The rain subsided and Coton finally got to play cricket at home (our last home game was 5th July!). We welcomed runaway league leaders Cambourne to Coton Recreation ground. Skipper Richard Allison won the toss and put Cambourne into bat.
From the very first ball it was clear that Cambourne had attacking intent. As Speller swung the ball Alan Carroll was performing heroics behind the stumps. "Rapier" Rob Kaye back in the team after a summer break was deadly accurate removing the Cambourne skipper in his second over. This bought Paul Cooke to the crease. You could have been forgiven for thinking that Sangakarra had been drafted into the Cambourne batting line up as Cooke racked up four 4's and a 6 in his 23. He fell to a straight one from Kaye. The very next ball Kaye took another wicket. The hatrick was on. Alas Cambourne's next bat had other ideas and decided to stick around. A double wicket maiden was not to be sniffed at. Coton were in the ascendancy. However Cambourne have a long batting line up and the job was only a third done.
Speller not to be outdone took a wicket at the other end. Cambourne fought back with the partnership of the match. Ever eager to get a bowl Dave Scotcher thought he would force the issue. As he took position, rearranged the field and the team called out change of bowler, Speller walked in from the boundary and took the ball to bowl. Allison told Scotcher to wash his ears out and sent him off to the covers. Both teams realised the comedy value of the bowling spell that never was. A change in bowling was required and both Scotcher and Sparnon got their chance. Cambourne skied several chances which fell agonisingly close to Coton fielders. Sparnon again had trouble with contact lenses. Fortunately Caroll was getting used to valiant dives behind the stumps!
It took something very special to remove "Honey" from the crease and a Scotcher full toss allowed Speller to run in from the boundary, sway a little and take a catch that had "snow" on it. Champagne moment. Perhaps it was the guest appearance by Coton legend Jim Schwabe in the drinks interval (Coton needed the X Factor). From this point forwards Coton began to cut through the Cambourne batting. Kaye and Scotcher were again in the wickets. Joseph rode his luck but finished on 24 not out as Kaye took the final wicket. Cambourne 173 all out in 39.4 Overs.
After a splendid tea from Pete Brooks (Sam), Coton went out to bat. Speller and Sparnon were swiftly removed by Cooke. Norton managed to survive for several overs. It was runs that Coton needed as it quickly became apparent that 173 runs was too many runs for Coton to chase. Skipper Allison was determined to gain a valuable batting bonus point. He was running out of partners as Kaye and East followed in quick succession. Caroll bruised from his keeping exploits proved a valuable ally. He dug in as the pair put on 32 runs. When Caroll fell, Allison went soon after. Cambourne sliced through the brittle tail of Coton to take victory. Coton 66 all out in 24 Overs.
Highs:
- Personal best club bowling figures for Rob Kaye - 9.4 Overs, 2 maidens, 5 wickets for 36 runs.
- Champagne Moment Nominee for George Spellers "Snowy" Catch.
- Elegant batting from Coton's Skipper Allison - top scoring with 25 runs.
- Champagne Moment Nominee for Dave Scotcher - the bowling spell that never was........
Lows:
- Batting, Batting, Batting. Aside Skipper Allison and Carroll no other batsmen made double figures - need I say any more?
- Letting Cambourne get 30 runs more than they should have.
- Lack of a wicket keeper hurt us. Valiant efforts from Caroll and East.
- Dropping into the relegation zone - as Comberton won!
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