Match Reports 2002
Match Reports
20th April - Elford 1st XI Vs Draycott & Hanbury 2nds
Elford picked up 12 points without even bowling a ball as Draycott 2nds cried off leaving Elford top the league.
27th April - Packington Vs Elford 1st XI
Elford slumped to their first defeat of the season with a disappointing performance against Leicestershire outfit Packington. Elford simply didn't post enough runs on the board to make Packington work for their victory. To make matters worse the batting order had been changed to accommodate half the team who were still driving around the local countryside looking for the ground at the due start time! Although S Smith and G Allen steadied the ship in the middle of the innings neither did enough to save the innings petering out at a measly 103.
Despite a bright start, Elford just didn't have enough runs on the board to exert enough pressure on the batsman. G Allen 2 – 30 and D Haines 2 – 18 picked up the best bowling figures. Packington crusied home with 5 wickets to spare leaving Elford with tow solitary points.
Elford 2nds / Tamworth 3rds vs Abbots Bromley
There wasn't much more to cheer from the seconds who went down to a hefty 8 wicket defeat at the hands of a useful looking Abbots Bromley. Batting first Elford were led by the experienced M Prince who top scored with 57. Opener John Ross batted for a long time to score 23, while James Found batted well to score 19 at the end of the innings. Like the Firsts, the Seconds also didn't score enough runs as Abbots Bromley knocked off Elfords total of 137 with ease. Tudor and Maynard were the only bowlers to pick up a wicket.
4th May - Marstons Vs Elford 1st XI
Elford slipped to a disappointing defeat on the last ball of the game against Burton outfit Marstons. Batting first on "sticky wicket" Elford batted well against a tight Marstons bowling attack. Not helped by a very slow outfield, it took Elford to the 6th over to score a run. Despite the slow start Elford lost their first wicket in the 25th over when Simon Carlin was caught on 40. Meanwhile a sleepy looking Stuart McNish prodded his way to a valuable 48 before being run out again. A quick fire 22 from veteran Rob Drabble helped Elford reach 154 – 7 off their 45 overs.
Marstons attacked from the start and raced to 50 – 0 off 10 overs making the game look all but over. However some tight bowling from G Allen, R Drabble and J Tooze (2 – 27) swung the game back into the balance. However it wasn't quite enough as Marstons managed to pick a hole in the field and score 2 runs off the last ball to win the game 9 points to 3. Elford play host to league leaders Hopwas next week.
Elford 2nd XI Vs Uttoxeter 2nds
The seconds also lost in a tight game against Division 3 leaders Uttoxeter. Although Elford had scored a reasonable 182, it wasn't quite enough as Uttoxeter managed to score the home teams total with 1 wicket to spare. M Page (48), T Whitehouse (37) and T Hayes (32) were the highest scoring batsman for Elford. Despite some good efforts from the Elford bowlers, It was only T Whitehouse who really shone as he took 3 for 16 off 7. Opening bowlers Tudor and Smith also bowled well to peg back the Uttoxeter batsman. Elford now have a weeks break from the League campaign.
11th May - Elford 1st XI Vs Hopwas
Elford 1sts were closely defeated by local rivals Hopwas by 25 runs in the Burton & District Division 1.
League leaders Hopwas had elected to bat first and soon made steady progress though Rich Collett who hit 68 for the visitors. However Elford plugged away and bowled and fielded well to peg pack Hopwas to 202 - 6 off 45 overs. J Husselbee finished on an unbeaten 49 for Hopwas while Gaz Allen shone with the ball as he took 3 – 38 off 11 overs.
Elfords reply started brightly, despite the early departure of Dodd, as Gaz Allen and Stu McNish led the innings. However McNish was run out for the 3rd time this season as he hit 29 while Allen played around a straight ball to be bowled for 42. Simon Smith looked to be playing well before he holed out on 34 while Rob Drabble smashed a quickfire 17 to give Elford 4 points. Elford eventually finished on 178 ao, just 25 runs short.
18th May - Whittington 1sts Vs Elford 1sts
Another poor batting performance condemned Elford to their 4th straight defeat at the hands of local rivals Whittington. Elford had put the home side into bat on a green looking wicket and made some early inroads with the bowling of Gaz Allen (2 – 27 off 12 overs). He bowled with a good combination of pace and accuracy to peg pack the Whittington attack. Backed up by Rob Drabble and Danny Haines (returning to some rare form!) Whittington could never quite accelerate the runrate until the final overs. Haines finished with 3 for 36 while Simon Carlin's spin bowling returned figures of 3 – 38.
Chasing 182 to win, Elford were let down by some poor batting and some excellent bowling from Whittington. Adam Heal was the destroyer in chief as he took a triple wicket maiden to reduce Elford to 14 for 3. From that point on it was an up hill task for Elford, despite the best efforts of Simon Carlin 32, Ben Hughes 31 and Bob Aubury 35*. Elford were left some 55 runs short as they crashed to a 10 – 2 point defeat.
Elford 2nds Vs Ashby Town
The seconds game was unfortunately washed out by mid morning. The outfield and parts of the square were completely soaked leaving two frustrated teams, especially when the sun came out mid afternoon!
25th May - Elford 1sts Vs Woodville 1sts
Elford notched up their second win of the season with a solid all round performance against top of the league outfit Woodville. After being asked to bat first Elford made steady progress through opener Stu McNish 24, Gaz Allen 33 and an impressive 50* from veteran Bob Aubury. In short, Elford batted sensibly on a difficult sticky wicket due to some early showers and managed to set Woodville 160 to win.
Tight bowling from Danny Haines and Gaz Allen kept the Woodville batsman looking for runs as the runrate started to creep up. The destroyer in chief though was the performed by the magic of Rob Drabble who managed to find 3 inside edges onto the stumps to return figures of 4 – 33 off 11. Malcolm Prince finished of the innings as his gentle pace claimed 3 for 17. Elford eventually won by 23 runs giving them 8 precious points.
Yoxall 1sts vs Elford 2nds
The seconds suffered a 9 wicket hammering at the hands of Yoxall who easily overcame Elford meagre total of 74 all out. Only Eric Dodd and Tim Whitehouse managed to trouble the scorers to any great lengths. Elford solitary wicket was claimed by the improving Tony Allen.
1st June - Barton 1sts Vs Elford 1sts
The first XI enjoyed a 5 wicket win at Barton. The home side were bowled out for for just 123 with Danny Haines (4 - 30) and youngster James Tooze (4 - 35) doing the damage for Elford. Elford then proceeded to knock off the required runs thanks mainly to an beaten 35 from Alan Bowler and Rob Drabble's 43 off just 34 balls.
8th June - Elford 1sts Vs Wilnecote 1sts
Elford made the most of winning the toss and bowled very well to trouble the Wilnecote Batsman on a wet looking pitch. Gaz Allen & Danny Haines bowled tightly to to hold the batsman back before Ben Hughes took 3 wickets on his return to action. James Tooze looked lively with the ball while Simon Smith was very economical. Wilnecote eventually finished on 131 - 9 (T Hilton 43). In reply, Elford were led by some steady batting from opener Simon Carlin, while Allen showed real grit in hitting 72 before being caught in the final over. Elford wrapped up the points as James Tooze hit the winning runs with 2 balls to go finished on 132 - 5.
Centre Set Vs Elford 2nds
The 2nds beat Centre Set by 36 runs to record their second win of the season. Batting first, Elford worked hard on a damp pitch. Rob Vickers was the star of the show as he hit his season best score of 46. Backed up by D White (26) and some reasonable knocks down the innings, Elford racked up 156 - 7. In reply Centre Set crashed to 19 - 5 as Steve Tudor took 3 - 8 off 11 overs, while Vickers took 2 0 20 off 8. Center recovered to 118 - 6 off 45 over leaving Elford with 9 desperately needed points.
15th June - Alrewas 2nds Vs Elford 1sts
Elfords recent good form came to a crashed end as they were out batted by local rivals Alrewas.
After somewhat strangely elected to bowl first (especially as three players were late on arrival), Alrewas made steady progress. However although Ben Hughes and Gaz Allen had picked up early wickets, the Alrewas middle order took Elford to the cleaners. Former Elford youngster Alex Gray helped himself to 93 off some wayward bowling while Houston and Burton also scored well with 2 fine performances. Alrewas smashed their way to 292 – 4 thanks to some appalling fielding and distinctly average bowling. In reply Elford never looked in trouble against Alrewas's bowling attack, as Simon Carlin managed to carry his bat while scoring 92*. Simon Smith 39 and Ben Hughes 29 also batted well, but in the end 290 was just to many to chase as Elford finished on 219 – 4.
Elford 2nds Vs Woodville 2nds
The Seconds picked up their second win of the season as they saw off Woodville with a 48 run victory. Batting first Elford had posted a modest total off 123 – 9 with Alan Bowler (35) and Rob Wright (23) top scoring. In reply Elford bowled and fielded superbly to dismiss Woodville for a meagre 75 all out. Rob Vickers 4 – 16, Tony Allen 3 – 20 and R Baker 2 for 13 were the pick off the Elford attack.
Acton Trussell Vs Elford
The Sunday XI suffered a humiliating 126 run defeat at the hands of Acton Trussell. Acton had set Elford a target off 165 to win but this was all to much for an Elford side with just 9 players. Tony Allen 4 for 28 and Ant Wright 2 for 30 were the main wicket takers while only Dave Riley managed to get into double figures with the bat. Elford were skittled for just 38 a new record low score for the Sunday XI in the Lichfield League.
22nd June - Elford 1sts Vs Burton 2nds
A dismal effort with the bat was Elford's downfall against basement club Burton 2nds. They were bowled out for just 100. The fact that Dave Rogers 16 was top score followed by extras on 12, said it all. It was totally inadequate for Elford attack to defend despite Gaz Allen 3 - 26 off 9. But Burton ended with a 6 and were comfortably home on 106 - 5.
29th June - Tutbury 2nds Vs Elford 1sts
Elford got back to winning ways with an excellent all round performance against mid tabled Tutbury. After some what surprisingly being asked to bat, Elford made Tutbury pay as they piled on the runs with Skipper Ben Hughes scoring a very well earned 42. Supported by Simon Carlin (22) Elford then left in to the middle order to take the game as Gaz Allen hit his second half-century of the season. Simon Smith top scored with a personal best for the club as his priceless knock off 63 pushed the score well over 200. The final overs saw a typical Rob Drabble innings as he smashed 40* helped by Ant Wright 15*. Elfords innings finished on a season best 259 – 6.
Tutbury got off to a good start despite the best efforts of the Elford opening attack. However some excellent fielding from Rob Vickers and brilliant spin bowling from Ant Wright helped put the game beyond Tutbury. A Wright finished with Season best figures of 5 – 38 while his older Brother Rob took 4 catches behind the stumps. Rob Drabble bowled well to take 3 – 25 off 10 to finish off Tutbury as they collapsed from 103 – 1 to 182 all out.
6th July - Draycott & Hanbury 2nds Vs Elford 1sts
Elford slipped to defeat in the final over of the game in a thrilling division 1 encounter at Draycott & Hanbury. Batting first, Elford were in all sorts of trouble as the bowler friendly wicket produced all sorts of difficult deliveries. Gaz Allen and Ben Hughes were the only top order batsman to make an impact with both scoring 12. However with them departed it was left for the unlikely trio of Rob Drabble, James Paulson and Danny Haines to rescue the innings. At 55 – 7 off 23 overs, Rob Drabble decided to butcher his way to a season best of 56 of just 33 balls. With Drabble in fine form it allowed Paulson (22) and Danny Haines (20) to play around him and steer the side to a respectable 169 all out.
Elford got off to a flyer as Danny Haines took 3 for 21 off 12 overs while supported by Gaz Allen 1 for 42 of 12. At 33 – 3 Draycott were in similar problems although like Elford they managed to dig themselves out of trouble and make Elford work for every ball. However some superb wicket keeping from Rob Wright (7 catches in 2 games) and some wryly bowling from Rob Drabble put the skids on Draycott. He took 3 for 40 of 12 leaving a tight climax to the game. With one over to go Draycott needed 9 runs to win with only 2 wickets left, but unfortunately for Elford they scraped home with one ball to go leaving Elford with 4 points.
13th July - Elford 1st Vs Packington 1st
Elford got back to winning ways with a solid all round team performance despite only fielding 10 players. Batting first on a damp wicket, Elford got off to a shocker as they slipped to 11 – 2 off 8 overs. However the ever in form Gaz Allen and the out of form Rob Vickers steered Elford back off the rocks. Allen hit a invaluable 41 while Vickers scored a season best 29. Ant Wright led the innings from then on as he hit 43 finishing not out yet again this season. A late blast from James Paulson (21) pushed Elford to 167 – 8 off their 45 overs.
In reply Packington were tied back by the tight bowling from Gaz Allen and Danny Haines to allow the runrate to slowly creep up. From that point on Rob Drabble then took his obligatory stackfull of wickets in every delivery possible, as he took 5 – 36 off 12. From 97 – 6, Packington then fell apart as Ben Hughes and Ant Wright took the remaining wickets to leave Packington 26 runs short of victory.
Abbots Bromley 1sts Vs Elford 2nds
The seconds fine form finally came to a end as they were comfortably beat by run away league leaders Abbots Bromley. Abbots stacked a somewhat meagre total of 188 on their small ground but it was enough to see off a tame batting display from Elford. Tony Allen was the main attack as he took 4 – 28 off 8, while Eric Dodd top scored on the batting front with 25. Abbots Bowling attack of Stevenson and Ronson was enough to dismiss Elford for 116 leaving them 2 points out of the game.
Hopwas Sun XI Vs Elford Sun XI
Elford suffered a mauling at the hands of Hopwas as they were well beat by over 90 runs. Hopwas had amounted 278 – 8 (J Husselbee 71, M McDonald 62) while enjoying batting in the sunshine. J Boden 3 – 35 and Skipper Tony Allen 2 – 44 were the main wicket takers. However Hopwas's Total was to much for Elford despite a typical James Paulson innings (40) and a rather rare but valuable 47 from Martin Ross. In then end though Elford just managed to grab a point with the final ball.
20th July - Elford 1sts Vs Marstons 1sts
Elford moved yet a little closer to a top two spot as they comfortably beat forth placed Marstons by 55 runs. Having being asked to bat first on a damp wicket, Elford set about the innings in a very solid fashion. Unfortunately a little bad luck with a couple of batsman and Elford found themselves two wickets down early on. It was left to the in form Ant Wright to lead the Elford Innings as he hit his third half century of his career scoring 51*. Possibly more remarkable is the fact that he has only been out once this season which leaves him with an average of 150! Supported by Rob Vickers 25 and Dave Rogers 23* the trio led Elford to 160 – 7 of 45 overs.
In reply Marstons crashed from 71 – 1 to 105 all out as some excellent bowling and outstanding fielding saw a deluge of wickets fall in quick succession. Rob Drabble took another match winning performance of 5 – 20 off 9, while Danny Haines took 3 – 44 off 12. However the team spirit and the brilliant fielding was the key to the victory as Elford never gave up as they saw off another higher placed league team.
Uttoxeter 2nds Vs Elford 2nds
The seconds produced a superb result away at the Racehorse Ground in Uttoxeter. After being asked to bat first they amassed 202 – 9 with some very tidy knocks all the way down the innings. Eric Dodd (35) got the game flowing while Tim Whitehouse (39) and Dave Riley (35) steered the innings past 200. With a decent score to defend it allowed the bowlers a certain confidence as they produced the goods and saw the homeside all out for just 101, leaving Elford with 12 points. All the wickets were taken by the bowling trio of James Tooze 3 – 20, Tim Whitehouse 4 – 10 and Tony Allen 3 – 36.
Elford Sun XI Vs Lichfield Friary Grange
Runaway league leaders Friary Grange comprehensively beat the Sunday side as they crashed to a 98 run defeat. Batting first Friary posted 218 – 6 (Tom Riley 3 – 39), before then proceeding to peg Elford down to 120 – 9 (M Spaleon 24). On the lighter side Elford did however manage 1 point as stand in Dave Allen scored a 4 off the last ball.
(27th July Hopwas + 3rd August Whittington Reports Missing)
10th August - Woodville 1sts Vs Elford 1sts
Elford kept their promotion hopes alive with a very competent team performance as they beat second placed Woodville by 7 wickets. Woodville were taken to pieces by some very tidy bowling spells with Gaz Allen 4 – 14 and Danny Haines 4 – 15 taking the majority of the wickets. Woodville mananed a meagre 79 which posed very little threat to the Elford batsman. Rob Vickers (24) and Gaz Allen (31) were the leading run makers as Elford saw the job through with 7 wickets to spare.
Elford 2nds Vs Yoxall 1sts
The Second team managed one better than the firsts as they saw off 3rd placed Yoxall with a brilliant 10 wicket victory. Yoxall batted first and scored a paltry 73 with extras top scoring with 25! R Barker took 5 – 28 while Tony Allen took 2 – 6. In reply openers Eric Dodd (32*) and James Tooze (25*) eased themselves to victory without any other help from the rest of the batsman as they past Yoxalls total with 10 wickets to spare.
Alrewas Sun XI vs Elford Sun XI
Despite already relegated, the Sunday Side also produced a very good result as they overcame Alrewas by 6 wickets. Alrewas had managed 145 ao with James Boden 3 – 15 and D Westwood 2 – 37 the leading wicket takers. In reply two very good knocks from Skipper Tony Allen (40) and newcomer G Starkey (51*) led Elford to 146 – 4 and 10 more points.
17th August - Elford 1sts Vs Barton 1sts
Elford kept their promotion hopes alive with a 1 run victory over second placed Barton on a beautiful summer's afternoon. Elford won the toss and made the best of conditions by batting first with the ever-consistent Simon Carlin (31) leading the way. However the man of the day was the debutante Australian Gene Maurice. Having not played in over a year the former Cannock and South Melbourne player set about Barton's attack by notching up 68 in just 78 balls including 2 very big sixes! With Maurice and Carlin it was left to Tim Whitehouse (33*) and Ant Wright (27) to take over the charge as the pair led Elford to 212 – 8.
Despite the impressive batting, Barton looked in good shape as they raced to 122 – 0 off just 24 overs. However the game swung round with the Maurice's spell of 3 – 40 off as he and Ben Hughes bowled well in tandem. With sharp fielding and tighter bowling Elford clawed their way back into the game. With one wicket in hand Barton needed to score 3 off the final ball to win, but could only manage a leg bye leaving them 1 short and rewarding Elford with 8 more valuable points.
(24th August Wilnecote Reports Missing)
31st August - Elford 1sts Vs Alrewas 2nds
Elford notched up a comprehensive victory against locals rivals Alrewas to keep alive their slim chances of promotion. Star of the show was the Australian Gene Maurice who scored an very impressive 111 of just 123 balls. While Maurice played his game it allowed the rest of the batsman to play some very good little cameos around him. Opener Simon Carlin played very well for his 49 while Gaz Allen scored 48 with the majority of the shots being boundaries.
With 247 on the board Elford always felt confident of defending the total, and were given the best possible start as Gaz Allen swept through to top order to take a seasons best of 5 – 25. Rob Drabble and Ben Hughes chipped in with their usual array of wickets as Alrewas were pegged back and eventually bowled out some 80 runs short of Elford s total. Another very good win for Elford who showed what might have been if they had batted, bowled and fielded as well as this throughout the season.
7th September - Burton 2nds Vs Elford 1sts
Elford notched up another solid all round performance with a comfortable victory over bottom placed outfit, Burton 2nds. Batting first Elford were led by the in form Rob Vickers who batted stoutly to make a season best 67 not out. Vickers and leading run scorer Gaz Allen (42) led Elford past the 100 mark before a couple of quick wickets saw Elford slump to 124 – 4 off 30 overs. However it was the turn of younger Allen brother Tony to take the game on as he scored his highest total for the firsts with an unbeaten 36.
Chasing 199 to win, Burton never looked like making the required runs as Elfords Bowlers pegged back the Burton attack. Gaz Allen 2 – 16, Rob Drabble 2 – 20 and Ant Wright 2 – 23 were the leading wicket takers while Danny Haines bowled well without luck. Supported by good fielding and well-taken catches Elford pegged Burton down to 123 for 6 at close of play, leaving Elford with a 10 – 2 point victory.
14th September - Elford Vs Tutbury 2nds
Elford 1st XI finished the season on a high as they notched up their first 12 – 0 point victory of the season to run in 4th placed in Divisoin1 of the Burton League. Batting first Elford hit 260 – 5, with Simon Smith top scoring with an unbeaten 105 off just 112 balls. Rob Drabble 38,Gaz Allen 33* and Simon Carlin 31 supported Smith as all 4 batsman managed to pass the 300 run mark for the season. In reply Danny Haines finished with 4 – 44 as Elford bowled out Tutbury for 158.
