Coton Crusaders v Ashwell, 14 June 2008, Coton Crusaders v NCI

More milestones passed for Coton Crusaders over the weekend and yesterday. On Saturday we had an absolutely thriving Recreation Ground since Ashwell brought along U11 and U9 teams. The Under11s played their first 'proper' cricket match - hard ball, pads etc..., coached and supported by Chris and Ross. Coton lost a competitive match by just 14 runs, and it might have been different but we retired a few batsmen along the way. Anyway, a great experience to get the U11s playing the 'senior' form of the game.

Mike & George looked after the U9s and Crusaders were able to field two teams for the Kwik cricket. The first match was lost by a mere two runs, the second match by a bigger margin but still great experience for everyone.

I reckon we had about 65 children on the Rec last Saturday, and every single one got to play in a matchagainst the visitors if they wanted it!

On Monday night Chris, Ross and I took a group over to Churchill College to play NCI on an absolutely fantastic wicket. The teams batted for 22 overs each using an 'incrediball' - a hybrid between a real cricket ball and a kwik cricket ball. Coton, captained expertly by Hollie, fielded first and conceded about 20 runs in their first over! But as the innings progressed the team exerted more and more control on the batsmen, with at least two outstanding catches in the deep and a run out. NCI scored 280 in their 22 overs. Coton's response was typified by some excellent scoring shots interspersed with absolutely kamakaze running and calling between the wickets! The final few overs became very challenging with NCI crowding the batsgirls, but Hollie, Lara and Beth held out. The final score was 306 - Coton win by 26 runs!!

For this coming Saturday we revert to a more sedate coaching session starting at 10.00 on the Rec. However, I will be taking a team to Cambourne to play a match. Many of those who didn't get a chance to play last night will have an opportunity and I'll be in touch with parents individually about that later.

That's all for now... Mike and Chris