Picture a sunny afternoon on an idyllic village green surrounded by a swathe of wispy trees and you could almost have been at Over on Saturday. Skipper Richard Allison won the toss and put the home team into bat on a decidedly green pitch. The Coton 11 buoyed by their pre-match meal of mini Jam Donuts courtesy of Dave Hale (you need to keep your energy levels up!), immediately began to exert pressure on Over. Both Cooke and Speller kept it tight in the first 6 overs with four maidens as Over battled to 16 for none. In the 7th Cooke got a well deserved breakthrough with an LBW that even Dickie Bird would have given. Skipper Allison decided it was time to "blood" Coton debutante Billy Haynes. As the wind got up it was clear that Haynes had been given the wrong end (or perhaps he had not eaten a donut), as Over scored 14 runs from his first 2 overs. Credit to the skipper and vice captain Dave Hale as they realised this and switched ends for Haynes. This bought quick results as Haynes showed good pace and immediately took an edge. Unfortunately it was not taken but the next over Haynes took his first league wicket as Bradders gratefully received a top edge. At the other end Cooke feasted on a double wicket maiden.
Over's M Ford proved dogmatic with his deft leg glances and quick running. He found a willing partner in S Friend as Over pushed on to 119 for 6. In Speller's second spell a fine pick up and throw finally managed to dislodge Ford. In his very next over the double act of Speller and Bradbury used a Rugby pass and a mid air yogic swipe to break the bails and claim another run out. Momentum was with Coton. Cooke got angry as a plumb lbw was not given so promptly finished off the tail with some rapid pace and accuracy. Over all out for 149 runs in 37.4 overs.
After another fine tea - no donuts required the Coton innings began with Cooke and Bradbury in earnest. When Stuart Faben opened up with some indifferent bounce it seemed the in-form Cooke would make hay. Alas the next over Cooke skied a simple catch to Willis. Bradbury dug in at one end whilst Speller picked off Faben at every opportunity. George was certainly in the mood to hit big with four 4's and 2 sixes before being caught by friend at long on for 38 runs. Bradbury's eye was in as he grew in confidence and hit his first ever on drive for four runs. The elation got the better of him as he wafted at a straight one only to see the furniture rearranged. Dave Hale and Skipper Allison started to move the scoring rate along before Hale top edged a ball from Wilkinson as Smith from Over started what proved to be a catching spree.
Allison in need of some runs this season, showed he has not lost his guile and timing as he effortlessly flicked 4's off his legs. At the other end East decided to stick around and christen the new bat. The partnership put on a valuable 22 runs before East took on a suicidal single (was Neil Sparnon playing?) and ran himself out. Coton were on 117 runs with 5 wickets remaining and 18 overs to get them in. Previous games have seen Coton's middle order and tail crumble under the pressure. Not today. Scotcher strode out with a target of 4 runs an over. The skipper who was in fine touch holed out to Smith the very next over. Whilst Scotcher stuck to the plan of 4 an over, Norton had not heard the instructions and promptly went for a duck. Billy Haynes showed promise with Scotcher running in a strained manner and called for a runner. Firstly Ed Darling (yet to bat) walked out with permission from the Over team. Chis Cooke saw that leadership was required and padded up. As Haynes was bowled Ed Darling switched positions and Cooke grasped the running mantra. Any nick or nurdle by Scotcher or Darling heard the scream of run from Cooke. The Over opposition were as bemused as Coton's 2 umpires Hale and East - as the Coton trio worked on the shout loudest running policy of "hit it and scarper". When Scotcher (with a "tweaked" hamstring) who contributed a valuable 7 runs, fell on 139 for 9 wickets, to another Smith catch, Pete Brooks was determined not to let the side down. 11 runs required for victory. Ed Darling scampered through for run after run. 7 runs were required from the last 6 balls. When Darling hit 4 runs from the first ball, the Coton bench erupted. Only 3 runs required with 5 balls remaining. 1 run from the next ball followed by Darling and following 2 dot balls another 1 valuable run from Brookes. The score was level with the last ball remaining. Drake tossed up a "moonbeam" of a ball. Darling could not quite get his driver (I mean bat) to the pitch of the ball, but scraped it to backward point and scarpered. Alas the Over fielder Cookson had a dead arm and the stumps were Feng Shui'd. The game was tied.
Matches like this are what makes you realise that summers days are meant to be savoured. Forget the shopping, the Cafe latte's and the activity breaks. Play cricket it's great !!!!
Highs:
- Billy Haynes taking his first league wicket on debut.
- 5 wickets for 15 runs for Chris Cooke.
- Ed Darling making his highest Coton score of 13.
- The Coton Tail finally wagged - long overdue and long may it continue.
- George Speller with 2 run outs in 2 overs - including a Yogic mid air catch and crash from Bradders.
- A friendly drink with the Over team in the pub afterwards.
Lows:
- We didn't win......but that would be nit picking
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