EYMET CC v Dorking Dad’s Army, Wednesday 14 July

After a couple of maulings from the young lions of France U17 and Angouleme, Eymet welcomed much more venerable opposition in the shape of Dorking Dad’s Army. The General was particularly happy as he thought there may be troops on display.

This was the 10th anniversary of this traditional Bastille Day fixture and the Skipper obliged the visitors by losing the toss. Dorking batted first and Eymet countered the experienced threat with Fabio and its own Silver Fox, Mike Stratford. Economy was the name of the game, and the 2 openers kept the run-rate low but no wickets fell. After 14 overs the Skipper introduced the Ultra-Slows, with Billy Rhodes ably supported by Eymet’s own young lion, Noah, a left arm spinner, and the first to play from the new youth academy. Billy struck twice with Tiger Tim Smith holding his customary spectacular catch of the season and Noah holding the 2nd. But Dorking had a couple of bats who knew what to do, and at 114-2 with 10 overs to play, Eymet needed divine intervention. It arrived in the form of God Almighty. At the risk of upsetting our religious readers this exclamation was clearly heard when the Skipper tossed the ball to Tom Hinds for a bowl. Cricket is a strange game and the wobbly run, with the wobbly arm, delivered a wobbly ball. Lightening struck twice as Tiger Tim leapt forward to hold a catch inches from the ground. A couple of smart stumpings followed, plus a clean bowled, and Tom had 4 wickets. Fabio was shaking his head in disbelief. Chris Farrell’s accuracy did the job at the other end and Dorking finished at a measly 159-9 of their 35 overs.

 

Eymet responded by opening the batting with Tiger Tim and Mike Gear. Now Tiger Tim must be named after that British bloke who used to play at Wimbledon, perhaps because the expectations and achievements with the bat never quite match, but with 2 splendid catches under his belt our new hero had different ideas. Blocking, driving, and running, without getting run-out, he and Mike added 71 for the first wicket. Tiger departed for 25 and Simon Palmer took up the fight. He fell cheaply by his own high standards but the momentum was maintained. This left Skipper Sam to join Mike and close on the target. Fifteen was hit in one over and Eymet needed only 4 runs to win with 3 overs to play. At this point Dorking introduced their own young lion, who was even smaller than Noah. Instead of thumping him to the boundary Sam and Mike prodded and poked for victory so as not to dishearten the young lad. Unfortunately for Mike the young blighter confused him with a slow one and he departed for a brilliant 80, his top score of the season. Fabio arrived, stood no such nonsense, and soon clipped off the runs for the win.

 

During drinks the President delivered his normal eloquent speech, thanking all for their efforts. Dorking replied by pointing out that the match series was now 5-all and immediately requested a fixture for next year. Eymet claimed the wine from our sponsor, The Pizzeria, and all went off happily to see more fireworks, but this time the real ones in Bergerac.

 

RESULT: EYMET WIN BY 7 WICKETS

 

DORKING 159-9 off 35 overs (Entwistle 48, Austin 32 , T.Hinds 4-17, C.Farrell 3-20, B.Rhodes 2-40)

EYMET 160-3 off 33.1 overs (M.Gear 80, T.Smith 25, S.Harrell 24 n.o.)

 

EYMET: S.Harrell, S.Palmer, M.Gear, B.Rhodes, T.Smith, C.Farrell, M.Stratford, A.Graham, G.Taylor,Noah, T.Hinds.