Coton v Longstowe II, 5 July 2008

If a week in politics is a long time, a week at Coton Cricket Club is an aeon. On a distinctly "green" home wicket on the Recreation Ground, Dave Hale Coton's skipper lost the toss. The Coton innings spiralled downwards from that point on. Chris Cooke gave an edge in the first over. Ross Chandler and Dave Hale went to snorters in quick succession. Paul Bradbury decided it was time to weigh anchor and dug in for several overs but fell on 11. East and Kaye came and went as Breward continued to notch up a score. In Ed Darling he found a partner who was prepared to run for everything and the pair made the highest partnership (30 runs) of either team in the match. When Darling was given out LBW, Breward quickly followed suit. Coton's momentum slowed drastically. Coton struggled to 84 all out.

After Paul Norton's Tea's (I thought they were great fella - Chris wasn't so sure), Coton took to the field with some gusto and immediately put pressure on Longstowe II's. Cooke's rapid pace and accuracy unnerved the opposition. Rewards came quickly as Reynolds was dismissed. It took a dynamic piece of on the run fielding from Billy Haynes to dismiss John Murden. Longstowe wickets began to fall in quick succession as Cooke had his Dander up. Ross Chandler who was very unlucky with several appeals finally got a ball to "roll" under the bat to dislodge the wickets - despite appealing for an LBW. Rob Kay and Dave Scotcher also got amongst the wickets as the game sat on a knife edge. Christopher Burling, Longstowe's fine opening bowler weathered the storm and a dropped catch to stay unbeaten on 12 runs. He received able support from Fox and Gooch as Coton could not take the final wicket. Longstowe II's finished on 89 for 9 in 38.4 overs. Coton lost by 1 wicket.

Highs:

• Billy Haynes superb run out.
• 4 wickets for 13 runs from Chris Cooke - despite some "Egg Roll" Salmanella belly.
• A crucial 30 run partnership from Alastair Breward and Ed Darling
• Alastair Breward top scored with 33 runs (Bradders added a stoical 11 runs)

Lows:

• Runs, runs, runs - let's get our team "mojo" back and score some.....
• 24 Extras - Longstowe's top scorer was Extras with 19 wides, 1 no ball and 4 leg byes. mmmm on a low scoring day!!!!!
• 3 dropped catches - 2 of them could have taken the final wicket and snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat.
• Losing a tight game that we could and should have won. The Beer doesn't taste as good afterwards.