Match Reports 2009
Saturday 5th September
Over 40s vs Under 40s
Unfriendly
Under 40s won by 22 runs
Under 177 - 4 off 25 overs
Over 156ao
Highlights
Sam Griffiths 46
Sam Leech 40
Danny Hackett 50 retired
Geoff Hackett 2 - 9 off 4
Eric Dodd 54*
Geoff Hackett 20 Retired Hurt
Gaz Leech 20
Dave Eastope 3 -10 off 2
Julian Davies 2 - 10 off 3
Danny Haines 1 - 12 off 4
Images >
Week 20 - Saturday 29th August
Elford 1sts Vs Erdington Court 1sts
Warwickshire League Div 4
Lost by 133 runs
Erd 212 -8
Elf 79ao
Elfords miserable form continued as they lost their final game of the season. The problem once again was the batting, best demonstrated by the fact that Elford collapsed from 47-0 to 79ao, losing 9 wickets for just 32 runs! Having elected to field first, Elford applied themselves well with the ball, exploiting the best out of the pitch. Despite some drop catches Elford soon made inroads into the visitors innings, with both Rob Drabble & Paul Baldwin bowling well. Danny Haines bowled his longest spell in over 13 monthes to claim 3 65 of 15, while Captain Tony Allen also bowled well, varying his pace to take 4 69 off 15. Despite a dangerous start, Erdington innings was restricted to 212 8 off 50 overs. Unfortunately, Elfords batting was their undoing as they capitulated in the usual fashion. Paul Baldwin (33) & Tom Marshall (11) batted sensibly all be it very building a solid start. However once the pair had been dismissed, Elford lost their nerve and the match, ending on 79ao. A disappointing end to the season, to what had been Elford's worst performance in the league for several decades.
Post Match View
What has been a difficult season in the way of results for the club is almost at an end. With just one game to go, an already relegated first team has nothing left to play for, other than pride. Having played for the club for twelve years, this had been the hardest season to take. What I find even harder to take is the fact that once again, the first team has traveled to fixtures with just 8 players. No first team/club can continue in this fashion, as games become pointless and a thoroughly miserable experience for those players left to endure it. Saturday's fixture was the fifth time in two seasons that the firsts have played with 9 men or fewer. Even more worrying is that out the 30 games played in the last two seasons, on only 18 occasions have we had 11 players, leaving over a third of fixtures with less than the full quota. Yet, the 2007 season, the first XI used 15 players all season, two of which only played 1 game! I'm not blaming anyone for the position we find ourselves in, but currently I can not see the club continuing its current format in the long term. The club cannot sustain two teams without either greater commitment or old/new faces. Likewise the prospect of running one team will do little to infuse any remaining players wishing to play at a decent standard. However, these are only my personal views and I hope I'm proved wrong. I know there are a lot of people who have dedicated a lot of time, money & effort to the club this season. I would like to thank all those who have helped with the Teas, the ground, the Bar, the Juniors as well as the players themselves who have turned up even when times have been difficult.
Dan Haines
2009 - Match Reports
Week 19 - Saturday 22nd August
Five Ways OE 1sts vs Elford 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Lost by 10 wkts
Elf 216 6
FWOE 217-0
An already relegated Elford side, with nothing left to play for other than pride, could only find 8 willing men to travel to Five Ways Old Eds. Having won the toss, Elford decided to bat first on a warm afternoon and make the best of a difficult position. Things didnt get off to the best start when Marshall was bowled early on, but Danny Haines dug in, while Malc MacDonald played his usual cavalier innings. MacDonald hit a quickfire 23, before Sam leech took over his mantle. Once again, leading run scorer Leech looked in good form, only to be caught off a full toss for 26. Haines finally succumbed to a LBW shout just after the drinks break for a stubborn 26, Elford's lower order doggedly hung on and continued to frustrate the homeside. Paul Baldwin finished unbeaten on 33 while Gaz Starkey looked in good touch for 31, despite not being able to run! Elford amazingly weren't even bowled out, finishing 216 6 off 50 overs to claim 4 batting points. Unfortunately that was the highlight of the game over with, as defending the total was a near impossible task with just 6 fielders in the field. Even with some sloppy fielding, Five Ways made short work of the total, reaching it inside 29 overs. Elford were left to rue a game which would have been very different with 11 men.
Week 16 - Saturday 8th August
Elford 1sts Vs Hunningham 1sts
Warwickshire Cricket League 4
Losing Draw
Hun 176 ao
Elf 137 - 8
Elford managed to avoid defeat and even threatened the unthinkable (victory) as they claimed a losing draw at home to Hunningham. On a rare sunny afternoon and with the luxury of 11 players, Skipper Tony Allen inserted the opposition, and was soon rewarded with some excellent bowling from Rob Drabble (2-32) and Paul Baldwin. The due had the visitors in all sorts of trouble, as Hunningham slumped to 29-4. The visitors middle order recovered under the guidance of their skipper while Gaz Starkey bowled tightly with 1 -23 off 10. Unfortunately a serious shoulder injury to Chris Browne resulted in Elford back down to 10 men and a night in hospital for the unlucky player.
On a more positive note, Danny Haines returned to the Elford bowling attack, to take his first wicket of the season. A combination of excellent fielding and tight bowling from Paul Baldwin, who took a deserved 4-27 off 14, helped Hunningham's last 5 wickets to fall for just 6 runs.
Elford didn't get off the best possible start and were in familiar territory on 23 3 off 9 overs. However Sam Leech and Danny Hackett (24) showed some spirit, plying sensibly to edge Elford a little closer. Once again though, despite a promising start, Sam Leech fell for 24, leaving Rob Drabble to ply his batting technique. He bludgeoned a quick fire 27 including an off side shot leaving Elford needing 70 off 22 overs. Like Hunningham though, Elford lost a series of quick wickets and were starring down the barrel on 98 7 a couple of overs later. Paul Baldwin and Danny Haines proceeded to bat out the next 17 overs, scratching any run possible in order to see Elford avoid another defeat. A nervy finish ensued when Haines was adjudged LBW with 3 overs to go, but Elfords tail hung onto the draw.
Four Oaks Sun XI vs Elford Sun XI
Lichfield Cricket League Div 4
Lost by 4 wkts
Elf 160 8
FOCC 161-6
Elford Sun XI traveled to Four Oaks on their final game of the season. Batting first, Elford lost Griffiths and Dodd early on but recovered under a Ross Sedgely (39) and Sam made a start Leech (23). Runs were difficult to come by on a low bouncing pitch and equally slow outfield, as Elfords middle toiled away. Captain Danny Hackett played well for 29, while Elford lower order all chipped in with a couple of runs each to see Elford post a modest 160 8 off 40 overs.
Danny Haines returned to the side and promptly exploited the conditions bowling tightly in his longest spell in over 12 months to claim a miserly 2 7 off 8 overs. Paul Baldwin was once again amongst the wickets picking up 2 39 while the Scottish pro, Malc MacDonald surprised the batsman with a ball that turned. Unfortunately, Elford couldn't maintain the pressure without a 5 th bowler and after some very unlucky appeals were turned down, Four Oaks scrabbled to the total with 2 overs to spare.
Week 15 - Saturday 1st August
Elford 1sts vs Aston OE 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Match Abandoned
Week 14 - Saturday 25th July
Wolvey 1sys vs Elford 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Match Report to follow
Week 13 - Saturday 18th July
Elford 1sts vs Newbold 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Match Report to follow
Week 12 - Saturday 11th July
Copsweood WIW 1sts vs Elford 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Match Report to follow
Week 11 - Saturday 4th July
Elford 1sts vs Haunchwood 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Match Report to follow
Week 9 - Saturday 27th June
Erdington Court 1sts vs Elford 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Erd 182 8
Elf 127 ao
Lost by 55 runs
3 pts
Elford's miserable form with the bat continued as they slumped to their sixth defeat of the season. With the halfway point of the season reached, Elford will need a minor miracle to avoid a second consecutive relegation. In a season which was always going to be difficult with long term injuries and several players leaving, Elford have struggled to compete at a consistent level. Once again, Elford fielded and bowled pretty well, but not for the first time this season, were sadly let down the bat. In fact things couldn't have got off to a better start with opener Paul Baldwin vicious throat bowl hitting the splice of the bat and looping to Haines in the gully, to take a wicket with the first ball. Elford's start got even better with the dangerous McAvan's falling early, leaving the hosts slumped at 31 -3 off 12 overs. Erdington's middle order dug in and produced a couple of notable partnerships, while Gaz Starkey and Rob Drabble both bowled too pick up a couple of wickets a piece. Erdington closed on a reasonable 182 8. Having narrowly avoided some large thunderstorms passing by, Elford batsman once again struggled to chase down a total. Sam Leech top scored with 35, while Danny Hackett (23) and Scott Wilson (17) made a fight of it lower down the innings. Unfortunately for Elford, they were bowled out for 127 some 55 runs short. This was the third time in 3 weeks that Elford have been bowled in the 36 th over, which suggests were some of the problems lye.
Week 8 - Saturday 20th June
Elford 1sts vs Five Way OE
WCL Div 4
No Play
4 pts
Lost by 99 runs
In a season that has become increasingly harder for the club, Elford were comfortable beaten by promotion chasing Five Ways OE. Playing with only 10 men with the missing Dave Emery, chance of victory was made even harder. Paul Baldwin 3 59 and Rob Drabble 3 54 both battled away with the ball, but Five Ways constructed the innings wll and closed on a competeive 233 6. Elfords reply never really got going and when Sam Leech (25) and Rob Collett (25) had been dismissed, the innings petered out with the usually familiarity. Paul Baldwin was left unbeaten on 20 while Drabble was last man out, bowled for a breezy 10, with Elford all out for 134.
Week 7 - Saturday 13th June
Elford 1sts vs Solihull Municpal
WCL Div 4
No Play
0 pts
Lost by 8 wkts
Another truly shocking batting performance condemned Elford to a forth straight defeat. On a warm afternoon, only Captain Tony Allen 26 and Sam Leech 18 made it into double figures while Extras top scored with 36! Elfords innings closed 103 off 36 overs including 4 ducks helped by some poor running between the wickets. Solihull 's relpy was steady and measured and despite an early wobble, they saw the game home with 8 wickets to spare.
Week 6 - Saturday 6th June
Aston OE 1sts vs Elford 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Lost by 4 wkts
Elf 236ao
AOE 237 6
Elford poor start to the season continued as they slipped to 4 wicket defeat away at Aston OE. Having elected to bat first on a hot and breezy afternoon, the Elford top order were soon in the runs. Rob Collett top scored with his highest score of the season with 74, while Danny Hackett also impressed with 54. There were also notable contributions from, skipper Tony Allen, who displayed some big shots, picking off the leg side boundary with 27. Paul Bozward (18) looked in good touch despite not playing for a year, while the South African Scott Wilson looked ever more confident, also scoring 18. Elford eventually were bowled out in the 48 th , having posted a competitive 236.
Aston got off to a steady start and ticked along at the required runrate, picking off one bad ball an over. The drinks break couldn't come soon enough for Elford, who were starring down the barrel', with the home side well poised on 115 -0. However, the introduction of Gaz Starkey into the attack quickly resulted in the fall of wickets and return of some self belief. Aston stumbled to 123 3 in the space of a few overs as Starkey's slow right arm caused havoc. Unfortunately, with only 10 men in the field, Aston were able to exploit the gaps and rebuild their innings. Despite a late wobble thanks to Rob Collett taking 3 wickets, Aston won with 3 overs and 4 wickets to spare.
Week 5 - Saturday 30th May
Hunningham 1sts Vs Elford 1sts
WCL Div 4
No Play
4 pts each
Week 4 - Saturday 23rd May
Elford 1sts vs Wolvey 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Lost by 26 runs
Wol 134ao
Elf 108ao
Elford were left to rue their batting performance as they slipped to a narrow 26 run defeat at home to Wolvey. Having done the hard work with the ball, Elfords batsman never got going on a slow pitch. Elford elected to bowl first on a warm afternoon but were quickly rewarded as Rob Drabble picked up two early scalps. Helped by some well taken catches, most notably from Dave Emery, Elford helped peg back the visitors. Stu Edgar did well on his first bowl for the 1sts taking 3 40 off 11 while Rob Collett mopped up the innings to claim 3 35 off 12, on a good day for all the bowlers. Unfortunately, Elford only managed half the job as they slumped to 54 5 off 19 overs. Dave Emery (24) looked in good touch on his first game of the season before he was caught, while Tony Allen and Stu Edgar proceeded to try and win the game. However the pair were dismissed in quick succession leaving Rob Drabble to deliver some hefty blows and exchange views with the opposition! An unwell looking Danny Haines stonewalled' while the South African, Scott Wilson proved to be more than a capable number 11, despite playing in only his 3 rd game of cricket! However the opening bowlers proved too much for Wilson who was eventually bowled for 7, leaving Elford all out for 108, some 26 runs short.
Week 3 - Saturday 16th May
Newbold 1sts Vs Elford 1sts
WCL Div 4
No Play
4 pts each
Elford were left frustrated and rooted to the foot of the table without being able to bowl a ball.
Newbold called the game off at 11.00am.
Elford 2nds Vs Newdigate 2nds
Warwickshire Div 4a
Elf 150 7
New 72 2
Winning Draw
The Seconds managed to dodge the rain showers and claim a winning draw against Newdigate 2nds. Having batted first Elford were looking down the barrel on 30 3 off 15 overs before Tony Allen and Martin Turkington managed to steer Elford away from danger. Allen remained unbeaten with 52 while Turkington was dismissed for19. Incredibly extras were the second highest scorer with 40 as Elford posted a competitive 150 9 of 43 overs. In reply Paul Baldwin picked up a couple of wickets leaving Newdigate stranded on 72 2 of 27 overs, before another hail storm put an end to proceedings.
Week 2 - Saturday 9th May
Elford 1sts Vs Copsewood WIW 1sts
Warwickshire Div 4
Match Photos >
Lost by 6 wkts
Elf 196 8
WIW 197 4
A classy 78 from Rob Collett wasn't enough to prevent Elford slipping to their first defeat of the season. Having been inserted to bat first, Elford got off to a rocky start before Sam Leech and Rob Collett took advantage off some short bowling. Leech was unluckily run out for 19, but Collett went onto half century while being ably supported from the inform Paul Jones (23). However the quick dismissals of Collett & Jones put the skids under the Elford innings. After a few overs of scratching around at the crease, the tail was aloud to wag as Stu Edgar 26* and Rob Drabble saw Elford finish on 196 8.
Rob Drabble got Elford off to a encouraging start taking 3 early wickets. Unfortunately for Elford their good start with the ball wasn't sustained as the visitors recovered from 61 3. Former Cov Sphinx batsman Ryan Wellington 86* and Barrington Kelly 69 steadied Copsewoods Innings as they put 120 for the next wicket. Elford were left to rue some dropped catches and lack of bowling options, but took heart from a good batting performance.
Elford Sun XI vs Lichfield 2nds
Lichfield League Div 4
Won by 40 runs
A career best 63 from Matty Topham helped Elford to their first win of the season on a Sunday. Playing host to Lichfield 2nds, Elford batted first and amassed 207 thanks mainly to an attacking 63 from Matt Topham; Danny Hackett with a run ball 40 and Paul Baldwin who scored 32 off as many overs! In reply Lichfield were pegged back by a tight bowling attack with Tony Allen the pick of the bowlers with 2 14 off 8.
Week 1 - Saturday 2nd May
Haunchwood 1sts Vs Elford 1sts
WCL Div 4
Losing Draw
Hau 197 9
Elf 101 - 7
A new look Elford 1 st XI traveled to Nuneaton side Haunchwood in their opening game of the season. With only a couple of surviving members of last years side, Elford's bowling and batting attack looked a little different to previous seasons. New skipper Tony Allen won the toss and elected to bowl first on a green looking wicket. His decision paved off a few overs later when he took a wicket with a lovely slower ball. Meanwhile, Rob Drabble rolled back the years at the other end to take 1 68 with his usual guile and vigor! Rob Collett showed Elford what they'd been missing without a spin bowler, as he took a well deserved 5 53.
Elford's reply was somewhat slower, as the pitch seemed to get lower. Opener Gaz Starkey & Danny Hackett scratched away against an accurate bowling attack. Things started to look a little precarious for Elford at 51 4 with over 20 overs to go, but Sam Leech and the elevated Danny Haines looked well poised to see the game out for a draw. However, Haines ran himself out, while Leech yorked himself despite top scoring with 41. Skipper Allen went out to steady the innings, but was bowled a ball that moved about a foot! A twitchy and nervous set of bunnies looked on from the hutch. Under instructions to see out the draw at all costs, debutants Tom Marshall & Stuart Jamieson were the last line of defense before the Rob the butcher' Drabble & and the injured Steph Hollingsworth. The pair valiantly saw off the final few overs to seal a losing draw. Despite the result, Elford took a number of positives from the game into next weeks fixture against top of the table Copsewood WIW.
Elford 2nds vs Stockingford 2nds
WCL 4a
Elford won by 3 wkts
Bulk 178 5
Elf 179 7
The Seconds enjoyed opening day success as they chased down a modest total at home to Bulkington. Having been set 179 to win, keeper Paul Jones showed his class with 73 while Julian Davies saw the innings through, scoring 53 not out on his debut.
