Cowley CC v Longley Longhorns. Sunday 19th August 2012

"Hello All. Before I get on with the match report proper I would like to take this opportunity from all of us to thank Tim for his efforts yesterday that made for such a grand occasion. A great tea followed a well organised BBQ and plenty of 'liquid' to wash it down with. Coupled with that we even had half a dozen or so locals come down from both Cowley & Coberley which is in no small part due to Tim's BBQ notices but also Adam & Gareth who also put notices up. The old folks enjoyed looking at the team pictures from the 50s,60s & 70s - a real nostalgia trip for them."

"The previous day myself and Beccy went to Coberley fete and managed to get 40 names on the petition to add to those from the Green Dragon and those gained yesterday at the ground. At the fete I met three former players (even older than Mike Loving), two former tea ladies and a Former Club Secretary. There is strong feeling out there and empathy for our plight and a few of the locals I met were among those that came to the ground yesterday. Also there are three locals that want to play if we retain a ground locally, so hopefully we can keep going.".........

........ On a warm, humid, sunny day we welcomed the 10 men of Longney & our own Tom Hayward !! Fridays downpours ensured a wettish pitch and having won the toss Dave had no hesitation inserting the opposition in to bat with a brand new Cherry available. Longneys openers flattered to deceive & after hitting a few early boundaries, Rich snapped up a sharp chance behind the timbers off the accurate Eric. He soon followed with a well taken caught and bowled, before the ever reliable Tim accounted for the other opener clean bowled.

With three wickets down our opening bowlers were replaced by the 'Green Dragons' Adam & Will Haly, accounting for Four & two Wickets between them. Adam bowled a sharp spell down the hill taking 4-14 - two cleaned bowled and two from great catches by Nick Blake. Will himself could have had four wickets if it was not for a couple of dropped chances (one by the author !!) but one of those catches held on to dismiss our own Tom Hayward for 8 who displayed a sound batting technique again.

Ludo then bowled the number eleven to leave the number 10 as the last man standing**, who proceeded to score 21 before being caught by Eric of the bowling of Nick, to leave Longney 124 All Out.

(** We played 12 a side, hence Longney were allowed to have their last man standing. We had 15 players, so 3 opted out of bowling and 3 out of batting - equivalent to 12 a side )

So after a great tea from Tim, the run chase begin. Longneys bowlers exploited the wet conditions by bowling slow bowlers and with little pace on the ball we crept along at one an over for half of the innings. Adrian Moss & Steve both went without a run being scored by Cowley before Keith Franklin who was promoted to opener put on 21 with Cowley legend Mike Loving eventually bowled by Tom Hayward for 7. Keith was then joined by John who scored 15 before being dismissed by Tom also with the score on 48 with 31 overs gone. The miserly bowling exemplified by bowlers Cripps & Burns who only gave away 6 runs each in their 8 over spells!!

The Captain then juggled his batting order. Nick also spotting disaster elected to be a non batsman and we dragged Rich in from umpiring duties to shore up the middle order at Number 6. He delivered with 31 quick runs including two 6's and Keith still batting away the other end accelerated quietly. He then was caught going for another big hit holeing out with the win in touching distance. Then disaster Keith, so long the sheet anchor opener was caught for 45. Enter Dave to join Gareth R-W. The latter showing his continuing promise with the bat with some lusty blows to fielders for singles and a well struck boundary.

Down to the last over and Four to win, Ball 1 - Gareth cracks a ball to mid-wicket and the author in his excitement sets off for a single, but the fielder gets to it and runs Gareth out for 7. (Note to self - Try not to run your team mates out when going for a win - see victim 1- M.Hartley re: win over Cheltenham Post Office). Balls 2 & 3 - Dave Swishes and misses. Ball 4 -pulls at a ball but top edges over keeper for two. Two to win off two balls!! Ball 5 the captain (7 not out) sweeps for two runs to long leg to seal victory with a ball to spare, with Mike H not out the other end.

A great win (By 5 wickets) on a great day and we possibly hailed a last goodbye to the Ground but it didn't stop the celebrations at Courtney's gazebo, bar & grill.