ANGOULEME v EYMET CC, Sunday 11 July

Time for “Le Crunch” as Eymet faced “Wham, Bam” Angouleme at Mansle on Sunday. Due to the previous weekend’s results, both teams knew that they had already qualified for the Sud Ouest Play-Offs, but this match would decide the table-topper and the easier passage to the Grand Final.

Skipper lost the toss for the first time this season, and on a small ground, and without their 3 best bowlers, Eymet faced the inevitable frenzy of sixes, it is the only way that Angouleme knows how to play. Terry “Bish” Bishop and Chris Farrell, the summer sojourn members, were welcomed back for their first game of the season. Eymet struck the early blow, with Ma Usman, 2009’s best batsman in France, removed by Fabio Graham for just a few. Unfortunately, Arshed had already been dropped, and he proceeded to be dropped, dropped and dropped again as he clubbed 7 sixes in a race to 99-1 off just 10 overs. Bish entered the fray to stem the tide, and suddenly the catches started to stick, Simon Palmer snapping up 2 sharp chances at slip. After 20 overs the score stood at 121-6, a complete turnaround, but Angouleme still had a few more biffers to go. 9 more sixes flew over the boundary before the end but the wickets tumbled too, with more fine catches, Glyn Taylor leaping like a whale to pluck the dangerous Mo Usman out of mid-air. Angouleme finished on 191 from 27 overs with Bish taking 5-29 and a couple of wickets apiece for Chris Farrell and Mike Gear.

During the traditional curry lunch it was noted that Arshed’s six-hitting must be fuelled by biryani, as he consumed a massive plate of the stuff, and some decided to follow suit. Was this the reason for Simon Palmer’s 6 off the first ball as Eymet began confidently on the run chase? Eymet reached 75-0 off 12 overs and were well ahead of the run-rate at the first drinks break. Alas, the drinks break often triggers a turning point in a cricket match, and both Simon and Mike Gear fell in the next 2 overs. The middle order included 3 of the heroes from the victory over Angouleme in the Spring, and they were expected to stop the rot, but 5 men made only 10 runs and the Eymet vuvuzelas went silent. A brief flurry from Fabio and a rare boundary for the Cobra were the only further bright spots as Eymet were bowled out for 113 from 28 overs, ironically lasting one over longer than Angouleme! Eymet had been undone again by accurate bowling, emphasised by the 6 players who were clean-bowled.

During drinks the disconsolate Eymet team pondered on the source of Fabio’s nickname. Some thought it was due to his regular punditry in the World Cup, but as is often the case, the Cobra was at the centre of this mystery. Confusing our 2 newcomers at the start of the season (John Fabb and Andrew Graham) the poor chap had given the obvious nickname to the wrong man. The rest, as they say, is history ……….

 

RESULT: ANGOULEME WIN BY 78 RUNS

 

ANGOULEME 191 off 27 overs (Arshed 66, Mo Usman 31, Saeed 34 n.o. , T Bishop 5-29, C Farrell 2-24, M Gear 2-18)

 

EYMET 113 off 28 overs (S.Palmer 47, M.Gear 25 M.Larter 4-16, G Clulee 3-6)

 

EYMET: S.Harrell, S.Palmer, M.Gear, B.Rhodes, J.Fabb, C.Farrell, T.Bishop, A.Graham, G.Taylor, A.Coombe, T.Hinds.