The Cooks visit to Kettering Thirds gave them an opportunity to build on last week’s victory. Kettering won the toss and invited the Cooks to bat on a damp but well prepared strip. A steady yet unspectacular start by the openers Russ and Adam ensured a fifty partnership which was broken when Russ was adjudged out leg before, which brought Jack Quennell to the crease. With the score at 61 for 1 at half way, acceleration was required if a reasonable target was going to be posted. The scoring rate began to increase as Jack regularly found the boundary the opposition with both four’s and sixes being regularly registered. Adam at this point was content to play a supporting role, giving the strike to Jack at every opportunity, who was now showing an increasing liking to the short boundary at the Pavilion End. The home bowlers were now tiring and by the time Adam had been bowled off the last ball of the innings, Jack was unbeaten on 92 having added 135 runs in the last 20 overs, to give the target an air of respectability. Given the short boundaries on three sides the jury was out as to whether enough runs had been scored to gain the prize.
After tea the Cooks opening bowler’s father and son Tony and Mark Bird were soon on the offensive and had the hosts upper order struggling with their trademark accuracy. At the end of their respective 10 over spells the score stood at 59 for 4. After the drinks break debutante Jack Harris replaced Tony and it only took him 7 balls to claim his first Cogenhoe wicket. Kettering now 5 down and still with almost 130 required, the next stand was to prove crucial.
The Cooks having only two strike bowlers who had been now played out, were now made to suffer by the Kettering sixth wicket pair. Although Jack Harris & Tom Robinson initially did well to contain the two Kettering batsmen, the pendulum was swinging away from the Cooks. This trend continued as the batsmen clubbed their way towards the target. The introduction of two new bowlers at the far end did not stem the runs and Kettering reached the target with 3 overs to spare.
For three quarters of this game the Cooks were in control of it, but lack of real bowling options proved to be their undoing. With the top order batsmen showing good form and the great team spirit prevailing, the seconds must not take this defeat too literally as it was packed with so many positives.