The Curse of 250.

"Tom we need one off four balls make sure we get 250" Lee said as Webster strode purposefully to the crease to replace Elvis. Oh dear. 250 would normally be a good thing but not when you play for Rayleigh Fairview. Tom did what he was told we got 250, full batting bonus points, thanks very much! A very solid eight out of ten tea followed and we went back out onto the field feeling confident.

Misplaced. Somehow that confidence was exactly that, and some of us misplaced our abilities too. What followed was a 41.2 over horror show. "Nice to be not trying to defend 85" I had joked with Lee earlier, I am not sure we would of defended 385 if it had come to it. Dropped catches (wakey wakey Tom), a missed run out (I've never had much of an arm, sorry), and a 15 yard boundary we just couldn't defend. Our 11th man was also misplaced at Football Tournament until it was too late for him to make it. Make of that what you will. The solitary moment of joy was all of Elvis' own doing taking an excellent one handed chance off his own bowling.

The batting began brightly Jellbum and Matt Feather pushing the score along nicely until Jellet decided he was bored and it was time for someone else to have a go. Soon after both McLeans had been dismissed and we were in a little trouble. In came Elvis just the man for the moment. Matt continued on his merry way passing 50 before taking a beamer on the side of the head. Fair play to him he got up, unfazed and ended up carrying his bat for a maiden century of 102. Elvis sent pensioners and scorers diving for cover as he peppered the long off and long on boundaries and there we were 250-4 in 45 overs, Job Done. Or so we thought.

The 1s snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Great Waltham. Niall's big paw clutching a smart return catch to seal the deal with 7 runs to spare after Jamie set things up with terrific figures of 6-39 from his full allocation. A top bowling effort from all to defend a modest 164-5 made mainly thanks to Spenny who top scored with 75.

In the 3s it was Kelvin, Alan and the kids against high flying Rainham 2's and it didn't last long. Batting first they were knocked over for 79 and Cuddles' middle stump is still cartwheeling now!

Sunday marvellous Sunday

We were promised sun, it didn't arrive until we had all but lost. The opening pair promised runs. They didn't arrive either and even worse Phil Turner's daughter didn't arrive which nearly ended up with the game being called off! Hugh Henry and his guts certainly arrived though and shortly after so did 8 overs 4 for 17. Our top order departed. Swiftly. Phil Turner offered some resistance with 15 then I somehow hacked and carved my way to 20 and we crept up to 95 all out in 34.5 overs. Minds were elsewhere. Sorry Phil and Joe!

Facing a steep challenge, Jellet caught one at short mid off in the first over and Anson's were 1-1 and when Big Ash Faires struck they were wobbling at 22-2. A run out and a wicket from Jamie had them 72-4 but Ansons walked it in the end. That rarest of things was even seen as Jellet somehow got a wicket with the funniest bowling ever seen at the Sports & Social Club. Comedy genius and a fitting end to a match played in the right way!

Results

RFCC 1st XI 164-5 (22pts) beat Great Waltham CC 1st XI 157-10 (3pts) by 7 runs.
Danbury CC 1st XI 251-1 (26pts) beat RFCC 2nd XI 250-4 (5pts) by 9 wickets.
Rainham CC (Essex) 2nd XI 81-4 (26pts) beat RFCC 3rd XI 79-10 (2pts) by 6 wickets.
RFCC Sunday XI 95-10 lost to Anson St George CC Sunday XI 96-5 by 5 wickets.

* The views expressed within this blog are expressly my own and are not in anyway attributable to Rayleigh Fairview Cricket Club or any person connected to it in any way.