COCKFOSTERS WIN LAST BALL THRILLER

CCC 100 for 9 beat Winchmore Hill A 99 for 9 by 1 wicket

Team: M. Langley (Capt.), A. Blaby (wk), M. Shore, I. Cooper, J. Woodbridge, A. Singh,    M. Smith, S. Barker, J. Barker, D. Smith, G. Corbett

Matt Langley lost the toss to a double-headed coin and on the hottest July day ever Cockfosters were asked to field. Tidy bowling from Matthew Shore and Daniel Smith restricted Hill’s opening bats before two dropped catches and a rush of runs saw the score mount to 36. In Daniel’s final over he bowled batsmen with his last two balls to complete an excellent spell of bowling. A quick run out saw Cockfosters back on top. The Hill tried to press ahead, but a bowler's wicket to Matt Shore, another run out and controlled bowling from Sam Barker held them in check. Akash Singh and Ian Cooper took over the bowling and in a bizarre over from Akash, there was a wicket, two dropped catches and 8 runs.  Cockfosters started to hold their catches as Matt Shore, Daniel Smith and Akash held skiers. Akash picked up another wicket and Ian claimed two wickets with measured bowling. Hill finished on 99 which didn’t seem enough on a fast outfield.

Matt Shore and Ian Cooper opened the innings against some hostile bowling and after the early departure of Ian (5), Matt Langley played some fine legside shots to keep the score ticking over. In the 5^th over with the score on 27 Matt (9) was bowled, then Jon Woodbridge helped his skipper get the score to 48 off 8 overs before Matt (23) was caught to end an innings full of quality. Soon after Jon (6) was lbw and Akash (1) was beaten by a slower ball and Cockfosters had stumbled to 62 for 5 of 10 overs.

Adam Blaby and Michael Smith came together and calmly picked up some quick singles interspersed with some fine blows for 4 to take the score to 90 with 5 overs to go and Cockfosters looked to be heading for a comfortable win. However, Michael (12) holed out, as did Sam Barker (1), then a mix-up saw Joseph Barker (3) run out to leave Cockfosters requiring 7 runs to win off the last over with two wickets left. Some scurried runs between Daniel Smith and Adam off the first two balls saw the score to 95. Daniel (2) was then bowled to leave last man in Greg Corbett to face the last three balls with 5 to win. A run off a wide boosted Cockfosters chances and Adam calmly hit the next ball to mid-wicket for a quickly run single. Greg turned the next to backward square leg for a run and tie the scores. With one required for a win off the last ball Adam stroked it to mid-off and ran like the wind to complete the run and victory for Cockfosters.

A great team effort by the U15s to win their last match of the season.

Finchley 180 for 8 beat CCC 77 for 9 by 103 runs

Finchley's opening batsman Fred put the U15s to the sword with a remarkable innings of 122. Only Sam Barker stood in the way of this onslaught with splendid figures of 2 for 16.

The Fosters heads were not surprisingly down before the end of this innings and it continued into their reply which faltered from the outset and finished on just 77 -Will Hicks (17) and Akash Singh (11) being the only payers to make double figures.

Winchmore Hill B 152 for 2 beat CCC 117 all out by 35 runs

Cockfosters were punished by the Winchmore Hill opening batsman and ended up having to chase over 150 to win.

There were some fine efforts with the bat in reply as Matt Shore (29) and Matt Langley (27) opened up the innings and some useful contributions lower down from Akash Singh (23) and Priyesh Patel (21 not out) put up a respectable reply - but one that ultimately was not good enough to keep up the momentum in the league.

Botany Bay 28 all out, CCC 29 for 1

It was an ill advised decision to bat first as Dan Smith took a hat trick and Sam Barker took 4 wickets in 2 overs to quickly end this match as a contest.

CCC 67 all out lost to Winchmore Hill A 71 for 2

A story of what might have been. As usual Cockfosters found themselves batting first and after 8 overs were handily placed on 37 for 1, with Matt Langley (14) and John Woodbridge (10) taking the score on nicely after Matt Shore's earlier dismissal for 11. 6 overs later though and the innings had been completely undone as the score faltered to 49 for 7. Despite the best efforts of the lower order the innings closed 2 overs early on 67 all out.

With very little to defend it was essential that the openers kept things tight and that all chances were taken. Will Hicks and Scott Lishak caused plenty of problems for the opening batsmen and despite no immediate breakthrough after 9 overs Winchmore Hill had added only 17 runs. The following over contained a key moment as in Dan Smith's opening over successive short balls went for 4, then a difficult chance to Adam Blaby that was put down, then a 6!

Dan got his reward in his next over thanks to a smart catch by Matt Langley but the previous let off was crucial. Tidy bowling by both Dan and Sam Barker kept the rate acceptable but the wickets just would not come. With 4 overs to go Akash Singh came on and finally removed the other opener and then later in the over a difficult chance was put down by John Woodbridge. This was the final chance to take control and Winchmore Hill reached their target with 10 balls to spare.

Another 20 runs and this could all have been a very different ending, nevertheless an excellent effort in the field from a young group which clearly has plenty of team spirit.