In a land far, far away Cogenhoe Cricket Clubs 1st XI gathered to play Gretton in their latest NCL Division 6 fixture. CCC won the toss and on a green damp track were delighted to have a bowl. Boosted by the return to the club of Ash Davis, Jason Kruger and the promoted to the first team Tom Smyth got stuck in to the Gretton openers, lots of sideways movement made it hard going for the batsmen, and with a combination of great ground fielding and tight bowling Gretton soon found themselves 31-2 after 15 overs (or after 3/9ths if your Henry). After Jason Kruger bagged 2 early wickets, chances were few and far between for the cooks, despite the bowling being shared around Gretton batted sensibly and began to form solid partnerships. After 30 overs Gretton had moved on to 93-3 and with the destructive Darren Baines at the crease the stage was set for a big last 15 overs (3/9ths). Baines who’s pyrotechnics the last time the two sides met in Gretton saw him hit 146 including 9 fours and 10 sixes, would be the vital wicket if Cogenhoe were to keep the runs down.
When Baines opened his shoulders for the first time striking a sweet six over the long on boundary it was clear he meant business, and even when Park was caught for 55 by Smyth off the bowling of Harvey-Jones it didn’t stop the runs flowing as once again Baines put the Cogenhoe bowling attack to the sword. Thanks largely to Baines Gretton hit 90 runs off their last 10 overs, with Kruger the only man managing to slow his free flowing run scoring. Whilst 90 off the last 10 overs was good going from Gretton this could have been an awful lot more but for some tight bowling from Kruger and Harvey-Jones and some truly excellent work in the field. Gretton closed on 209-7.
210 would be the target for Cogenhoe once the players had been dragged away from the Saints match, Gareth Goddard was eventually prized out of his chair in front of the rugby, with strict instructions to bat through the innings, and let the others around him push for the runs. With this in mind GG went out swinging like a man who was desperate to be back in the hutch to watch the rugby! Thankfully when Dan showed him how to find the boundary instead of the fielders GG calmed down and dug in. Dan was unlucky to find the man on the long on boundary on 22 leaving cooks 37-1 after 13 overs. This brought Gareth Tompkins to the crease, leading to some confusion with the scorers as there were now 2 gareths, thankfully they found a solution and GG was then referred to as Gareth Helmet…………. apparently because of his head wear. GT and GG cruised along without letting the mounting run rate lead them into any rash decisions, and moved Cogenhoe to 95-1 after 30 overs, 2 runs ahead of where Gretton were, but would the pressure of chasing over 7.5 for 15 overs tell. With both Grettons opening bowlers bowled out GT put his foot on the gas and was soon caressing the ball to every part of the ground, effortlessly passing 50 without breaking in to a sweat or more importantly messing his hair up. The GG-GT show bought the equation down to 79 needed off the last 10. With the news CCC 2nd XI had notched up a win and were gathered in the bar ready to follow the action on twitter the final action was described via twitter as follows……
147-1 off 36.1! #COYC GT passed 50 a few overs ago!
153 off 37. 57 off 42 needed)- The excitement was getting to much for me, this should have read 57 off 48!!
GT hits 6 then gets a thin edge behind…….dropped!! 161-1 off 38 (correction 38 needed off 42….I think)
GG caught but off a no ball and then brings up his 50. 169 off 39 #COYC- When things like this happen you feel it really should be your day, harsh on Gretton though after a great catch. Well done to Gareth Helmet though after a great innings
185-2 off 41. Sublime innings from GT comes to an end caught at fly slip
Zulu and jack in 16 needed off 18- Zulu launch one high in to the skies above Corby, a good catch was taken by a sliding Gretton fielder, however it was a good 10meters over the boundary. And some cracking hitting to the gaps from jack dropped the equation to 9 needed off 12 balls!
3 needed off 11 balls huge six from Jack
Scores level 10 balls left
Jack bowled 1 needed off 8
Ash returns to the club to hit the winning runs!! Stunning performance bat and ball. Well done cooks double win!!!
A great game of cricket played in the best of spirits ended with Cogenhoe getting home with an over to spare after a superbly well-paced run chase. Some fantastic hitting from Dan McLaughlin, GT, Jack and Kruger backed up with incredible hustle and bustle between the stumps from GG, Jack, Birdie, Teffers and even Kruger turned dot balls in to ones and ones in to twos, crucial in a tight run chase such as this. Well done to everyone for a thoroughly professional performance where application, and calm cricketing brains allowed the talent we sometimes keep hidden to shine through!
On the day Northampton Saints Rugby finally became Premiership champions, a double win for the mighty Cooks completed a fairy tale day for Northamptonshire sport. Tune in next week to see if the cooks continue to live happily ever after and for some more garbled commentary on Cogenhoe CC’s 1st XI clash with Caribbean United #COYC
973 words and no mention of my 200% strike rate!! Outrageous!