took on the Division One champions with nine players.

Before the start of play a few midweek calculations meant that a minimum of three points was needed to keep the 2nd XI out of the bottom two and 13 to keep them out of the bottom three (in case of three teams being relegated due to EAPL promotion/relegation knock on effect) based on all other results going against the 2’s.

Eight Ash Green is always a good place to play cricket and Saturday was no exception. A superb batting wicket was used to full effect by the home side that won the toss and elected to bat first in brilliant sunshine.

The game was a dead rubber for Eight Ash Green who could not improve on their third place finish and their batters batted with freedom and certainly made hay in the sunshine as they got off to a flier. Their cause was helped by some indifferent bowling as both Zac and Pete Webster both went for early boundaries including a couple of sixes.

On a wicket that offered very little to the bowlers, boundaries came at regular intervals as any error in length or line was punished although a large number of these deliveries were full bungers or long hops. It then came as a bit of a surprise when Zac induced an edge off of the openers flailing bat and even more so when an airborne Pressers hung onto a very acrobatic catch.

Change bowlers Fraser and Elliot Mann were introduced and made important breakthroughs to slightly stymie the run rate and reduce the home side to five down but Keith and Stuart Hammond readdressed matters with a big sixth wicket stand that ended any thoughts of chase in and around the 200 run mark.

Once the 200 mark was cleared, the batters let loose and the procession of boundaries restarted as the bowlers suffered again with their lengths and lines. The 250 run mark was breached before Zac on his return bowled Keith Hammond for 86 which gave the 2’s their first target of three points. There was a run out off of the last ball of the innings as EAG closed on 269 for 7 with Stuart Hammond unbeaten on 79.

As one would expect with a score of 269 on the board, the bowling took some tap. Zac finished a good season with the ball with 2-55 from 9 but Elliot had a bruising spell with the ball as his 15 overs of spin cost 99 runs with one wicket thrown in. Pete didn’t have the best of days either with 0-60 from 8 overs and the pick of the visiting bowlers rather surprisingly was Fraser who’s 13 over uphill spell cost 48 runs with three wickets including two LBWs.

After probably the best tea of the season which included smoked salmon as well as ham, brie and salad sangers, Pressers and Sarso opened the batting.

The clock was ticking for Sarso as an impending evening shift on the cranes at Felixstowe meant that the classy batter had 75 minutes at the crease before having to take his leave.

Much like the EAG innings, the Elmstead reply got off to a rapid start with Pressers taking a couple of early boundaries from the opening attack. During this initial spell Sarso was shelled by the keeper when on nought but then settled in to play a superb innings that along with Andy put the 2’s in a great position.

With the home bowlers also struggling with their lengths, Sarso simply tucked in and started to banish the bowling to all parts of EAG’s ground. One over from the opening bowler contained four boundaries including one absolute dreamy on-drive that raced to the long on boundary followed by an off drive that was a tad more violent and went like a tracer to the long off boundary.

Sadly the time had come for Sarso to leave the field undefeated on 75 and with Pressers the pair had put on 120 in only 18 overs. After Sarso’s departure the run rate eased somewhat as the change bowlers bowled a lot tighter which was followed by first Worsel being yorked for a duck and then Zac being caught behind for a globe as the early innings impetus was lost a bit.

Elliot joined Pressers and the pair repaired things and got the innings going again but Pressers, who had got a bit bogged down and had survived a close LBW shout, wasn’t so lucky second time around when he was pinned in front for 46.

Pete was next in but unfortunately he didn’t last long as he nicked off to give a regulation catch to the keeper for the third duck of the innings which meant Chairman Butch was next at the crease.

Butch and Elliot’s partnership got the 2’s back into the game with Butch finding his range early on with some boundaries before Elliot’s innings was cut short on 22 via a one handed catch that left the reply on 194-5 from 33 overs.

This brought Fraser to the wicket and with Butch in good form and running well between the wickets the pair brought up the 200 and kicked on as EAG’s second change bowlers started to suffer. Butch passed his 50 with the score on 226 and with seven overs left the run rate was now down to a run a ball which was coming quite easily much to the concern of the home side’s captain.

With 27 runs needed from five overs, the 2’s were in the box seat but the cruise home was rudely interrupted when Butch tried to clear the long off boundary only to hit straight to the fielder who calmly claimed the catch. Butch made an excellent 62 but his dismissal suddenly made things a bit harder.

Elliott Smith was in at eight and survived a close LBW call first up but soon started to get bat onto ball and kept the scoreboard ticking. However, the return of EAG’s best bowler saw a number of dot balls which meant 20 runs were needed from 12 balls.

Fraser holed out to long on from the first ball of the 44th over for 30 which meant the task was even harder especially with Martin Whitely now at the crease and batting for the first time in a number of years. That didn’t stop him from creaming a lovely straight boundary before Elliott was stumped leaving Alex Redding to try and achieve the impossible.

In the end the winning line was just too far out of reach as the Elmstead innings closed on 259-8 which was a great effort but still left a slightly disappointing feel as it was one we could have won.

The nine run defeat meant eight bonus points were taken which ensured a finish outside of the bottom two which was then improved upon when news of defeats for Nacton and Maldon 2nd XI filtered through. The icing on the cake was the news that Bury would not be relegated from the EAPL meaning only two teams would go down – strange that a result in the EAPL would be followed so closely from a Division Four fixture!

Based on Saturday’s results, the 2’s have finished in eight position 10 points clear of the relegation places. As mentioned last week, this is a superb achievement considering that pretty much half the season was played with teams featuring 10 or less players. Congratulations to all who turned out regularly when the chips were down and to those who helped us out when it was needed. Also, a big well done to Zac who has come through the toughest of baptisms as 2nd XI captain.

However, we cannot keep getting away with fielding undermanned and understrength teams especially in this division which seems to get that little bit harder each season.

The 1st XI finished their difficult season at home to champions Worlington with a quirk in the fixtures that saw the passing of the baton (or pennant) from defending champions to new champions.

As mentioned earlier, the 1’s had nothing to play for and with the 2’s needing a result it was the 1st XI’s turn to play with less than 11. In fact it was nine which is not great considering it was a Division One fixture but c’est la vie and it was greatly appreciated by the 2’s who needed a full complement.

Jordan was again in charge, won the toss and not surprisingly elected to bat first. Jordy led from the front top scoring with 70 from 82 balls including 11 fours. Support was offered by Michael Cursons (16), Vicko (33) and the evergreen Evo with 22. 19 extras brought up the final score of 180-8 (and all out) with the returning Ashan Athurkoralage claiming two of the wickets to fall.

After tea, Worlington made short work of chasing the runs down and they knocked off the runs for the loss of only one wicket, courtesy of a catch by Vicko off of Mukesh’s bowling.

This nine wicket defeat brought the curtain down on a tough season for the 1’s that I am sure they are glad to see the back of it. Division Two cricket again next season but perhaps that is not a bad thing as the club looks to rebuild its 1st XI and get back to the reason why we play cricket at the weekend which is primarily enjoyment.

Whatever the future holds for the 1st XI one thing that can never be taken away is the fact that Elmstead Cricket Club won the Two Counties Championship in 2017 which for a club of our size is a tremendous achievement and it will remain in the record books and there are not many clubs who can say that.

After the game a productive if somewhat under attended players meeting took place in the bar where plans were hatched for next season. It was a positive meeting and we all left glad that this season was over but now looking forward to the future as we try to address the availability issues.

Finally this is the last report of 2018. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read it and to those who have inadvertently provided material during the season via the WhatsApp group. The website will continue to be updated during the off-season as news of the 2019 season becomes clearer so please keep checking for updates.

Over and out.