With Cogenhoe’s 1st XI having connected 4 in a row last week, this week they entertained Mears Ashby looking to make it Five wins from Five (don’t worry I’ve spared the music references to the boy band 5 in fear I’m the only one with a bad enough taste in music to get it!)
With conditions more than favourable for a bowl Captain Gareth Goddard boldly won the toss and chose to Bat in order to try and gain the maximum 30 points for a win. Again Dan Mclaughlin and Gareth got the Cooks off to another solid start despite bowler friendly conditions putting on 63 for the opening partnership before Dan was bowled for 31 (Ryan plus 26). The rest of Cooks top order all made useful contributions (Gareth 22, Henry 20, Matt Mo 35), sometimes sides can struggle without anyone going on to make a big score, but with an excellent all round effort with the bat this didn’t prevent the Cooks from posting a daunting 210 for 8 from their 45 overs. On a day where the weather and broken mower had conspired to make the outfield a little slow and the track a bit of a sticky wicket, this was the equivalent of a score closer to 250 on a good day. A special mention should go to Club Chairman Roy who used wisdom and negotiation skills to avoid his 4th Golden Duck in a row. Talking his way down to number 11 as “Nick will be faster between the wickets than me” meant that he didn’t have to bat and therefore avoided his 4th golden duck in a row……for now!!
After Tea, Cooks came out keen to take the 10 wickets they would need to make it 5 wins from 5, and it didn’t take long for Alex Harvey-Jones (Hyphen) to find the edge which had the need, the need for speed as it flew to the Grooner Zone at first slip, unfortunately the batsman had written a cheque Dan’s body couldn’t cash, and to cries of anguish the chance was gone. It soon became clear that Dan wasn’t just annoyed at dropping the catch, as a red substance dripped from his palm (Lab tests later revealed this substance was largely Sharps Atlantic Pale Ale, mixed with some blood) where he a split the webbing between two fingers and down into the palm. This was less than handy for the cooks as it meant they would spend the rest of the game fielding with just 10, despite the enthusiasm of Jake Morrissey who would have gladly come on as substitute fielder had he been old enough. Thank you to Cogenhoe Fan Club on the boundary for looking after Dan and to John as the only sober one for driving Dan to A and E.
Despite the batsman’s bold claims that we would be made to regret the drop, as he would only be giving once chance today, he soon skied one off Hyphens bowling to the safe hands of Matt Mo who threw in a Tom Daley like completely unnecessary dive for good measure (sniper fine anyone?). The Mears Ashby innings then never really got going, and seemed confused as to whether to chase the runs or bat out for a draw. In the end they managed neither, the three bowling musketeers Hyphen, Lester and Buster (Paul Smith) all took three wickets a piece with Captain Goddard taking a hands on approach to captaincy to take the other Mears Ashby wicket. Leaving the Cooks delighted to wrap their fingers around another 30 points.
Next week the Cooks will go in search of making it Super Six away at Harlestone, in their pursuit of Carrib United who still top NCL Division 6, having played a game more.