Cowley CC v Bushley CC, Sunday 5th August 2018.

Cowley visit the lovely ground at Bushley Green, with the road separating the pavilion from the pitch. It was another scorching afternoon and Eric had no hesitation in batting first on a dry wicket. Eric opened with Nick and made a purposeful start against some good bowling. Nick had dispatched his first scoring shot over the road into the bushes before being trapped plum in front, departing for 6 with the score on 17. Next man in was Jonny who looked to attack from the off. He added 12 in a partnership of 15 with Eric which included a four and a six before falling in the same fashion as Nick. Debutant Ralph entered the fray and together with Eric settled the ship and put on a solid partnership, this time with Eric being the main aggressor. Eric passed 50 and was threatening to make a really big score before being caught and bowled for a fine 58, and Cowley were 109 for 3. Tom joined the steadfast Ralph, and played the only way he knows how - dealing some mighty blows (his second ball flying over the boundary) amongst a few fresh air swipes. Bushley eventually found a way though Ralphs solid defences and bowled him for 12 (138 for 4). Tom finally missed a straight one to be bowled for 21 leaving us on 156 for 5. Mike and Dave kept up the tempo, putting on a further 24 when Mike was cleaned up for 16 (but not before he managed to do himself another injury, and he hobbled off unable to pay any further part in the match). Dave was joined by Daniel for the final couple of overs and they managed to get us up to a very respectable 196 without further loss as we concluded our allowed 35 overs.

After a very pleasant tea we were back over the road and began our task of defending 196. Aji opened with with a maiden and Grace kept that pressure up from the other end with a probing line and length. In the fifth over the pressure paid off and Aji had one opener caught at square leg by Ralph and then bowled the other opener before either of them could get going. Grace continued to bowl in good areas and the corridor of uncertainty did for the no4 as he edged behind for a duck, 'keeper Blazey senior being very grateful to have clung on. Joel replaced Aji who had bowled a very tidy spell of 6-1-24-2 (not helped by some buzzers...) and began with a wicket maiden - bowling the dangerous no3 for a patient 30. Grace completed her spell (7-0-25-1) to be replaced by more youth as Daniel tested out the batsmen with yet more accurate deliveries. The no5 mistimed a shot for Adrian to gratefully pouch the resulting top edge and Cowley were really on top. Sensing the opportunity for a rare victory we kept up the pressure and Joel and Daniel did not let up. Joel forced another top edge for Blazey senior to snaffle up and then the Bushley innings rather fell away. Daniel got his second wicket as the only other Bushley batsmen to have got going hit a ball straight to a waiting Dave at mid wicket. Joel then forced two miscues which resulted in a comfortable catch to Eric and a skier which was calmly taken by Nick. The hat-trick ball was safely negotiated and Joel had to settle for a double wicket maiden. Daniel wrapped things up by clean bowling the no11 and Cowley completed a well earned victory. Joel finished with best ever figures of 6-2-22-4 and Daniel with excellent figures of 4.3-1-8-3. A relentless bowling display by Aji and the youth (sounds like a band) meant a Cowley victory by 116 runs, set up by a good batting performance cemented by Eric's 58.

Commiserations to Bushley who played a good game but came up against a Cowley team in form. What a great venue for village cricket and another game played in great spirit, this time however a rare win for the mighty Cowley. Well played everyone and we hope Mike will be back to full fitness soon.