This week the seconds opponents and visitors to Compton Park were Brixworth Thirds. For the second week running Captain Mark won the toss and chose to bowl. Tony Bird opened the bowling with Tom Robinson, (making his first start of the season) both bowlers ensured that runs were going to be earned on a perfect day for cricket. Wickets soon began to fall, with Tony claiming the first four Brixworth scalps in his spell of 10 overs, for just 8 runs and 7 maidens. When drinks were taken at halfway through the Brixworth innings the score was a meagre 33, a true reflection of the bowlers dominance.
The lack of scoring continued after the break with the remaining Brixworth opener and his new partner digging in, with little answer to the accurate bowling from the skipper and Syd Mason who were ensuring that the scoring rate was not exceeding 2 runs an over. Mark was particularly unlucky as the batsman were playing and missing at an alarming rate. But it was Sid Syd who eventually broke the deadlock, ending the stubborn resistance provided by the Brixworth opener who had spent just over 30 overs at the crease for his quarter of a century This dismissal led to a complete batting collapse with Sid emulating Tony, claiming four wickets and Frankie Perkin chipping in with a brace of victims, the Cooks bowlers work was complete. This left the Cooks to chase this achievable target of just 67, though those who witnessed the struggle last season to reach a target of 45 were understandably a little cautious.
After the break the Cooks were soon on the way, openers Russ and Adam added 29 before Russ lost his partner Adam caught lofting an off drive. Jack Quennell on his second game back needing time in the middle from an injured wrist, joined Lord Denton to steer the Cooks home to an easy nine wicket victory.
This game was a perfect example of the strength of each team having an huge effect of the outcome of the game. Last week the opposition seemed to have a! strong team made up of players with experience of playing at a higher level. On this occasion the opposite appeared to be the case. Having said that you can only play against the opposition selected against you and the Cooks performed excellently in the field, with only two difficult catches being spurned. The great team spirit continues, and this bond will help when facing the inevitable challenges of unavailability and injuries that will be faced in the coming weeks.