Match Report Beausoleil vs Entrecasteaux Sunday 18th May 2014

In summary, unfortunately this « much improved » BCC team got the better of ECC yesterday.

It was a pretty even affair played in a competitive spirit over 35 overs on a very pleasant day up at Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey.

The grass was a little long, the boundaries were short … and the Sri Lankan « big game » music made a welcome appearance out of the back of someone’s car. What more could you ask for!

ECC batted first and scored 9 for 171 on a pitch with surprising ‘variable’ bounce.

Burrell (43) continued to look ‘rusty’, Gregory almost played the perfect innings – scoring a-run-a-ball season best 40 runs. Sadly, sundries (« extras » to the ‘Northerners’) chipped in as the team’s 3rd highest scorer with 28.

Chalana ( Shalana Karunarathnage ) battled hard, coming to the game with an injury and opening at the top of the innings with 17 with the taller Australian ( Burrell ) and the shorter one ( Fergus ) as his very competent specialist runner. Chaminda ( Chaminda Perera ) (2) was not his usual self out LBW to Kavi ( Kavinda Karunarathnage ).  Roshy ( Roshan Perera ) may have been unlucky being given out LBW (13) advancing up the pitch with his trademark KP flamingo shot early on. Steve Crozier another unlucky (13) running well between wickets – showing promise for the middle order.  Ed( Edward Harland ) looked to get on with things in a positive fashion, but fell for an equally unlucky 13.  Like Crozier, Harland Senior is another beaming light for ECC giving the team added confidence.  Max and Yannick didn’t trouble the scorers.

Ubaynath was BCC’s best bowler with 3 wickets for 18 off his allotted 7 overs.

ECC took the field knowing they had to bowl well on the small Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey cauldron … the Sri Lankan « big game » music ‘bubbling’ along nicely. The scene was set.

ECC threw everything they had at BCC – testament to how good the opposition are now playing. 

Unfortunately, the away team were soon wishing they turned right on the exit of the A8 and spent the afternoon on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival instead of left onto the green carpet…

Other than Kavi (due to lack of opportunity), BCC’s bats all rose to the occasion playing solidly, putting the pressure back on the ECC tourists with some sensible, positive batting, as required (plus a few ‘wristly’ shots). ECC also put down a few crucial catches (not up to their usual standards) and need to think harder about how to bowl on a smaller ground.

Baldev (43) top scored for the Beausoliel boys, batting like a wall. Kalit ( Kalith Fernando) (40), ticked over like a Rolls Royce un-flustered (except when he called for the ‘magic’ spray for his fingers after being struck by a Clifford Gregory special). Prasana (35) also looked very solid. ECC’s sundries (extras) was a similar 27.

Ed Harland’s keeping was a positive, as was Gregory’s hard work with the ball – unfortunately he was wicketless though.  Roshan will be better for the run (his first outing for the season). Fergus looked like a Mr. P….. . head in Chaminda’s helmet at short-leg – being at least 2 sizes too small for him.

I guess the difference was BCC’s bowling (ECC only took the 3 wickets) and BCC’s batting … taking the heat out of the game with some canny, calm batting and pushing on when required. ECC also needed more runs from it’s upper order it could be argued.

The ledger now stands at 2 – 1 in favour of BCC this season.  That’s okay, the team is only firing on 2 cylinders at the moment (and there may just be some new recruits in the wings).

A big thanks to Steve Crozier for donating 100 euros for some kit! More donations are welcome (please go to the membership / sponsor form if you want to show your support) .

Thanks also go to everyone for making the journey – it was especially good to see Susy supporting her boys and Shalana & Yannick, toughing it out playing with injuries.  

20 mai 2014Permalink