Cowley CC v Bibury CC Sunday 16th August 2020

Cowley travelled to Bibury for a 30 over friendly, hoping the weather would hold off.
The storm did stay away and Cowley lost the toss and were invited to bat first. Dave and Adrian got us off to a steady start, keeping the score ticking over and rotating the strike well. The two openers accumulated well and the partnership was broken in the 13th over on 64 as Dave mistimed a drive to be caught for 12.With this foundation Adrian continued to chip away as Eric played his naturally more aggressive game and the pair continued to frustrate Bibury. Adrian reached 50 with the help of a couple of reverse sweeps among his 5 boundaries but was undone by the off-spinner and trapped LBW for a well played 55. The pair had put on 96 for the second wicket and Cowley were in a reasonable position. Erics fifty came shortly afterwards and he and Keith continued to press on, adding a further 38 to finish on a credible 198 for 2 from our 30 overs. Eric scored 10 boundary 4's and one maximum on his way to finishing 74 not out, a fantastic knock, well supported by first Adrian and then Keith (10 not out).
Aji was unable to conjure a wicket but his opening partner Ed twice hit the timbers to send both openers back to the shed. Will came on first change and built up some great pressure which paid off in another couple of batsmen being bowled. Dave Holt and Ajay blowed nicely with no reward and our next victim was an LBW from Phil. However despite the fall of wickets, Bibury were doing a decent job of keeping the runs coming and with 7 overs to go they required a further 49 to win. Keith brought himself on at one end and Eric at the other. Runs were still leaking but crucially Keith bowled the well set no 5. Eric had the another set batsman stumped thanks to very sharp work by Dave Hollard being the stumps and then Keith picked up another as an LBW appeal was upheld on about the 3rd attempt. Adrian (having spent most of the innings grazing in the outfield just the other side of the fence from the cows in cow corner) just about fumbled a throw in from point as the batsmen tried to steal a single and despite the throw being wayward Dave Hollard was able to throw down the wickets to complete the run out. This brought the final man to the crease and he was undone by Keith as Will completed a catch as Bibury were bowled out for 167 in 29 overs.
Cowley were able to taste that most elusive of delights, a victory, and all before the weather turned. Splendid.