Second XI vs. Brixworth
Skipper Mark won the toss, and elected to bowl on a grassy, but flat, St David’s track. The Cooks, with three changes, welcomed back a fit again (hopefully) Tony Bird and with the resilient Sid Mason they opened the attack with Brixworth’s Halford intent on playing his shots from the start. Unfortunately the Cooks missed (catch) a great opportunity to dismiss Halford when only on 9. The opener went on to score 49 before being caught behind off Tony in an opening partnership of 69 which gave Brixworth a solid foundation to build a sizable score. The other opener now took on the mantle scoring 63 and though the bowlers / fielders did well not to let the situation spiral out of control. Four middle order batsmen perished for a combined total of 23 all to Mark who opted to bowl around the wicket, including a first senior catch for 13yo Alfie Wreford. Smokey joined the fray at the other end and dismissed dangerous Vince for 63 and number 3 Dow for 23 in what was a very strong spell of bowling.
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The Cooks needed a good start, which did not materialise, after ten overs the Cooks had three men back in the hutch for 39. Adam Longley who this season is making a habit of keeping his wicket intact when others are losing theirs, was joined by Ben Garratt. The pair started to stabilise the innings but just when it seemed the tide was turning Adam was bowled for 36. Mark joined the proceedings excellent caught one handed behind square off his first ball, but after the umpires deliberated, was called back to the fray as the ball being adjudged to be a no ball for height. After claiming 3 boundaries he then departed. With half the batsmen dismissed, prospects were not looking great for the win. Young Alfie joined Ben and the pair added a valuable 32 runs in 8 overs, until Alfie, increasing in confidence every week against senior bowling attacks, was bowled by the hosts spinner for a personal best of 4.
The target was now becoming a little out of reach but Ben was showed his early season 90 odd knock was not a flash in the pan and made sure all of the batting bonus points were virtually assured before he was unfortunately run out for a hard fought 72. Elder statesmen Tony and Sid dogged defiance denied Brixworth a full house of points for a 26 run defeat.
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In many ways this game mirrored last week’s defeat with an early dropped catch and only two batsmen from the top the top six in the order making meaningful contributions. In reality there was little between the two teams, given Brixworth fielded an eleven that was unrecognizable to the team easily beaten at Compton Park earlier in the season. Games are often won by fine margins and the Cook’s are finding themselves on the wrong side. There are always a lot of positives and they will look forward to entertaining Kettering on Presidents Day as they move into what are now critical games of the season.
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