E&MWCC Clinch Vital Win Over Fareham And Crofton

As E&MWCC arrived at Fareham Cricket Club, most having circled around the Portsmouth suburb looking for the ground, play looked uncertain. Gale force winds, rain and an icy chill in the air did not excite the senses on this occasion. After some convincing the toss was made and E&MWCC were put in to bat.

Sparks and Kite fell in the first and second over respectively without scoring after good length balls turned nasty on a pitch that looked dangerous in the early stages of both innings. Things soon calmed down as Mark Padwick and new signing James Halle-Smith pushed the innings forward. Halle-Smith's stroke play was immaculate as he moved steadily toward his 50. Padwick chipped the ball to mid-wicket after an unlucky bounce which bought club pro James Schofield to the crease. He and Halle-Smith created a passage of play that took the game away from FCCC. Schofield smashed 21 of one over beating the field and occasionally hitting straight through the field for a barrage of fours and maximums. Halle-Smith concluded his debut on 61 as he was given LBW on the sweep, an intelligent and skilled innings. Schofield smashed his way to 72 before he was dismissed in the 45th over. E&MWCC faltered slightly in the latter overs as they failed to target 225 for an extra batting point but Adam Carrick showed good intent before being caught at backward point. E&MWCC finished on 213 all out from 48 overs after cameos from a wounded Trevor Yeates, Alex Banks and Seb Stanard.

Kite and Carrick opened as the winds picked up further bringing with it a steady drizzle. Both bowlers dominated early as both FCCC openers failed to work the full ball away. Padwick replaced Kite and continued to build the pressure leading to an excellent run out by Carrick at backward point. One stump to aim at, as rehearsed on so many thursday evenings training. A key breakthrough as James Schofield ripped into the FCCC middle order as wickets continued to tumble. Halle-Smith gave excellent support with the ball and took a superb catch at deep mid-wicket. The game very much still in the balance, Carrick and Kite returned to bowl Kite removing the remaining opener who had limped to 50 from 40 overs. An elaborate leave saw the FCCC captain bowled by one that nipped back in as victory looked assured. Kite finished on 4/33 from his 10 and Carrick 1/33 from his but deserved more.

An excellent win for the side, a testament to the good work being done in training and the influence that Schofield has had on the side. The side did everything but win at H&NBCC so this win could so easily have been the third win in a row as the 1st XI continue to climb the league tables.

E&MWCC 1st XI Vs. Fareham & Crofton CC

1. John Sparks
2. Adam Kite
3. Mark Padwick (C)
4. James Halle-Smith
5. James Schofield
6. Sam Dickety
7. Jordon Banks +
8. Trevor Yeates
9. Seb Stanard
10. Adam Carrick
11. Alex Banks