CCC 89 for 5 lost to Barnet 93 for 1 by 9 wickets

Team : I Cooper (Capt), M Levy (wk), J Barker, J Rice, A Bassil, C Teale, G Eldred, S Mehta, A Towler, C Holmes, J Lang

An extremely spirited effort by the U13 side was not quite good enough against what appeared to be a very talented Barnet side.

Ian won the toss and as usual chose to bat. Unfortunately Plan A got off to a bad start as Ian was run out in the second over for just 5 - good fielding, but not a great call from Joe - and then George was unlucky to be out lbw for just 1.

Michael then joined Joe for some rebuilding and things were looking good until 2 wickets fell in the space of 4 balls - first Michael was well caught one handed at square leg for 12 and then Jack was caught and bowled without scoring to leave the score precariously placed at 25 for 4.

Visions of the early season 36 all out were soon dispelled by Joe, who increased in confidence, sharing a 17 run partnership with Jamie (1) and then an unbroken stand of 49 in very good time with Christian who added a well made 14 not out. Joe finished unbeaten on 39 and a final score of 89 for 5, whilst always looking a bit below par, was a good effort in the circumstances.

In response things began for Fosters with 2 maidens from Ian and Joe. After a brief flurry of runs an early wicket for Joe left Barnet on 14 for 1. Unfortunately this was as good as it got as the Barnet wicketkeeper, captain and opening batsman showed his class with an extremely well made 54 not out, punishing the bad balls and respecting the good ones.

Overall though it was a good effort in the field with everyone trying extremely hard - the opponents though were just too good.

CCC 124 for 6 beat Botany Bay 121 for 4 by 6 wickets

Team : I Cooper (Capt), M Cisternas (wk), J Barker, J Rice, M Worley, S Louka, A Bassil,     C Teale, C Cattlin, G Eldred, S Mehta

Another nail biter for the usual band of supporters to witness but in the end an excellent end to the regular season campaign.

Oddly Fosters found themselves in the field as Botany By won the toss and chose to bat. With the league clinched, and a weakened team thanks to the unavailability of Priyesh and injury to Michael, Ian chose to give everyone a game and therefore all of the outfield players got 2 overs each. It was hard going against some competent opening batsmen and after 10 overs Botany Bay had reached 61 for 0.

Crucially at this point Christian and Alex put the brakes on and despite some big shots at the end the score didn't run away from Cockfosters and Botany Bay closed on 121 for 4 - Ian picking up a wicket maiden with the third last over of the game (which also included a run out) with Monty and Chris picking up the other wickets.

In response it was vital that the top 3 of Ian, Joe and George got big scores. However Joe and George were both out early, and when Jack Rice fell leg before, Fosters were on just 31 for 3 from 6 overs. Ian however was playing beautifully at the other end and was now joined by Chris in an important stand of 55 off of 10 overs, with Chris adding 10 useful runs and making every effort to keep Ian on strike. Sachin went soon after to a good ball and when Moises joined Ian an improbable 31 runs were needed from 18 balls.

In the next over after a couple of singles, Ian hit a 4 and then a mighty pull for 6 to take the score to 103. In the next over after Moises got off strike, Ian hit another pull shot into Cockfosters Road and followed up with some quick runs - 114. 8 to win and the first 3 balls of the next over were all hit to fielders on the boundary - the first 2 balls saw excellent 2s taken, but the 3rd saw Moises out of his ground. 3 wanted from 3 and Ian hit the next ball for a single. 2 to win and Christian on strike - all the fielders converged. The next ball went down legside but Christian failed to connect - no mistake next time though as he glanced it down past the short fine leg fieldsman for 4.

An amazing win capped by Ian's magnificent 63 ball 84 not out - giving him an incredible season's average (which included the cup game) of 97.75. It all bore out my words to the Botany Bay scorers at the start of the innings - 'whilst Ian's in you'll know which batsman is which, and if Ian stays in the game's over!'   

CCC 147 for 2 beat Finchley 111 for 7 by 36 runs

Team : I Cooper (Capt), M Cisternas (wk), P Patel, J Barker, A Bassil, C Teale, C Cattlin,    G Eldred, S Mehta, C Holmes, M Levy

Another fine display by the Under 13 side secured the Division 2 title with a comprehensive victory over their nearest rivals Finchley.

The Cockfosters innings was once again indebted to the fine strokeplay of Ian Cooper (73 not out), although he received ample support from Joe Barker (30), Priyesh Patel (18) and George Eldred (17 not out).

In reply Finchley were never able to get into their stride as some generally tight bowling restricted the run rate, exemplified by Joe Barker's opening spell of 3 overs for just 4 runs, with wickets falling at regular intervals.

It was great to see the usual ranks of encouraging parents swelled for this important game by additional Cockfosters supporters - I am sure that the Colts really appreciate this continued support.

CCC 144 for 5 beat Winchmore Hill B 119 for 2 by 25 runs

Team : I Cooper (Capt), M Levy, M Cisternas (wk), P Patel, J Barker, J Rice, C Teale,         C Cattlin, G Eldred, S Louka, M Worley

Another game, another bat first, score lots and win just about effort! This time though with somewhat more to spare than in recent weeks.

Ian won the toss and as usual decided to bat. He and Michael added 71 for the opening wicket of which Michael scored just 9, Ian batting supremely well, although turning down the singles to protect his injured knee. He was then ably supported by Priyesh (run out for 16 - much too much glee about that from Mr Barker (see report below)) and George with 18.

Ian's innings, which included a lost ball in the hedge from a mighty 6, was finally brought to an end in the final over for 88 off of a fine catch and the innings concluded on another magnificent score of 144 for 5.

In reply Winchmore Hill B batted well but were never really up with the rate, which allowed Ian to avoid bowling himself and allow everyone else a chance! Priyesh and Joe opened up with a tidy spell. Jack, Sam and Monty were a bit expensive but then 4 overs between Michael (1 for 8 - a fine low catch from Ian) and Christian (0 for 5) effectively ended the game as a contest. The one remaining challenge was to see if the opener could reach his 50 which he duly did with the penultimate ball of the game. The final ball saw the second wicket fall as Christian easily held on to a chance off of Priyesh.

The side remain unbeaten and now go to Finchley next week for a must win game which is effectively a title decider. 

CCC 154 for 4 beat Southgate 148 for 2 by 6 runs

Team : M Levy (Capt), M Cisternas (wk), P Patel, J Barker, J Rice, C Teale, C Cattlin, A Bassil, G Eldred, C Holmes, M Worley

When this reporter arrived at the ground to find Southgate just commencing their innings, I thought I was going to be able to watch a nice workout and a comfortable win - how wrong I was soon proved to be.

Michael won the toss and as usual batted first. A slow start ensued and Michael fell to a good inswinger for 7 (that's what he told me!!). Priyesh soon ran out Joe Barker whilst seemingly asleep at the crease - he more than made up for it. By the time the innings was over he had crushed 95 unbeaten runs including 2 sixes and countless 4s as Southgate became more and more ragged in the field.

Priyesh was ably supported by George (18), Jack (12) and Chris (2*) as they shepherded him on strike to continue the assault.

In response Southgate got off to a positive start taking lots of singles and generally looking impressive until George removed their opener. Good spells from Alex, Joe and Christian kept Southgate behind the rate as they reached 71 for 1 with 9 overs remaining. At this point the batsmen let loose with almost 10 runs per over coming off the next 6 overs as Priyesh and Chris proved expensive.

With 3 overs to go 30 runs were needed and wisely Michael took Chris off and brought back George, who had been slightly expensive early on, to bowl a crucial over which yielded just 3 runs. It all seemed over with Joe up to bowl the next over, but some wonderful hitting brought 14 off of the penultimate over leaving one over from Christian and 13 runs required.

Michael had everyone on the boundary and the Fosters parents nerves were finally settled as Christian bowled an excellent over and the first 4 balls went 1, 1, 0, W to leave an unlikely 11 wanted from the last 2 balls. Another dot ball followed to secure the win, with a 4 off the final ball being irrelevant.

Well done to the lads for sticking with this when it looked like the massive score would be in vain. Special mention for Jack's work in the field and Moises behind the stumps.

Still unbeaten with 3 games to go!
 

CCC 123 for 2 beat Enfield 117 for 6 by 6 runs

A fabulous 55 from Joe Barker gave the U13s another massive score, despite once again being without their skipper! This set up a hard fought victory over Enfield, who retired their best batsmen and then fell 6 runs short.
 

CCC 127 for 2 beat Botany Bay 122 for 5 by 5 runs

Team : M Levy (Capt/Wkt), P Patel, J Barker, J Rice, C Teale, C Cattlin, A Bassil, A Towler, S Louka, S Mehta, C Holmes

The question was asked at the end of the previous match report, and it was duly answered in emphatic style. After the early loss of Jack Rice, Priyesh Patel joined Michael Levy in the middle. While Michael followed his father's advice to settle in and bat the innings, Priyesh punished anything loose, while defending the good deliveries. The score soon rattled along thanks to a succession of boundaries from Priyesh who deservedly brought up his 50 with another fine 4. After taking their partnership to 88, Priyesh finally fell for 59.

If Botany Bay thought this would slow things down they were much mistaken as Joe Barker scored a brisk 20 off of just 14 deliveries and Michael finally cut loose to carry his bat for 25 not out. Crucially the final 3 overs added 30 runs.

In response Botany Bay were always up with the rate but crucially Christian Teale came good once again taking 2 useful wickets in a tidy 4 over spell. Joe and Priyesh, given time to recover from their batting heroics came on to hopefully finish things off. However whilst Joe bowled a tidy spell of 1 for 15 off of his 4 overs, Priyesh was expensive.

With 2 overs left the Botany Bay opener was still in with 26 required for victory. Skipper Michael turned to Chris Cattlin, who bowled the vital over in taking a wicket and giving away just 6 runs. Although the opener again got after Priyesh in the final over, 20 runs was too many to get and victory by 5 runs was secured.

Still unbeaten - where is that league table?

CCC 119 for 7 beat Finchley 88 all out by 31 runs

Team : I Cooper (Capt), M Levy (Wkt), P Patel, J Barker, J Rice, C Teale, C Cattlin, A Bassil, M Worley, S Louka, S Mehta

After 2 abandoned fixtures it was back to normal for the U13s. As usual batting first, they once again lost an early wicket as Michael Levy succumbed to one that kept very low. That didn't worry Ian Cooper, who simply went on an onslaught that brought countless boundaries in a wonderful 87 off of just 17 overs. Sadly he lost concentration when told what he was on and skied one to the keeper, very next ball!

Ian was ably supported by Priyesh Patel who scored 17 and generally ensured that Ian remained on strike - clearly the right way to play when Ian is in such form.

In reply Finchley were never really in it thanks to a lively opening spell by Priyesh and Joe Barker which saw off the opening batsmen. Some useful contributions in the middle order had the sun drenched spectators a little worried, until the introduction of Christian Teale brought 3 wickets in 2 overs in his first spell. He then came back for a final wicket to finish with the remarkable figures of 4 for 6. Joe Barker came back on for the final wicket and the match was wrapped up in the final over with a comfortable 31 run victory.

With Ian away for Sunday's fixture at Botany Bay it is up to the rest of the lads to come good with the bat.
 

CCC 123 for 4 beat Enfield 96 for 7 by 27 runs

Team : I Cooper (Capt), M Levy (Wkt), G Eldred, T Case, P Patel, J Barker, J Rice, C Teale, C Cattlin, A Bassil, C Holmes

The Enfield ground looked a picture as the U13 began their league campaign. Asked to bat first, despite the early loss of Michael Levy for a duck, the scoreboard rattled on thanks to a quickfire 43 from skipper Ian Cooper. He was ably supported by George Eldred and once Ian departed, George came into his own as he also score 43 falling to the final ball of the inning, having incorrectly been told that he needed a 6 for his 50. Pritesh Patel also got in some lusty blows at the end to finish on 12 not out as the innings closed on 123 for 4.

The Enfield reply never looked like getting close to the target, particularly after 2 early wickets from Pritesh Patel left them on 12 for 2 after 4 overs. It was really a practice session from then on as Ian Cooper gave everyone a bowl and Enfield made sure that everyone got a bat. Enfield got as far as they did (96 for 7) mainly thanks to a few dropped catches - I think we know what needs to be worked on next Monday!