2011 Roundup
Our season ended on a damp note with our last League fixture away at Lowestoft falling victim to the weather. This meant we finished a respectable fifth in the League (with your pint glass half full) or fifth from bottom (pint half empy) or, more importantly for Elmham supporters......we finished above Brisley having timed our run well to overtake them following our great win against Felthorpe. Unfortunately our Presidents Match also fell to the weather but much later in the day later in the day and so didn't dampen end of season spirits as many players new and old enjoyed a BBQ and drink along with many villagers.
Our season improved as we went along and we won our last 3 games. Earlier this season I got some stick from my readership in the Brisley area when I stated that I thought we had one of the best bowling attacks in League 6 - whilst in some games we have let ourselves down, against Felthorpe in our last game I think we demonstrated the potency of the team when they all turn up. Elder especially has bowled well although Roy's delivery to remove the Felthorpe skipper (who averaged 100+ last season) was surely the ball of the year. With the bat Stephan Malherbe hit a rich vein of form since his return from holiday with 86 and 65 not out in his last 2 innings to go with his 100 earlier in the season. The fielding has also improved immeasurably with very few dropped catches although it is sometimes difficult to be heard when you have such a noisy (new) wicket keeper in the form of Christo (at Garboldisham he was asked to not appeal until after the ball had at least pitched first!). The new players all now appear to have bedded in well including our latest addition James Dagless who gives us even more options with ball and bat. However, all of this makes the first half of the season so frustrating. At one stage we were candidates for relegation but if our form in the second half had been like the second half then we might have been up there contesting the promotion spots. At least our end of season form gives us reason for optimism for next season. Looking ahead - we have the Club AGM on Sunday 2nd October at 15.00hrs at Tracks. We have a number of Committee posts to fill so if you would like to help out please come along. On the 8th October we have our Annual Awards Dinner at the Lodge in North Tuddenham. If you wish to come along please let me know ASAP (home 01362 667089 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) along with your menu choice - cost is £17/head - menu available. Wifes/ girlfriends/ friends and family all very welcome. As ever we are always keen to recruit new players so again let me know if you fancy a game next season.
Regards
Iain
NECC - Saturday XI Captain
