Four changes (two young players and two older ones) were required from the previous weeks side that welcomed Kettering thirds to the Compton Bowl. With skipper Ryan Knight missing out, due to a suspected fractured thumb the captains duties, as well as that of keeping wicket fell to Russ Coleman. The acting skippers first task resulted in a lost toss (no change there) and being asked to bat on a greenish track that had benefited from the recent deluge of rain. With Kettering bowlers gaining some assistance from the pitch, the Cooks soon lost a couple of wickets both arguably in unfortunate circumstances. A stand was required, Russ was now joined by Liam Knight, and the pair from the start batted sensibly, steadily getting the scoreboard moving. With Russ happy to take the supporting role, Liam was now on the offensive, taking full advantage of any loose ball. The pair had now rattled past the fifty partnership, and the total was now close to a ton. The innings had a platform, but things can suddenly change and when Liam who had hit two consecutive sixes, played onto his stumps next ball for an entertaining sixty runs . This dismissal led to the Kettering attack gaining the upper hand with no Cogenhoe batsman really making his mark. Russ was beginning to run out of partners and disaster struck when an ill judged second run was attempted, and Russ well out of his ground. This was an untimely end to the captains determined innings. The writing was on the wall for the Cooks and with the rest of the innings soon folding, a modest total of 146 had been scored in exactly 30 overs.
Kettering commenced their reply in the knowledge they had sixty overs to reach their target. If the Cooks had any chance to snatch victory early wickets were required and although both the opening bowlers did well, any luck was definitely with the away batsman and by the second drinks break (31 overs) only two wickets had been taken, with 46 runs now needed. Much credit goes to the entire team young and old, who would simply not give up. The bowlers gained a stranglehold on the batsman who were now finding it hard to beat the field, if a couple of catches had not been spilled, things may have been different. Eventually Kettering limped to a five wicket victory that took them 46 overs to complete.
On this occasion the Cooks middle order batsmen could not build on the solid platform made for them by Liam and Russ, as another fifty odd runs would have really challenged the opposition. The performance in the field especially by the two young debutantes to senior cricket, Harvey Westall [-Ed] and Will Tipler [-Ed] gave hope for the future as they both acquitted themselves well in challenging circumstances. The attitude of the whole team when facing certain defeat was admirable and shows that the seconds should not be under estimated.