Cowley CC v Bayshill CC Weds 10th May 2018

Cowley welcomed Bayshill CC for the second game of the season. Having come agonisingly close last week (losing by 2 runs on the final ball to the Stroud Posties) Cowley were keen to cross the line this time.
Jonny won the toss and decided to have a bat first on a fresh wicket. Will, opening the batting against his better judgment, took a couple of overs to remember how to bat and then let loose with some cracking shots, retiring on 28 (including 5 fours) in the 7th over with the score on 34. Dave was rotating the strike nicely and happy to let his partner inflict the heavy blows. Tony came in at 3 and in similar vein to Will he took the attack to the Bayshill bowlers and plundered 29 (2 fours, 2 sixes) in quick time, retiring with the score on a very healthy 83 at the end of the 10th over. Dave reached his run-a-ball 25 a couple of overs later to allow the Wades to bat in tandem. Fearing a run out was inevitable, it was almost a relief when Jonny was judged LBW for 7 as we lost our first wicket in the 14th over with 102 on the board. Joe came out to bat (in I think his second ever game) and swung his blade heartily for no reward, stumped with a single to his name in the 16th over. This brought Tom to the crease and he attacked the bowling from the off (no surprise there). However Bayshill kept things tight and never really allowed him to get into his stride. The run rate slowed. Phil was bowled with one that kept low in the final over for a well made 14, Louis was caught & bowled for a second ball duck, Si was caught for a golden duck and Joel survived the hat-trick ball as our innings petered out at 127 for 7, Tom stranded on 16 not out.

Debutant Daniel opened the bowling and was very tidy with a maiden and then only 2 from his second over. Si was slightly more erratic but the Bays no2 smacked him straight to the safe hands of Tony at mid on. We were forced to wait for further inroads however as Joel was rewarded with 2 dropped catches for his efforts and Jonny was taken to the cleaners. Will bowled a nice couple of overs for no reward and it was Tom who finally got the breakthrough (after 3 Bayshill batsmen had retired), bowling the no5. Louis followed this up well as 2 more batsmen fell, one caught by Si (4th time lucky), and one well held by Daniel. Joe bowled well, however we were still looking down the barrel going into the death overs. Cowley kept their heads though despite the fading light and threat of drizzle. Tony kept one end tight and Phil was left to defend 3 in the final over. Some dots, a comical run out and a wide and it was down to the last ball - one for a tie, two for the Bays to win. Unable to get bat on ball the batsmen scamper through for a bye and the game is tied.

We would rue the dropped catches and the number of wides we bowled, but it almost felt like a victory to snatch a tie from the jaws of defeat. Well done to the whole team for never giving up and lets hope we can get over the line soon and record our first win for 2018. See you soon.