Eymet v. Angoulême – Away – 28th June.

Report by David Horlock

Eymet travelled to Angoulême for the first time with dreams of winning the League - sitting atop by 21 points, but having played a game more than both Bordeaux and Angoulême. A full bonus point win would really put Bordeaux under pressure and finish off Angoulême’s aspirations.

So, on a scorching hot day the toss was lost and we were in the field. The ground was situated between the perimeter of a dog track and race track, and Angoulême’s batters set off as though they were crossed between Desert Orchid and Ballymena Bob, racing to 35 off just 3 overs! A mixture of good shots, luck and wild swings. A swing and a miss at a straight one in Vince Morgan’s second over calmed some nerves, and the early introduction of Terry Bishop’s spinners helped slow the run rate, as he took two early wickets. Marcus Swift replaced Vince and bowled a fine spell to take 3- 19, including the key wicket of Usman Manawar for 50, to leave Angoulême teetering on 97 for 5, in only the 13th over. Alan ‘The Cobra’ Coombe was recalled to wrap up the tail, which he duly did with the help of three catches of increasing difficulty from Sam Harrell, the Skipper Horlock and finally a triple salko, double pike stunning effort from Tom Hinds that will involve a massive laundry bill!

Tea was an excellent curry from Saeed’s restaurant, as thoughts turned to knocking off the 116 to win. Surely all that was required was a steady opening partnership, some sensible batting and a regulation seven wicket win! Oh dear, opening partnership of 5, skipper out playing across the line!! And in the air!! Simon Palmer struggled with his timing and Sam dug in against Anis, who is probably the quickest bowler in the League. Sam gloved a lifter to be well caught at slip, Simon and Tom were undone by balls that kept low, and when Mike Stratford unerringly picked out gully we had slipped to 28 –5 in 10 overs.

Thankfully, we still had the bowlers and Bill Rhodes to come: firstly Marcus and Bill added 24 to give the scoreboard a touch of respectability, then Vince helped Marcus add a further 24 to get to 76, before he was bowled by a fine in-swinger. Bish joined Marcus and batted with an air of calmness that escaped everyone else on the field. Marcus survived a nasty blow on the arm, and kept on scoring with a really gutsy knock. Angoulême recalled Anis to apply the coup de grace, but his last 2 overs were negotiated well, and five wides swung the game towards Eymet. The 100 came up and we dared to dream - only 16 to win! Saeed was brought on to bowl and he served up a fine delivery to end Bish’s stubborn resistance, 101 for 8 (we only had 10 players!). The Cobra strode to the crease and stole a single of the last ball of the over to keep the strike! Luckily he managed a leg bye soon afterwards, and brought Marcus back on strike, only 13 needed! However a famous victory was denied when Marcus’ fine innings was ended by a jaffer from Zahaid.

With only one player getting into double figures we didn’t really deserve to win! Congratulations to Angoulême who now go on to contest the League against Bordeaux over the last game of the season. Overall Eymet’s batting in this League season has been disappointing, with not enough players batting long enough to make decent scores. The bowling has been well led by the tireless Cobra, and he and Vince have formed a formidable opening pair. Bish has added a degree of guile and Marcus is never far from the money. The fielding for a bunch of old blokes has been good, and Sam has been a great addition behind the stumps.

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