After the disappointment of the previous week, the 2nds entertained Cockenach 2nds with a determination to try and put up a better show.

Gav and Mick set the tone with strong opening spells with the visitors losing two quick wickets to the former while both proved frugal. A very solid start. The baton was picked up by the other bowlers though Cockenach’s batsmen were quick to punish the occasional bad ball. In all of this our fielding remained generally tight and where clear chances were given catches were taken (MVS with 2 and one each for Gav and Darren). Sam in particular bowled well and was rewarded with a wicket. His 6 overs for 22 runs being his best for the club.
Gav and Mick returned at the end of the innings and were each rewarded with a wicket.. Micks final figures of 1 for 24 off 10 overs (with 3 maidens) being reward for bowling a good line and length. Even allowing for what was a solid bowling and fielding display, Cockenach finished on 205 for 6, a total far in excess of any that the team has previously chased.

After taking a well deserved tea, MVS and Gav opened the batting. In less than 30 minutes with less than 30 on the board 4 wickets had been lost.. A combination of some good Cockenach bowling and a run out meant that another low score was looming.
It was at this time that H was joined at the crease by Darren. The two of them started to bring some respectability to the score with H taking the lead but just as it looked as if calmer waters were on the horizon H was bowled for 43 (2 fours and 1 six). Daniel followed without adding to the score leaving your correspondent to join Darren in the middle.
After an initial minor ‘run out’ scare of yes, no, YES , discussions centred on how we might avoid getting out and hopefully get a batting point for reaching 120. Darren was clearly seeing and hitting the ball cleanly while I was concentrating on trying to push the odd single. We proceeded with this strategy: at every over end having the same chat –
Darren ‘ I’m knackered ! Just do what you are doing’
Phil ‘ We might even get to 150. I’ll back you up . Run when you want’
Good news was that Darren hit a number of 4s / 6s so our running was lessened to some extent ! Through all of this the mood of our opposition changed from initial sympathy to respect and then concern that we might get close to their total. Darren continued to punish the shortish ball and I managed to hang around. It always looked as it we had a few too many to get but 160 and another batting point was reached. 170 was passed and then 180, still we were fast running out of overs. Cockenach brought their opening bowlers back in an attempt to slow the rate down but still Darren was scoring.
It took a good full length yorker to dismss Darren from the last ball of the penultimate over. His 93 was the biggest score achieved by a second team player to date and comprised 13 4s and 2 6s. I have no doubt that his 7th wicket stand with the correspondent is a similar record for the 2nds!
(TBC !!!)
The last over was a bit of an anti-climax though Ed returned 3 not out including a fast scampered two off the last ball (apparently making it by inches.. after I shouted run!) and I remained unbeaten on 21. We finished on 192 for 7, easily the biggest total we have achieved to date. Perhaps the biggest compliment was that of the opposition team as we left the field saying that it was a really good game of cricket.