EYMET v. DORKING, 14th July

Report by Nigel Jones

450 runs in an afternoon of 70 overs !

With Captain David Horlock hitting a rich seam of form with the coin, Eymet elected to bat first in this now traditional fixture against Dorking. Parnerships win matches and David and Simon Palmer showed how this was done. Normal Eymet service was restored as they dominated the bowling. Dorking had a tidy opening attack and they had their chances, both Eymet men being dropped. After 10 we had reached 54 for no wicket. To add insult to injury, Horlock and Palmer then began to cut loose and sixes peppered the grandstand roof. By 20 overs we had 139 on the scoreboard. It was all too much for Simon who hobbled off after a fine 79. David then eased his way to a deserved hundred before following Simon's example – not hobbling though. Dorking were definitely on the back foot and this allowed Sam Harrell and Nigel Jones to get after them. With fours difficult to come by on a heavy outfield, Sam and Nigel ran like ferrets. The exception was a glorious Sam slog/sweep off the opener for six. They added 60 in 8 overs before Nigel fell for 28. Enter Tom Hinds for a nice little cameo to close our innings on 253 off our full complement of 35 overs. Sam was left unbeaten for 37.

It was a big ask for Dorking on a soggy outfield but they went for it. They had two classy young openers who have played a good level of cricket: Yandell and Gillott ran like greyhounds! Singles were taken with impunity and Gillott, in particular, punished anything short or wide. At 147 off 22 Dorking were looking like a good bet. But all that running must have taken its toll, and Marcus Swift grabbed the key wicket of Gillott for 93, caught skilfully by keeper Sam off a leg-side snorter. Then enter Bill Rhodes - Pakistan may have the fastest bowlers in the world but we've got Bill....... the slowest bowler in the world ! He was dreadfully difficult to get away and Dorking started to get frustrated. Cue, two wickets for Bill. Then Alan Coombe and Vince Morgan both returned to snatch wickets as Dorking began to fall behind the clock. Vince removed the dangerous Yandell for 67. By now it was all but over as Matt Hinds glided in to take a debut wicket for Eymet. Dorking closed on 198.

We then relaxed over a cold premium beer provided by our generous sponsors : l’Epicerie Anglaise, the English shop in Eymet.
EYMET 253 for 1 (Horlock 101 retd., Palmer 79 retd., Harrell 37 not out) 35 overs
DORKING 198 for 7 (Rhodes 2-37, Swift 2-41)

 

Angoulême 115 – 9 (20.5 overs) Manawar 50.  Marcus 3-19, Cobra 3-36, Bish 2-29.

Eymet 103 – 9 ( 27.5 overs)  Marcus 39, extras 27, Anis 5-30