Bordeaux CC v EYMET CC – Siddalls Cup Sunday 25 July

“Time for a Cup Run” exhorted the Skipper, but after qualifying for the League Play-Offs, Eymet now faced the formidable task of overcoming the Super-Liguers from Bordeuax 1st XI at Chateau Giscours in the Medoc.

Skipper Sam won the toss again, proving that he has the secret formula right, and elected to bat. Eymet fielded a team without several stars but welcomed Stephen Bailey and Paul Dixon for their first match. Eymet began well with Simon Palmer clubbing three marvellous 4s to the boundary, but his next attempt proved one too far, with Bordeaux plucking a brilliant catch as the ball thundered towards another 4. Meanwhile, Bordeaux were up to nefarious tactics beyond the boundary ropes, plying the Eymet touchline with wonderful Margaux wine. Was it those oaky fumes or simply the alcohol content that led to the impending disaster? Who knows, but Eymet had suddenly slipped to 34-6 with yet another middle-order collapse, and an early bath looked to be on the cards. But this time the tail wagged, with Stephen Bailey, and then Vince Morgan, who had hardly troubled the scorer’s pencil this season, mounting the fightback. Even the Cobra got in on the act as Eymet batted out their full 35 overs and finished at 98-9, a recovery, but probably not enough to bowl out a Super-Ligue side.

 

Bordeaux began the chase with David Horlock, the former Eymet Skipper, who must now be a Mutant (or perhaps an X-man), having suffered a “mutation” to Bordeaux for the season. Apart from tight bowling Bish decided the best tactic was good old-fashioned sledging, first poking fun at his pink helmet, and then guffawing at running 3 runs, which he never did at Eymet. David responded with trademark flicks to the leg-side but Bish had the last laugh, tempting him to drive with Simon Palmer taking the catch at slip. Simon then picked up his own wicket and at 63-2 with wickets falling, and the run-rate slowing, Eymet sniffed a chance. Alas, the moment passed. Simon almost held onto a sharp caught and bowled from the new batsman but there were few further chances and Bordeaux cantered to a win.

 

At the post-match drinks the Margaux was switched for Haut-Medoc and minds focused on the Play-Offs next week. It was also revealed that the Cobra thought that Eymet would never make it to Giscours for the day. With his information radar once again off-beam he had urged all to get there early lest the team became confused with Contador and Schleck on their quest for glory. Indeed, the Tour de France had passed the doors of Giscours on the previous day but they were now battling it out in Paris with Eymet’s Fabio in close attendance. The Eymet legend had achieved such fame in this column that he had been selected as bagman for the Tour hierarchy, a plum summer job. With such experience under his belt readers can only guess what job he will get at the next match ………….

 

RESULT: BORDEAUX 1st XI WIN BY 8 WICKETS

 

EYMET 98-9 off 35 overs (V.Morgan 36 n.o, S.Bailey 18, Reeves 4-12)

BORDEAUX 101-2 off 22.1 overs (Pinsent 33, Ferreira 29 n.o, T.Bishop 1-16)

 

EYMET: S.Harrell, S.Palmer, B.Rhodes, C.Farrell, J.Fabb, S.Bailey, T.Bishop G.Taylor, V.Morgan, P.Dixon, A.Coombe.