U11s v Wollaston Friday 10th July 2015 AND U11s v ONs B Sunday 12th July 2015
The Cook’s U11s showed their Jekyll and Hyde character over the weekend, recording a fantastic win against Wollaston on Friday night, but the 48hr celebrations must have affected them, as they put in an horrific showing against ONs B on Sunday.
Wollaston won the toss and decided to bat first on a fantastic track prepared by Malc and Pete. Star bowler Keelan Hone once again struck in the first over, as George Thompson snaffled the edge for his first catch of the season. Keelan continued his rich vein of form, bowling 3 overs taking 2-5 with two maidens. There were also two wickets for Liam [2-7 from 3 overs] and Alex Price [1-21 from 2 overs] and a run out to ensure Wollaston finished on 81-6, a net score of 51.
The fielding was generally good, with sharp catches for both Alex and Sam. However, the trend of giving away too many extras inflated the Wollaston innings by 41 runs [29 in wides, 11 in byes and 1 leg bye].
Keelan and Liam opened the innings with a solid start, putting on 25-1 with some very good running between the wickets. Alex and George backed up well and put on 19 runs for no loss, so at the halfway point, we needed only 13 to win, if we didn’t lose any more wickets.
Next pair of Spencer and Aidan then struggled to get the ball away and put on 10 runs for the loss of two wickets, meaning that 13 was still required from the last pair. Jake and Sam entered the fray, and after a brief moment of panic when Sam was out second ball, the confident duo proceeded to put on 41-1 and ensured a 24 run victory.
An entertaining match watched by a good crowd on Friday evening, with a positive result – a good start to the weekend.
However, after the two heavy defeats for the senior sides on Saturday, the junior side followed suit on Sunday. With Spencer unavailable, Anya made a return to the team at an overcast Billing Road. Winning the toss and inviting ONs to bat, Cogenhoe’s opening bowlers of Keelan and Jake kept the score down to 13-0 from the first four overs, with no wides. The rest of the team then gave away 30 in wides, and 11 in byes, plus a no ball as the extras hit 43.
Chasing 85 to win, the team needed a good start and Keelan and Liam did just that, putting on 31-0 from four overs, with Liam hitting three fours in a confident manner for the highest individual total this season – 18no.
By the time Sam and Jake came in, the score was 53-5 [net 28], including three run outs for not sliding the bat, not calling and indecision typified the performance. Needing 58 to win, which was never likely, Jake and Sam batted sensibly to not lose any more wickets and put on 24 runs.
Every player now needs to reflect on their performances, what they have been doing well and what they need to develop. As we move towards the end of the season, the time may be approaching to try and blood some of the U9s, if we continue to play so inconsistently!
Once again, thanks to Sid and Ben for scoring the two matches and Allan and John T for umpiring. A rare home match next week against Overstone awaits, with players playing for their places.