Scorecard

Gracedieu Park II v Cosby Cricket Club 2nd XI on Sat 21 Jun 2008 at
Cosby Cricket Club Won by 109 runs (24 points)

Match report 2nd XI secure impressive victory in Gracedieu gloom

Gracedieu II vs Cosby II, Saturday June 21st 2008.

The Cosby 2nd team travelled up to junction 23 of the M1 in more hope than expectation that they would be able to get a game in against old rivals Gracedieu. The fears of no game looked pretty well founded as it chucked it down all the way to Thringstone, but mercifully the rain appeared to ease off a little as we arrived at the ground.

When the covers were removed we were presented with a juicy looking pitch and still plenty of inclement weather about so there was clearly only one course of action; win the toss and bowl. Unfortunately we lost the toss and were unsurprisingly asked to bat. Meredith had a new opening partner this week in Foxall with regular partner Russ Sullivan at a lesbian wedding (wahey!!!). Gracedieus opening bowlers set about their task with both Mansfield and Hook proving awkward on the rain affected track. Jackie Chan was the 1st to go falling to a good caught and bowled and this started an early precession of wickets as Coxy, Rich and Foxy all quickly joined Meredith back in the pavilion leaving us 28 for 4.

With the rain still coming down Bick (out of retirement) and Sausage set about repairing the innings. First by determined defence and then playing aggressively when the bad balls arrived. The pair batted brilliantly putting on 74 in little over 15 overs before Bick fell for 30 and the score 102 for 5. This brought young prospect Ben Spencer to the crease and the rookie made batting look easy scoring a quick fire 20 including one monstrous 6. After Spencer fell Woody came to the crease and started in his usual manner of tapping it and running. Saus went onto reach a patient and well crafted 50 having played a captains innings on a tough track.

When Sausage fell for 55 we were 7 down with Woody and “Big” Phil Needham at the crease and still 10 overs left to bat. The pair batted brilliantly with Woody dominating the partnership and going on to reach his maiden 50 for the club much to ire of Gragedieus bowler Chiswell who commented “If this guy can score 50 then I could get 400.” (More on this later). The innings closed with still only 7 wickets down and the 2s finishing on 215.

After an excellent tea (a best of the season contender?) the 2s went out to field in conditions that can be described as soggy to say the least (and p*****g it down to say it accurately). Again the rain abated and despite some good bowling from Needham and Wood the Gracedieu openers were frustrating them. Needham eventually got the breakthrough with the score on 40 getting one to take the edge and Saus took a good catch behind the stumps.

Gracedieu continued scoring freely, with their number 3 in particular looking dangerous. Needham and Wood however, were still bowling well and it wasn’t until Needham picked up 2 quick wickets that we looked to be back in the game at 64 for 3. This brought Chiswell to the crease (remember him, he was going to get 400), he lasted about 4 balls before Woody bowled him for a duck (only another 400 required). This was 4 down and now we were well in the game especially as we only needed 8 wickets due to Gracedieu only having 10 to start with and having a team member unable to bat due to a bad knee injury sustained fielding. Neddy went on to claim his first 5 wicket haul for Cosby giving him figures that reflect the improvement in Big Ned this season. It wasn’t all roses when we were bowling with Woody injuring his calf with a ludicrous lbw appeal. This meant young Ben “Frank” Spencer had to come on to bowl and he finished the innings off getting 2 wickets in 2 balls in his 2nd full over, bowling out Gracedieu in 25 overs for another comfortable Cosby victory.

Result: Cosby Win

Points: Gracedieu 3 pts, Cosby 24 pts

MOM: Lots of contenders this week with plenty of people performing well. The skipper gave it to Paul Wood though for his quick fire 50, fine bowling and injuring himself for the cause.

Verdict: Another strong performance by the 2s fighting back with bat and ball meaning we have taken full points for the last 4 weeks and putting us well on course for promotion.

Cosby Cricket Club 2nd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 7 wickets
0
215		        
Nigel Meredith Caught  1
Mark Foxall Bowled  21 1
Matt Cox Bowled  3
Richard Fairbrother Caught  1
Steve Bickle Caught  30
Simon Jones Lbw  55 1
Ben Spencer Caught  20
Paul Wood Not Out  51
Phil Needham Not Out  12
Ben Cox  
Matthew Bills  

Gracedieu Park II Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Gracedieu Park II Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
106 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Cosby Cricket Club 2nd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Phil Needham13.024158.203.15
Paul Wood10.4151151.004.78
Ben Spencer2.00924.504.50