President’s Day 2020

President’s Day was played this year in memory of the late club President, Ray Pritchard, and 1^st XI batsman, Mark Collin. The day began with the club membership paying tribute to their late and much loved friends by unveiling two new benches, engraved with their names, to stand as a fitting tribute to the two men who did so much for their club. A new bell to be rung five minutes before the start of each match is now a feature of the ECC pavilion, also in their memory.

The day consisted of a T20 tri-tournament consisting of two sides of Effingham club members, captained by 1^st XI skipper, Ed Cooper, and 1^st XI opening bowler, Dom Brown. The third team was a “Former Players XI”, led by Adam Burlison, and featured numerous Effingham stars from years gone by.

In addition to the three sides of cricketers, there was also a fantastic turnout from the wider club membership, their friends and families who enjoyed the cricket and a BBQ (and bar!)

The Dom Brown XI defeated the Ed Cooper XI by 68 runs in the first game, before losing by three wickets against the Former Players who clinched a final ball win.

The third game had to be cut short after Andy Townend, “Lofty”, fell down in the course of play, injuring his back. An ambulance was called to the scene and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

The thoughts of everyone at ECC are with Lofty and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery. 

Our thanks to Dr Mead and everyone else who assisted on the scene, helping us get through an unfortunate end to the day.

Please see the match reports below.

ECC

Match 1: Dom Brown XI vs Ed Cooper XI

The first game of the day commenced at 11am, with Ed Cooper winning the toss and electing to field on an overcast morning. This appeared to pay early dividends as opening bowler Lewis Saffin made use of the conditions to claim three early wickets, leaving the Dom Brown XI on a far from ideal 17-3. With the Ed Cooper XI bowling well and in control of the game, continuing his fine form for the season, rising Effingham star Alec Muggleton steadied the ship with a patient 29. Some eye catching, quick-fire knocks from Will Farnsworth (18 from 13) and Joe Roberts (31 from 20) helped see the Dom Brown XI through to a final first innings score of 148, a good total on a slow Effingham pitch.

In reply, disaster struck early for the Ed Cooper XI with Dom Brown running out his opposing skipper for 0 without facing a ball. In the fightback, Nick Bond and Alex Cooper both displayed some good form with 25 apiece, striking seven boundaries between them. However the Ed Cooper XI struggled to get going with their score 60-6 at the drinks break, their middle order all dismissed for low scores due another run out and some fine wicket keeping from Jake Raffaelli.

Then, with the opposition on 74, captain Brown threw the ball to Warren Tebbitts who provided drama and excitement commonly seen in ECC inter-club games, by taking a memorable hat-trick in one of his first games of the year. The final dismissal of the innings came with Adam Iqbal hitting his own wicket, the Ed Cooper XI all out for 80, the triumphant Dom Brown XI winning the first game by 68 runs.

Match 2: Former Players XI vs Dom Brown XI

The second match was played between the Former Players XI, who won the toss and elected to field, and the Dom Brown XI who had momentum from their emphatic victory in the previous game. In what was to be a much more balanced contest, Brown’s side got off to a strong start with Tom Cobb and Jake Raffaelli sharing a partnership of 49 against an experienced attack, both hitting some powerful boundaries. Cobb was out lbw to Ian Barnard and departed on 18, as did Cameron Walters for the next wicket, caught by Charlie Forbes off Nick Proctor. Raffaelli eventually retired out on his half century, which led to another expeditious innings from Will Farnsworth. The Dom Brown XI posted a first innings score of 148 (for the second time in the day!), only this time four wickets down with four of the Former Players bowlers taking one apiece.

The second innings response from the Former Players was positive from the outset with Martin Keay and Nick Proctor sharing a large partnership. Keay made 29, and was productive through the off side and struck at nearly a run a ball. Proctor made 55 and retired out, showing power, timing and touch, hitting four fours and four sixes, most notably a magnificent leg side flick over mid-wicket for a maximum.

Some accurate bowling from Dom Brown, Sam Cobb and Joe Roberts combated the fine batting from their opponents and brought the score to 144-5 with 5 runs required and one over left to be bowled. Brown took it upon himself to bowl the final over, claiming the wicket of Jeff Hardman for a fine 22 with the first ball. Adam Burlison and Jake White added four runs in the next three balls with White then run out. Nigel Thomas strode to the wicket with one required off the final delivery, the two XI’s providing a tense finish for the spectators. A good ball from Brown was hit into the offside behind square by Thomas. Raffaelli gave chase but was unable to run out Burlison who had sprinted in from the non-striker’s end, the Former Players XI claiming a dramatic three wicket win off the final delivery.

Match 3: Former Players XI vs Ed Cooper XI

The third match saw the Former Players XI bat first and subsequently dismissed for 97 after some strong bowling from Connor Foley, Chris Fewson and Nick Bond.

This game had to be cut short after Andy Townend, “Lofty”, fell down in the course of play, injuring his back. An ambulance was called to the scene and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

The thoughts of everyone at ECC are with Lofty and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery.