CTCC 3rd XI vs Frinton

CTCC 3rd XI vs Frinton

Coggeshall 3rd XI Match Report.
31/05/2014. - Coggeshall 3rd XI vs Frinton 3rd XI.
With the sun shining, it was not a day for the fair skinned on Saturday, as returning University student Chris Girling was constantly reminded by Mark Butler upon gracing the Airfield with his presence. Luckily, Girling had come prepared with the Factor 50 sun cream that his mother had packed for him and the match was able to get underway without much hassle.
After the usual pre-match discussion about sun cream had finished, minds switched to a big clash in which the third team had the chance to win their first game of the season, having been unlucky and competitive in most games so far this season. Frinton were a strong team, and Ben Smart, the Coggeshall skipper couldn’t decide what the pitch would play like, and therefore inserted Frinton into bat to see what kind of task would be upon Coggeshall. After eventually settling down after hearing about Charlie Gibson’s shopping exploits in Chelsea the day before, the Coggy XI set out into the field full of enthusiasm. Gibson (played by Oliver Proudlock) was to open up at the Pavilion End and as usual had the batsman playing and missing at the odd ball on a pitch which did not help the bowlers that much. Mark Butler bowled from the other end and provided the extra height and bounce which constantly had the opening batsman playing and missing. The Frinton openers, Newland and Oram settled in and started to see the ball, but with a lot of swinging from one end and a few dropped catches they eventually moved the score onto 64 with some fine shots and meaty connections. Catching practice again is a must for the 3rds and as soon as catches begin to be caught, that elusive win will come. Coggy finally got the breakthrough when Oram chipped Rory Miller to Gibson (played by Oliver Proudlock) and he took the catch, it was a very good catch considering Gibson (played by Oliver Proudlock) had been unlucky and had a few dropped off his bowling but he kept his head and took it comfortably. Another big partnership followed with Newland now looking comfortable and when Cooper started to feel confident the run rate began to rise and Frinton rattled onto 160 for 1. When just within a boundary of a century partnership, Kane Addison managed to get Cooper to nick one behind and Alex Wickens took a good catch standing up to the stumps. Hobbs joined Newland at the wicket and with Newland happy to play the anchor role, Hobbs started to hit some lusty blows around the ground and it looked like a big score was developing. Charlie Gibson (played by Oliver Proudlock) was then back on to bowl and he cleaned Newland up for a very good 89, with a ball that looked like it had some extra pace on it, it was the least Gibson deserved after his opening spell. Lawes then joined Hobbs and again the runs continued to flow until Butler came on, and took the wicket of Hobbs for 37, when he smacked it to mid-wicket, and Richard Gray took a delightful one handed catch, whereas if he had just stayed where he was, it would have been a simple catch, Gray went one way, and then the other but took the catch which was a major boost for Cogg and proved they could hold on to their chances. The Frinton innings then fizzled out thanks to some good and accurate bowling from Butler and Gibson (played by Oliver Proudlock) and Frinton ended up on an imposing 231-4 from their 45 overs.
Special Mentions must go to the Wickens family who served up a delightful tea, which included some homemade brownies and cookies and made sure both teams had enough fuel for the next 45 overs. However, it must be noted, next time brownies are on the menu; make sure Charlie Gibson (looks like Oliver Proudlock) is at the back of the queue, if you want some, that is.
It must be safe to say, Coggeshall have had better starts to their batting replies, because when Kane Addison and a hamstrung, but non-burnt Chris Girling walked out to bat, things went downhill very quickly. Frinton opened up with E Ball and T Oram, and just two balls into the innings, Addison played on to Ball and was sent back to the pavilion. Richard Gray strode out to the middle and immediately looked comfortable, seeing out the rest of a tricky over. Girling at the other end, doing his first bit of exercise in over 9 months, just tried to get bat on ball and in his first attempt at a quick single, felt that unused hamstring pull and let out a yelp that dogs barking all over Earls Colne. In quite comical fashion, Addison had just unpadded and got changed, before he was commanded to don the whites again and pad up. After 2 overs of waiting for his runner, Girling decided that enough was enough and could not run anymore and slapped Oram over mid-wicket for four, but then two balls later Oram found Girling’s weakness, which is to bowl straight, and trapped Girling halfway up the middle of middle stump. In typical style, Addison was just ready to stroll out to help the hampered Girling, when the dreaded finger of J Blackwell sent Girling on his way, and Coggeshall were now struggling on 7-2 off 4 overs. Alex Wickens then joined Gray in the middle and the two repaired the innings somewhat looking comfortable with some big hits. Gray was then bowled by Ball and who had delivered an accurate and economical spell, finishing with figures of 7-1-17-2. Charlie Gibson (played by Oliver Proudlock) then ventured out to join Wickens and the two looked comfortable together, building another partnership and going along nicely. Frinton then bought on Wilderspin-Webb to try and make the breakthrough, and he did, albeit in unfortunate style for Coggeshall. The less said about Gibson’s dismissal, the better, but at least it is a learning curve for the youngsters out there and I’m sure the same mistake won’t be made again. However, Gibson was on his way and Captain Ben Smart joined Wickens, who was going along nicely, at the crease. Smart played a decent little innings, including his first ever six in cricket (Congrats) before he tried one hit too many and was clean bowled, it must be said it was not the SMARTest bit of cricket ever seen, (Sorry) but Frinton were bowling very well and keeping the pressure on Coggeshall. Lawes and Wilderspin-Webb were now bowling very tightly and when Wickens went for another big hit and was bowled for 41 by Wilderspin-Webb, it left Coggeshall on 105-5, and with an almighty task ahead. However, if there was ever a man for a crisis, it would be the skyscraper Mark Butler, who after his bowling spells of sheer pace, walked out a confident man and he and John Blackwell again put another decent little partnership on, which summed up Coggys batting reply, little partnerships which never developed. After a tidy partnership of 28, Blackwell then tried to put the ball from Wilderspin-Webb all the way back to Coggeshall and was bowled, a familiar dismissal for Coggeshall on a day that could have promised so much. McCabe, Miller and Shuter all came and went, which left Butler stranded at the other end, looking good on 23 not out, but the tail must be commended and guiding Coggeshall above 150 and gaining vital bonus points.
All in all, some application was needed by Coggeshall and they ended up on a respectable 166, but it must be said that they were outplayed by a strong Frinton team who will be there or thereabouts at the top of the table come the end of the season.
Special Mentions of the day:
The Wickens Family: For supplying a very well presented tea.
Kane Addison: For collecting Match Fees with (almost) no argument at all.
Report by C Girling