Even whilst waiting for transport in the car park at EP, it was pretty obvious that there was going to be no play today.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to go through the usual rigmarole of turning up at the opposition ground and waiting for two hours until someone decided to call proceedings off as we got a call from Chipps as we were driving to Worthing to say that the pitch was already too wet.

As it turned out, only three games in the whole league actually started, and they only lasted a few overs each, so everyone got the standard eight points – given that you can play pretty poorly and still get ten or more points (remember our draw at Crawley Eagles), perhaps it is about time that the league looked at this!

Still, at least we went up one place in the table as Portslade were not due to play, so we are fifth, just two points behind Ram but there are only seven points separating the four teams from fourth to seventh, meaning that there is still a lot to play for in the remaining three games.

Clymping coming up this week, and they will be looking to make amends for their first defeat of the season that EP inflicted on them back at the end of May, when the weather was also pretty poor.

Perhaps the next EPCC merchandise should be sponsored wetsuits!

Horsham Trinity 190-6 (46 overs) - 4 points

EP were looking to extend their unbeaten run of four games and to avenge the defeat at Trinity on the second week of the league season, and were again greeted with another hard flat track prepared by Smutt. Andy wanted to win the toss and bat to put pressure on the visitors, and was worried when the coin fell the wrong way, but inexplicably Trinity decided to field first in the heat.

Sean had a new opening partner this week in Gary, as Andy moved Jack down the order, and both looked comfortable against some short pitched bowling from Smith and White, so it was a bit of a surprise when Gary failed to get over a drive and was caught at cover for 9 (31-1). In another tweak to the order, Darryl stepped up one place to three and, after negotiating a dangerous bouncer first ball, soon set about the bowling. Sean and Darryl took turns to overtake the other’s score but Sean eventually forged ahead and reached his 50 off 58 balls with a six off Street, who seemed unsure whether to bowl seam or spin and was not doing either particularly well, eventually conceding over 104 runs from 17 overs. Darryl became a little becalmed, taking 25 balls to move from 46 to 50, which came off his 82^nd delivery, but he was still looking in good touch.

The introduction of young leg spinner Gunning had slowed the rate a little but both the Rebbetts started to attack him more, with Sean playing two good sweep shots for four. However, that shot that was to undo him when Gunning bowled him round his legs for 89, when a thoroughly deserved ton looked within his grasp (182-2).

Tom R guided his first ball to third man for two and looked to be settling in when he was given LBW to Street by Dick for 5, a decision which he was clearly not happy with (198-3).

EP bagged maximum batting points with more than ten overs left and 300 was a distinct possibility as Trinity fielders’ heads dropped and bodies wilted in the sun. Darryl continued the acceleration and reached his third ton of the season, overtaking Sean’s club league record in the process, before falling to a catch off Street for 116 (268-4). By this time, Jack had already warmed to his new role of middle order hitter and helped himself to four sixes in a score of 44 not out off just 22 balls. The innings was declared closed when Miggins was caught at long on for 2 off Street (284-5) as Andy decided to deprive Trinity the opportunity of gaining any bowling points.

The second innings started with the freneticism that marked the end of the first, as Jack was hit for two pulled sixes in his first over, suggesting that Trinity were going to have a go at the target. Andy called on Joel to bowl the second over with his slow non-turning off-spin, as he had been the most economical bowler the previous week and, apart from one over that went for 8, he bowled very tidily without looking threatening, although he was unlucky when Jack later could not quite reach a difficult chance in the deep off (you guessed it) a full toss. Meanwhile, Jack’s second over could not have been more different from his first as he bowled a tighter line and had Angus Cox caught behind by Gary (14-1).

Number three, Petch, had the build of a nightclub bouncer but seemed unable to utilise that strength as he alternated between wild swipes and sturdy prods before being put out of his misery when Mark Coskin had him caught by Tom R in the covers for a 21 ball duck (33-2) and the normally effective Steve Cox followed in Mark’s next over as he was beaten by a full delivery to be bowled for a slightly quicker, five ball, duck (33-3).

EP were now in total control as Joel and Mark gave very few loose deliveries and Miggins, despite being hit for a six in each of his first two overs, also bowled tightly. Only the return of Jack seemed to stir the batsmen into mid-innings action as he was hit for 29 off three overs before giving way to Tom C. That brought swift results as firstly White was caught by Darryl for 38 (114-4) and then Cushing caught by Smutt for 3 (125-5) as the fielders closed in around the bat. The departure of Humphrey, bowled by Miggins for 6 (132-6) gave EP a real chance of a win and of overtaking Trinity in the table. Disappointingly, considering they had opted to field first, Trinity never really made an assault on the target and the quality of the wicket and the softening of the ball prevented any further EP success in the remaining 14 overs, with Trinity finishing 94 runs short (190-6), and the two teams ended the day level third in the table, although Trinity have a game in hand.

A free Saturday next week, followed by a difficult four game run in: Chipps, Clymping, Broadwater and Eagles. If we play like this though, we should stay in the top half of the table and third is a real possibility.

Portslade 170 all out (40.3 overs)

Andy won the toss and, much to the apparent bemusement of the Portslade skipper, elected to bat first.

Jack continued his poor form with the bat as he stretched a long way to toe-end his third ball to cover for a duck (4-1), and Graham was again unlucky, having been LBW to a shooter last week, when he got another low delivery to be bowled for 2 (20-2). That brought the Rebbetts boys together and they embarked carefully on a partnership of 110 that turned the innings around. Darryl started slowly and was only on 33 when Sean, who deserved a ton, miscued a pull to deep square leg to be dismissed for 84 (130-3) to re-unite the season’s form batsmen in Tom R and Darryl.

Darryl continued at a relatively leisurely pace, reaching his 50 off 97 deliveries, only just surviving when a skied pull was badly missed at square leg by one of the younger opposition fielders when he was on 48. That seemed to galvanise him into action and, as well as running well judged singles and twos, he started to find the gaps and the boundaries more frequently, allowing Tom time to settle in at the crease, until he too joined in with some more expansive strokes, including a flat batted slog for six into the trees on the bank at square leg off opening bowler Alex Smith. Darryl finished on 83 and Tom on 42, with EP closing on 232-3, but many of the Portslade fielders and spectators felt the score to be below par following their 277 the previous week against Horsham Trinity.

The Portslade reply started in the anticipated frenetic fashion with skipper Sam Jones and his partner Glover latching onto anything loose and wide. Jack and Tom C had brief spells, and Coskin lasted just two overs, before Andy turned to the slower bowling of Miggins and Joel, as EP tried to bring the scoring rate back under a run a ball.

Joel, having judiciously mixed his long hops and full tosses the previous week, was successful with one of the latter when Glover was caught by Coskin at mid on (79-1), and Miggins produced an absolute beauty in the next over which drifted away before turning in off the wicket to bowl Jones (79-2). That brought the effervescent and eccentric Clayton Murray to the wicket. Having seen him almost dancing around in the covers as he walked in with the bowler in the first innings, it was a surprise that he stood still long enough to see the ball, let alone hit it, but just as he was getting going, Miggins bowled him for 21 (127-3). Two overs later Miggins hit the stumps again (132-4) and things were looking decidedly brighter for EP. Luke Jones normally hits strongly through the leg side, but could only flail one off Miggins to Darryl at backward point for 10 (153-5), and the real hitters were now all in the pavilion and more attacking fields could be set without the fear of injury.

The next wicket was a bizarre dismissal as young Lowry, who had shaped to play everything to leg, tried the same again off Joel only to inside edge onto his boot. The rebound was athletically pouched by keeper Sean and, after consulting with the square leg umpire, Portslade’s official sent him on his way (164-6).

Consolidation now seemed to be the way forward for Portslade but, after a few defensive strokes, an ill conceived swish from Alex Smith, perhaps responding to words of encouragement from the close fielders, was caught by Jack who had just been positioned at mid wicket (165-7).

A fine throw from Jack to hit the stumps direct brought another wicket (166-8) and, fearing that the opposition would try to block out for a draw, Andy recalled Jack to the attack. He responded immediately by bowling Wainwright with one that kept a little low (166-9), and he wrapped it up by bowling Clark in his next over (170 all out).

Sean seems to be finding his touch and Darryl and Tom carry on in excellent batting form. Jack is producing some great wicket taking deliveries with new or old ball and is economically supported by Tom C, but the last two wins have been achieved on the back of some great slow bowling form Miggins and Joel.

An unchanged side next week as EP, now up to 4^th, host 3^rd placed Horsham Trinity.

East Preston 120-8 (27.2 overs) – 30 points

EP arrived at a cold Wisborough Green without the two form batsmen (Darryl and Tom R), but full of confidence on the back of recent good results. On winning the toss, the decision to ask Wisborough to bat first was an easy one as the pitch was damp and there was the promise of more rain to come later in the day.

Jack opened down the hill with a very economical spell, which was matched by Tom C up the slope as the Wisborough openers started very cautiously. Mark replaced Jack and looked good for an over, but completely lost his rhythm in his second, overstepping five times.

Miggins replaced Jack, starting with a couple of loose deliveries before settling down, and was joined in a slow-bowling partnership (spin twins might be stretching a point a little) by Joel. Joel broke the painstaking opening stand in the 19^th over, when Miggins took a catch at point off a wide delivery (54-1), and he got his second off an awful heave from Vallis who hit the ball straight up in the air to be caught by Graham Laker coming forward from slip (62-2). Miggins then got in on the act by bowling the usually dangerous Ed Bowes for a duck (63-3).

With the scoring rate at less than three an over Wisborough needed to accelerate if they were to set a challenging total, and Calder-Smith struck a few lusty blows, mainly to the leg side, hitting Miggins for twelve in an over. That prompted Andy to switch ends for Joel, who immediately produced another stock long-hop to have Calder-Smith caught by Sean at point (97-4). Jack was brought back downhill and bowled top scorer Hopkins for a patient 39 (97-5) and Joel soon added the full toss to his wicket taking repertoire as Smutt, roaming the outfield as his bruised hands prevented him keeping, caught Mellor at mid on (102-6).

Wisborough skipper Thatcher tried to stabilise the innings but Tom C returned for a second spell and got his partner Sadler when Smutt took his second catch (118-7). Thatcher was bowled in the next over by Joel (118-8), who then got another two balls later, bowling Jenkins (118-9) and swiftly polished off the innings with his seventh wicket, caught by Jack (119 all out).

EP started confidently, and although Jack fell to a loose shot to be caught by Thatcher for 8 (31-1), Smutt and Sean looked as if they would overhaul the target easily. Perhaps undone by overconfidence, Sean had a heave and was caught and bowled for 47 (73-2) but when Graham fell, LBW for 7 to a shooter (96-3), there still seemed no reason for alarm in the EP camp.

The next few overs did not exactly go to plan, and the impending rains were obviously making the EP batters reconsider their game plan as a series of poor shots brought a flurry of wickets. Gary tried to slog sweep, but the ball went vertically instead of horizontally and he was caught at square leg for 1 (103-4) and Smutt was caught in the next over for 26 (103-5). Spice played in his own unique way and hit three fours from an over before a slightly dubious stumping decision went against him (115-6) and Joel hit the next ball, a full toss, straight to cover (115-7). Still, with only 5 needed for victory, there should have been no panic, but that did not prevent Andy and Miggins having a near calamitous misunderstanding when Andy called for a third run as he had spotted a weak fielder, and Miggins had to scramble home to safety at the bowlers end, following which, Andy showed he could play the full toss as poorly as Joel, hitting his first ball to short mid-wicket (118-8). Fortunately, Tom C restored some sanity and picked off the last two singles to secure the 30-point win with plenty of time to spare.

Still, we got there in the end and we found a new slow bowler in Joel who finished with 7-32 and some of his wickets were even taken off decent balls!

Selsey 269-4 (45 overs) – 5 points

Andy lost the toss again, but was not upset at being asked to bat first as that would have been his preference anyway on a good hard EP wicket in the sunshine.

Sean and Jack put on their best opening partnership of the season, with both looking very fluent until Jack was given LBW, to one that he felt pitched outside leg stump for 25 (69-1). Smutt also looked in good touch, although his over reliance on the late cut eventually led to his downfall as he chopped onto his stumps for a brisk 24 (86-2), with EP already scoring at almost six an over.

Sean looked well set for a 50 when he got a nick to the keeper to be out for 42 (126-3) and that would have been the point at which EP of old would have started to collapse. However, Tom R sensibly played himself in while Darryl started to find the boundary more easily. Selsey’s fielders looked on in almost total silence, unable to find any words of encouragement for each other as they forlornly chased the ball, and their only response to the flurry of runs was to post more and more fielders on the boundary edge, but still Darryl and Tom found the gaps.

With the end of the innings approaching, both batsmen became more expansive with their strokeplay, which was only temporarily halted when Tom tried to reach a wide one of the first ball of the last over to be caught behind for a well crafted 55 (269-4). Miggins was promoted ahead of Gary to indulge in some quick biffing and did not disappoint as he took 9 from his three balls to leave Darryl with two balls to get a second ton of the league season. He only needed one of those, which he despatched for four and pushed a single of the final delivery to finish unbeaten on 102 and EP had set their highest total of the season (283-4).

Jack immediately removed opener Andy Horner for a duck with a fine swinging delivery to clean bowl him (0-1), and although Tom C went for 14 in his first over, Jack struck in the next one to bowl Walton (22-2). Selsey skipper Davies continued to blaze away, taking another 14 from Tom C’s first four balls of the fourth over, but then hit the fifth straight to Tom R at cover to be out for an almost bizarre 12 ball 33 (40-2).

Sean replaced Tom but, starting with two wides, he did not improve and was quickly replaced by Steve Laker.

Selsey should have been 70-4 but Jack bowled Nick Horner with the only no-ball of the day and, although he was still looking very dangerous, Jack had reached the end of his ECB-limited spell. With the ball still moving about, Andy gave Tom R the ball and he bowled tightly to concede just 19 from five overs without any luck, although to have used five bowlers by the eleventh over, showed that EP were having to chase the ball as much as Selsey had earlier. As the ball got older and more roughed up, Andy turned to Miggins who brought control to the attack and he got some good turn to bowl keeper Miles (120-4).

More rotation of the seamers from the sea end failed to produce any wickets for EP until Sean returned for a second expensive spell to bowl Nick Horner, who had made the most of his earlier no-ball reprieve, for 91 (205-5), to leave Selsey looking for 79 off 39 balls. Usually that would have been the time to play out for the draw but, to their credit, Selsey’s batsmen had a go against some very attacking fields and continued bowling changes but ultimately fell 14 short (269-4).

If only Minno’s eyesight had been a bit worse and he had not called that no-ball! 

Southwick 139 all out (41.5 overs) – 6 points

After last week’s defeat to Ram EP could easily have been down before this match but everyone was confident of getting a good result against a struggling Southwick team. Andy lost the toss and unsurprisingly EP were invited to bat.

Both openers looked much more confident than in previous weeks. Jack tightened up his technique and looked to leave as much as possible while getting used to the wicket, but Sean was given instructions to play with more freedom and this was apparent as early as the second over which brought three well struck boundaries. The Southwick attack included Paul Grennan, who had upset the EP team last year by some idiotic sledging of Jack (who was just 14 years old at the time), and he proved that he had lost none of his ability to irritate opponents, often continuing his follow-through to offer some inane comment towards the batsman. His reported words to Jack are unrepeatable on this forum.

Unfortunately, Grennan did get the first two wickets, having Jack caught and bowled for 8 off a mistimed pull (37-1) and Sean bowled of an inside edge for 23 (40-1), but he didn’t bowl well, with Darryl hitting him for two sixes, one a flick off his hip over square leg, the other a pull shot to the same destination.

Smutt was not at his fluent best and was bowled for a painstaking 7 (73-3), although this was a much better return for the first three wickets than the previous match, when we were 8-3. Darryl, who had already passed 50, was joined by Tom R who, like the batsmen before him, struggled to time the ball at first and, just as he was beginning to get into his stride, was suckered out when he pulled a long hop from the spinner against the stiff breeze and straight to square leg for 21 (135-4). Gary followed next ball for a £1 fine inducing golden duck, trying to flick the ball to leg to be rightly adjudged LBW by Minno (135-5), bringing Miggins to the crease. Miggins has been in great form in recent weeks, including getting a maiden senior century against touring Styal onTuesday, but he never got going and was bowled by Grennan, on for a second spell, for 7 (156-6).

Spice was told to go and enjoy himself and, even though his third ball could easily have been hit straight to mid-on rather than clearing the fielder for a single, he did not disappoint, hitting five fours in his 25 not out as EP passed 200 comfortably. The only question to be resolved was whether or not Darryl could get his century, but he chipped a drive back to the bowler and was out for 87 (202-7). After a brief check on the overs gone (45.4), the skipper decided to prevent Southwick from getting any further bowling points, as EP already 10 in the bag for batting, and declared for an early tea with more science from Chambers and pedantry from the Reeves boys.

Although umpire Minno seemed puzzled at the declaration, the skipper explained that he felt that Southwick’s recent form meant they would be hard pushed to get 200, as they hadn’t managed that many combined in their last two innings.

With Joel still unfit, but taking wickets with his new found spin variant in the 2s, Jack opened. His second ball was run down to third man for a boundary but he amazed even himself with the next one which swung away from the opener by 12 inches to clean bowl him (4-1). Tom C started from the pavilion end and was as miserly as he had been in previous weeks, conceding just one run from his first four overs and, although Jack was a bit wayward at times, he did take the second wicket when the skipper’s attacking field placing paid off , Sean taking a comfortable catch at short mid wicket (24-2), followed by another big outswinger to york the opposition captain for a duck (24-3). With both openers restricted to just 5-over spells, Steve Laker and Sean took over, and Steve’s second over brought more success as Minno gave his second LBW decision of the day (47-4), and comical running brought the fifth (70-5).

Sean was struggling to maintain his line and was replaced by Jack for a second spell. Just as Andy was thinking of giving him a rest, he induced a slip catch to Miggns (86-6), which brought Grennan to the crease, but he disappeared almost as quickly as he had arrived as Miggins bowled him for a duck (87-7).

Southwick’s numbers 7 and 9 (Martin and Downey) tried to consolidate and gradually moved towards batting points as Tom R was tried for a couple of overs of seam and Darryl for two of off-spin, with his side strain still preventing him from bowling pace, and Darryl removed Martin to an LBW verdict that the batsman looked unhappy with, although he had spent most of his innings shuffling across his stumps (127-8).

At the fall of the wicket, the Southwick skipper asked Andy if he would accept Downey having a runner, which was initially declined as Andy felt that the injury had been brought into the game rather than having been incurred during it. A big Southwick hissy fit followed. In an effort to defuse the situation, Andy deferred to the umpires who confirmed that a player did indeed leave the field earlier for treatment after being hit on the knee whilst fielding, but they could not be sure if there was a prior injury or who it was. Interestingly, an EP spectator roaming the boundary did hear one local suggesting that Andy’s first reaction about the timing of the injury had been wholly correct!

In any case, a runner was not used for the time being, Southwick tempers remained frayed, and Downey proceeded to walk off at the end of the over, apparently in the mistaken belief that EP would be deprived of points if they did not get all 10 Southwick wickets (again clearly overheard by our EP spy), and the last man came out to face Tom C who had been recalled to the attack. Tom struck with his third delivery with Gary taking a good catch in the five man slip cordon (128-9). Andy had agreed to consider Downey’s earlier departure as “retired hurt”, so he was allowed to resume his innings, now with a runner (are you all keeping up with this?) and struck a couple of fours off Darryl, before Tom mopped up the innings by having another slip catch taken by Steve Laker (139 all out).

So EP were back to winning ways having completely outplayed Southwick in all departments.

That was another great innings from Darryl, there was good application from Tom R, and positive batting from Sean and Spice. Jack bowled beautifully to finish with 4-30, it was good to see Tom C get wickets, with 2-11, and the other bowlers, particularly Steve, did their bit. The fielding was excellent and committed throughout the innings.

Selsey and Wisborough Green in the next two weeks, so we should be looking for further wins to climb back up the table.

Ram 92-7 (24.2 overs) – 30 points

After getting some valuable points last week at Crawley Eagles, EP were looking forward to playing on what they expected would be an easier track at home. The wicket was a little damp, but still relatively hard and, despite being asked to bat on losing the toss, Andy was hopeful that a good score could be posted against a team starting the day just a point ahead of us in the table.

The hopefulness lasted all of seven overs as Sean was caught for his third duck of the season (2-1), Jack was bowled for 3 (8-2) and Smutt gave some catching practice to the slip cordon to be dismissed for 5 (8-3).

Darryl grafted for 40 minutes for 2 before being caught behind (30-4) and Tom R, who had at least managed to find the middle of the bat and hit four fours in his 21, went the same way (36-5). Spillers, making his 2008 first team debut, lost sight of a full toss to be bowled for a duck (40-6) and the innings was in tatters with no-one (apart from Tom R thus far) seemingly willing or able to apply themselves to counter the bounce and movement off the wicket.

Spice wafted at his very first delivery and could easily have been castled but he showed some fight to score 13 before being bowled (66-7) and Miggins fell immediately afterwards, toe-ending an injudicious shot to mid-on for a top score of 22 (66-8).

Tom C was bowled for 1 playing down the line of leg stump to one that hit off (71-9) and Coskin joined Andy to try to prolong the innings. Inevitably, after hitting a six, Coskin’s ambition overtook his ability and he was caught for 10 (88 all out), leaving Andy stranded on 8, after 39 minutes at the crease. The skipper was not amused but had to put his feelings aside to stir the team for the second innings and to try to salvage something from the ruins.

With Darryl declaring himself unable to bowl due to a side strain incurred the previous week, Coskin was given first over in the hope that he could get the same bounce as the Ram bowlers, and soon produced a delivery that left the batsman off the pitch to have Miggins pouch a good slip catch (6-1) and Smutt took another (20-2). Jack bowled well at the other end without luck and was replaced by Sean, who tried hard but was too wayward, and Ram were closing easily on the target, but the introduction of Tom C brought two quick wickets, Sean taking a catch at mid-on (50-3) and Smutt taking another behind the stumps (55-4).

With Coskin having bowled his full spell of seven overs, Andy used the other three seamers in short spells and the return of Jack saw his and the team’s luck change as he bowled one batsman (82-5) and then saw Darryl take a wonder catch the next ball, diving forward at second slip (82-6). Sean finally found the right area and induced a mis-timed drive to Tom R at cover (84-7) and both sides were thinking back to last year’s tie. It couldn’t happen again could it?

No!

A few wafts from the Ram batsmen and a poor leg-side delivery from Sean that went for four byes brought the scores level before a drive over cover for four off Jack ended the match (92-7) with 30 overs to spare.

To be honest, we all knew that this young team would have the odd off day when nothing went right, so let’s just hope that this batting shambles was a one-off. All credit to the bowlers, but they will need to put in similar performances in the coming weeks to get some wins and move us back up the table as other results conspired against us and we are now second from bottom.

Next week’s match against Southwick, who are also struggling for form and are just four points and one place ahead of us, is now probably a “must win”.

East Preston 152-9 (45 overs) – 13 points

The team headed to delightful Crawley this week, with much of the talk in advance being of the standard of the wicket that we would be faced with. The pre-match inspection brought no surprises as we found an underprepared track with a lot of give in the surface. The skipper was of course delighted to win the toss and be able to ask the Eagles to bat first.

Darryl opened as usual and did not disappoint with the amount of movement and variable bounce that he extracted from the pitch, and he was paired with young science guru Tom C who bowled an impeccable line. The first wicket came in the seventh over as the slow scoring rate got to the home openers and a suicidal run out ensued courtesy of a throw from Coskin (13-1). Sean replaced Tom and started with five wides and could not get any control so was removed from the attack after just a couple of overs to be replaced by Jack. At the other end, Coskin was brought on to try to use the unpredictability of the bounce, but it was Jack who struck next, trapping the other opener in front (37-2) and Coskin quickly followed with another LBW decision (38-3). A brief flurry of runs came before Smutt took a catch behind off Jack (52-4) in the 20^th over. Ali, Eagles number 3, decided that grafting was not the way to play on this track and started to up the tempo and, along with his Inzy look-alike partner, started to hit out. Miggins, who was suffering from a sore back, being his main victim.

The bowlers were used in shorter spells, with Tom C remaining miserly and Sean quite the opposite, which led to a prolonged sulk.

Eventually, as the EP heads were dropping and there was a danger of in-fighting developing, Darryl bowled Ali (150-5). Jack’s return, whilst not as economical as his first spell brought more wickets, firstly bowling Armer (172-6). Coskin took a good catch off Darryl (179-7), another run out (186-8) and Jack’s fourth wicket, having “Inzy” caught by Tom R at extra cover (191-9), saw Eagles panicking in search of the 200 and full batting points. Darryl ended the innings by having the Eagles skipper caught by Sean (191 all out) and EP had 10 points in the bag, although the score was the highest by some way on the Eagles track this year.

A debate on the content on one of the sandwiches (apparently it was chicken & chilli) and a couple of choice science facts from Tom C (meringue is a good fire retardant) cheered up the EP camp over tea and the team looked ahead to what everyone expected to be a difficult run chase. As it turned out, there wasn’t a lot of “chasing” going on as runs proved even more difficult than the first innings. Jack was bowled off his third ball for 2 (2-2) and Sean’s glum mood was not lightened when he fell for the same, albeit slightly slower score (12-2). Smutt and Darryl tried to repair the damage, but a break in play to allow the scorer to move inside away from the unseasonal draughts led to a loss in Darryl’s concentration and he was out the next ball caught at deep gully for 16 (57-3). Smutt ground along for 42 before he was given leg before (76-4).

The rate of around 3 an over was never likely to get EP near to the target and Tom R, Gary and Spice were all bowled, for 14, 9 and 4, trying to get a move on (100-5, 102-6, 107-7) and EP had only earned one batting point when the skipper joined Miggins at the crease. Miggins decided to open his shoulders and struck a couple of good straight sixes and the sight of some friendly left arm spin was welcomed by Andy who joined in the fun to get a second point before he was bowled for 14 by a ball that pitched halfway down and hit the stumps 9 inches up, a mode of dismissal that had been inevitable for most of the afternoon (141-8). Andy’s parting instructions were to go for 150, and Miggins duly obliged off the spinner before he was LBW playing no shot for 33 (152-9). Coskin negotiated the solitary remaining delivery and a draw was secured.

Thanks to the vagaries of the points system, despite being outplayed, EP emerged a point richer than Eagles, which was in all honesty, totally undeserved.

Well grafted Smutt; well batted Miggins – constantly improving; well bowled Tom C; and valuable wickets from Darryl and Jack.

Broadwater 242-2 (43.1 overs) – 30 points

After last week’s win at leaders Clymping, EP were hopeful of getting something out of today’s match with second placed Broadwater. The pitch was completely different from last week, being much drier and flatter thanks to Smutt’s meticulous preparation, so the skipper decided to break from the usual trend and opted to bat first. The hope was to get 200+, notch ten points, and put pressure on in the field after tea.

Unfortunately, the innings got off to a bad start when Sean attempted a pull in the second over and saw the ball fall onto the stumps via his shirt for a duck (3-1). Jack batted more patiently than in recent weeks until he wafted outside the off stump to be caught behind for 11 (27-1) and worse followed when Smutt couldn’t resist a wide one that he hit straight to cover point for 13 (30-3). Apart from the wickets, the scoreboard was almost static, but Darryl and Tom refused to be panicked and set about building a partnership. Although slow to get off the mark, taking 19 balls to score his first run, Darryl looked in good nick and was into his stride as opening bowler Hodges was reaching the end of his stint, Darryl plundering four boundaries in as many balls. Umpire Minno got himself into the action, calling the bowler for eight no balls in his spell.

Tom also took his time to get going, but he hit a flurry of boundaries as Broadwater’s captain rotated the bowlers in search of a breakthrough. Gradually, the run rate increased and the EP skipper’s mood lifted with each addition of points. Both batsmen progressed past their fifties without alarm, and Darryl reached his maiden league century with a vicious pull over mid wicket. A fantastic and chanceless knock – until he was caught a few balls later for a fine 102 (198-4). To their credit, the Broadwater players all congratulated him as he left the field.

Gary and Miggins were both run out in the search for quick runs (219-5 and 233-6) and Joel faced just one ball before Tom brought the innings to a close with a six into the trees at wide mid-on (straight-cow in my book!) to finish on 84 not out (241-6). Ten points and the first objective achieved.

Broadwater did not seem unhappy at the target, and were well underway in the first over when Darryl’s first two deliveries were off- and leg-side wides, yielding 8 extras in all. Joel went for four first ball but settled down for a whole nine deliveries before pulling up with a recurrence of his old hamstring injury and had to spend the rest of the day at slip. Sean came and went without looking threatening, but Miggins bowled veteran Bob Reynolds with a full delivery in the 14^th over (71-1).

With Graham Waller in full flow, reaching his ton in the 25^th over, EP’s fielding and collective tempers started to fray. All of the bowlers were struggling to bowl one side of the wicket (15 byes and 23 wides), making it almost impossible to set a containing field, so it was a relief when Darryl returned and bowled Luker (211-2) to get a bowling point, although there were no further successes and the game was lost with more than twelve overs left.

At the end of the game, the skipper reminded the team that they had just taken 41 points from the top two sides in the division, and it was no disgrace to get beaten by a team containing several players who only nine months earlier had been playing for Findon at Lords.

We head to Crawley Eagles next week to play on a wicket that has yielded very few runs. The top score to date is just 150, so to will be vital for us to stay focused in the field and to take the catches when they are offered.

Congratulations again to Darryl for a great innings – lets hope that we see many more of them for EP.

East Preston 193-6 (43.1 overs) – 30 points

Another week of wet weather made the decision easy on winning the toss on a very damp Clymping track, although the skipper was getting worried after 15 overs without taking a wicket.

Darryl began economically as normal, but was unusually wayward, perhaps due to the slope of the wicket. He bowled a few “pearlers” but the absence of any real pace in the pitch hampered him. At the other end, Joel got his usual outswing, although initially pitching the ball too far up and being twice driven over extra cover by Kim Dean, but quickly adjusted and eventually had his man LBW with a swinging full toss (57-1). It was a pleasure to see an opposition umpire who gave what he saw and, even if some of his decisions were borderline (or poor in one case), he was scrupulously fair (or unfair) to both teams. As long as it is “the same for both sides”, everyone can be satisfied with that.

Mark Coskin had replaced Darryl, but it was obvious from his predominantly leg-side over, which brought two sets of four byes and another boundary, that this was not his wicket and he was immediately replaced by young Tom C who belied his lack of experience and adapted immediately with good accuracy and had the opposition skipper, Gareth Challen, well held by Miggins at midwicket (62-2). The run rate was being kept in check, partly due to elder statesman Roger Green’s inability to beat the field (he was only on 10) so EP looked in control.

Then, with a left hander coming to the crease and negating the effect of the short leg-side boundary, the skipper had a “Damascus” moment and replaced Tom C, who had 1-1 from two overs, with Miggins. From his first delivery, Miggins had the ball spitting off the pitch, troubling keeper Smutt as much as the batters, although Clymping were able to continue, aided by some almost comical fielding by EP, without further loss until the 29^th over when Hancock tried to hit over the top and was caught one-handed by Dan Carter at deep mid-on (107-3). Although Dan was to later completely misjudge another one in the deep and dive over a couple more, he was not alone in bringing ineptitude to the fore as Coskin, perhaps pondering on his earlier bowling and lacking concentration in the field, also a missed a couple of chances, and others were clearly daydreaming. Something we all need to think about in the coming weeks!

With the wicket turning sharply, Sean was introduced for a couple of exploratory overs of leggies, but lacked control and was soon asked to revert to his standard seam-up, which brought an immediate reward with the wicket of Green, LBW for a patient 40 (115-4). Meanwhile, Miggins was still bowling superbly and cleaned up David Blackall (who had scored 94 and 103 in his last two innings) with a beauty (121-5).

Clymping tried to accelerate, but were halted by the return of Darryl, who had Karl Pierce caught behind (160-6) to get EP’s first points and things got even better when Miggins bowled Matt Barton, who simply left one he should have played (164-7). Darryl got his second when Miggins caught Waddington (185-8) and although the Aussie, Danson, was still looking dangerous, he became Miggins fourth victim, again clean bowled (185-9). Thoughtless running brought the innings to a close when Coskin, redeeming himself for his earlier slips, ran out Salisbury (192 all out) and EP had ten points in the bag – the first time we have bowled out a team this season.

Perhaps affected by a huge tea (the best seen for several years), Sean got the run chase off to the worst possible start by being bowled for a fine-inducing duck (1-1), but Smutt and Jack looked at ease until Smutt got one that jagged back and was given LBW for 17 (32-2). Darryl fell the same way (36-3) and suddenly Clymping’s score was looking huge.

After a three low league scores, Jack was looking good and pulled Danson for six into the neighbouring field but was adjudged LBW two balls later (62-4). Several fielders were shaking their heads as they had clearly heard the big inside edge but, it was an honest mistake from the umpire. Dan Carter came and went for a golden duck, falling over a well pitched up delivery to be bowled (65-5) and panic could easily have set in but, after initial alarms, Tom R and Miggins restored calm and produced a fantastic partnership of 122 until Tom was bowled for an assured 64 just six runs short of the target (187-6). Skipper Andy played out four deliveries, one of which was a huge full toss that should have been called a no-ball by umpire Minno, and with three overs still remaining, Miggins struck the next ball for a big straight six to win the game, to gain maximum points for EP, and get himself a huge bear hug from the skipper who raced from the non-striker’s end to congratulate him for his fine match: four wickets, two catches and 71 not out!

An absolutely brilliant, if not flawless effort from our young team! The good thing is that we won this without being at our best, so we know that we have better things to come and can compete against the top sides in this league.

Miggins was clearly man of the match, but a lot of credit must also go to Tom, not only for his innings, but also for the calm-down chats he had with Miggins when the big guy played the odd rash shot.

The skipper is very proud of everyone.