Cowley CC v Thorley CC. Tues 23rd July 2019

Cowley hosted a touring team from Hertfordshire for a 25 over evening game on a muggy summers evening.

Thorley won the toss and put us in to bat. Edited highlights as follows:

Dave batted nicely to retire on 25 (including a rare beast of a six), Eric also retired on reaching a fluent 26. Joel played some proper cricket shots and ran well for an unbeaten 12 and Arj retired a a quick fire 25. Cowley finished on 125 for 3 from their 25 overs which if Thorley could bat as well as they could bowl was perhaps a little below par.

Keith bowled well for no reward and Jonny came in for some tap. The introduction of Joel swung the game back towards Cowley as he took a wicket in each of his 3 overs; a catch by Toby, by Dave and a clean bowled (3-0-18-3). Ed struck with his first ball to ensure he remains head and shoulders above the rest in the wicket takers this season and Toby picked up a brace courtesy of a catch by Eric and a sharp stumping by Dave (2-0-7-2). Aji bowled a probing spell but couldn't force a breakthrough (a dropped catch didn't help matters). Joel with some excellent fielding got a run out to his name. Adrian and Jon came in for some punishment but Dave completed another sharp stumping from Jons hand grenades. Arj was miserly and Eric unlucky. Adrian came back under duress to bowl his second over with only 3 required for victory in 3 overs (with 2 wickets in hand). He was hit for a couple to level the scores and then inexplicably the batsman missed a straight one and Thorley were 125 for 9... The next ball was comfortably swept for a single and Adrian had lost the match for Cowley for the second week on the trot. I'll get my coat.

A thoroughly enjoyable game played in a wonderful spirit on a very pleasant evening (barring a very brief rain shower) and topped off with a great BBQ by Ann and Charlotte and beers from Ed. Cheers one and all and best wishes to Thorley for the rest of their Gloucestershire tour.