Cranham humble Eastcombe

The mouth-watering rematch with Eastcombe proved to be a game that would 
go down in the annals of Stroud League history as the all-conquering league 
leaders finally relinquished their two year unbeaten run.  

Winning the toss, Eastcombe skipper Anth Perrins inserted the hosts on a 
sticky track that had bore the brunt of earlier showers.  Openers Alex 
Pockett and Charlie Pritchard made a fine start, however, as the pair 
accumulated 52 from 15 overs before Pritchard mis-cued to mid-off for 23.  

James Pockett joined brother Alex at the crease but the partnership wasn't 
to last long as the former was caught behind off the accurate line of Steve 
Taylor for 12.  Brad Mears then departed cheaply for 3 off the bowling of 
Morgan to leave Cranham on 88-2.  Nathan Moore joined the skipper at the 
crease during which Alex Pockett  recorded a half-century before gloving 
behind to Taylor for 56.

Moore then cracked two sixes in a quick-fire 25 before falling to an excellent 
catch in the deep of the bowling of Ward.  At 112-4 in the 32nd over Cranham 
needed some quick runs if they were to post a competitive total.  It wasn't 
to be however as none of the lower-order reached double figures and Cranham 
were bowled out for 148.  Given Eastcombes batting prowess, it didn't feel 
enough.

Perhaps inspired by the excellent tea courtesy of the Mears family, Cranham 
made a dream start as James Pockett and Charlie Overs reduced Eastcombe to 
16-4.  Skipper Anth Perrins and Simon Ward then dug in to form an obdurate 
partnership that was eventually broken by a superb piece of skill behind 
the stumps from Alex Pockett who stumped Perrins off the bowling of James 
Pockett to open the floodgates.

With flashbacks of the previous fixture in their minds, Cranham were determined
not to let this one slip from their grasp.  Despite a stubborn 28 not out from 
the seemingly irremovable Simon Ward and a fluent 21 from Steve Taylor, Eastcombe 
were dismissed for 78 with the spinners doing the damage.  Steve Walden took his 
personal league tally past 40 wickets in taking 3-11.  James Pockett, who was at 
times unplayable, collected  3-19 and Buzz Pockett concluded proceedings with 2-10.

The bravado, whooping and cheering aside, it must be recorded that Eastcombe, and 
skipper Anth Perrins in particular, were a model example of sportsmanship and 
graciousness in defeat.  The length of their unbeaten run must be congratulated 
and is just reward for not only the quality of their cricket but their approach 
to and respect for the game.   

Next weeks sees a break in the league program for Cranham at least as they 
participate in the annual Cranham feast.  Proceeding start at 11am with an all 
day cricket tournament, the famous boundary race, deer roast and all sorts of 
other fun and games.  All are welcome.    

Cranham 148 ao (Alex Pockett 56, Charlie Pritchard 23, Nathan Moore 25, Steve Taylor 4-23, J. Ward 4-52)
 
Eastcombe 79 ao (S. Ward 25*, Steve Walden 3-11, James Pockett 3-19, Buzz Pockett 2-10)
 
Cranham (18pts) beat Eastcombe (6 pts) by 69 runs

Man of the match: James Pockett