Billy 's herioc efforts in vain

By Jonny Boy
July 7 2006

6th July, Ford County Ground, Chelmsford, and an optimistic, lively crowd gathered to witness the Essex Eagles host the Middlesex Crusaders, who had lost all 5 twenty20 games played. A win was important for Essex to keep their chances of progression alive.

An optimistic, lively crowd gathered to witness the Essex Eagles host the Middlesex Crusaders, who had lost all 5 twenty20 games played. A win was important for Essex to keep their chances of progression alive. Gates opened at a very early 4pm, a good 3 hours and 10 minutes before play
began. A lot of spectators arrived early to get the best seats, many members seemed to have reserved seats. Traffic on the ghastly M25 delayed us slightly but we managed to sit behind the bowlers arm.

The news was that we had won the toss and elected to bat. A good omen, I thought. Youngster Billy Godleman was selected as the replacement for Owais, a slight surprise seeing as I heard he was quite a defensively minded batsmen. Weekes and Smith arrive at the crease to a few cheers from us and other fellow visiting fans, and I was hoping for a good start. Paul started with some determination, hitting a couple of boundaries before Ed hopelessly lofted one up which was easily caught by Phillips to the delight of the wonderful Essex fans. I must say I would love if we had the same set of fans. I heard people saying they have one of the best fanbases in the county circuit. I found the occasional PR announcement urging the spectators to "cheer on the boys" rather amusing. Nick Compton joined Weeksy at the crease and started to knock the ball around quite confidently, but just as they were reaching their 50 partnership, Andre Adams snared Weekes. Some groans from the Middx fans and us followed as Compton joined Paul inthe pavilion just a few runs later. Captain Scottie Styris seemed in bullish mood and hit a wonderful off side six, and he took his newly
gained confidence to the next ball and sadly this time got himself out by hitting it straight into Tim Phillips' hands. Irish star Eoin Morgan started sprightly with some boundaries and a six but was out
straight after the captain's dismissal. With a partnership needed when we were slightly struggling on 101/5, up step 17 year old Billy Godleman. He was quietly confident of getting the team to a good score, and he did just that. He wasnt scared at the fact of facing guys like Darren Gough and Andre
Adams and he wowed to the Middlesex fans with his clean hitting and tall stature. He struck 6 boundaries, faced just 25 balls yet hit 41, just missing out on a well deserved half century. A real prospect for the future. Ben Scott accompanied him very well and together they made 72. Scottie was unbeaten at the end of the innings on 32 from 22 balls. So, a very decent score of 177, defendable but required good, controlled bowling.

A massive uproar greeted captain Ronnie Irani and Mark Pettini. Early wickets would be an added bonus. Silvers opened the bowling, a nice long run up generating genuine pace. A brilliant start for us as 2wickets fell in the first over, leaving the Eagles stuttering on 1 for 2 after 1 over. Pettini got a single off the first ball before Silvers bowled a beautiful in swinger which got Irani plum lbw. Gough, in at the pinch hitting role, was undone by another good piece of bowling and was clean bowled. The Eagles' fans were delighted to see the return of lanky Will Jefferson at the crease and led the team to a match winning position. I heard "Oi, Scott, why's Peter Crouch out there?" But he wowed the crowd with his magnificent hooks and pulls. He clubbed 6 boundaries and 3 maximums in his fluent 51 off only 27 balls. Finally the 72 partnership was broken when Jefferson holed out to Pepsi fielding as a sub. Pettini kept the ball rolling and was later bowled by Johann Louw, James Foster attempted to finish the job hitting 21 off only 9 balls but Louw had him caught at slip by Styris. The crowd were scared whilst we were delighted as Louw bowled Middlebrook for a duck 2 balls later to leave an exciting, close finish. New crowd fave Andy Bichel "all the way from Brisbane" as the PR claimed struck a boundary from his first delivery but Styris took the perfect revenge next ball and bowled him. 16 to win. Excellent bowling from Louw kept the Essex crowd waiting but sadly Kiwi Adams
completed the win which signalled the Crusaders'  6th loss from 6 games so far. Andre smacked a boundary and a six to delight the home faithful.

An amusing pitch invasion followed at the end of the game despite several announcements from the PR man stating "in the name of sport please kids, refrain from entering the pitch until the players
and umpires have left". No one took much notice.