CTCC Sundays vs Rayne NECL Plate
Due to the changes in our Sunday sides for 2015 CTCC were only entered into the Plate competition which is teams from NECL Div 4 and 5 and as only 1 side per club is permitted we had the pleasure of blending our 2 Sunday sides. As always the CTCC Sunday approach is “youth first” and with a nod to experience with DG taking the reins 10 of the 11 players were all under 25 and all 11 had come though the CTCC colt system.
Division 4 side Rayne were the visitors to Harefield and with a hot afternoon, a great looking wicket and with the pressure of 100% success of Saturdays league sides, the old man of the team immediately lost the toss and Rayne unsurprisingly chose to bat. Naturally the lads were understanding and didn’t give the skipper any “chat” at all!
U17 Charlie Gibson opened the bowling with U15 Sam Docherty and both bowlers began challenging the batsmen. However the wicket was good and the outfield fast and any deviation in line and length was punished by the Rayne openers. Gibson made the breakthrough in the 5th over bowling Rayne opener Newman just as he looked ready to get going, 18-1 off 5overs. New batsmen Porter looked less comfortable against Gibsons pace and in the 9th over Gibson took his 2nd wicket with a text book “top of off” delivery,30-2 . Sam D had continued to plug away with little success and made wayfor U17 Glen Shuter. Left armer Glen started with a wayward delivery, not surprisingly after his 2 week injury absence, but soon settled down to give the batsmen some troubles. The score board was ticking along at roughly 5 an over even though the Coggy bowlers were bowling well and giving little away. CG gave way for some off spin from all-rounder Kane Addison to try and change the tempo. Unfortunately the tempo changed the wrong way as KA came in for some stick from the Rayne Batsmen. Glen had taken his first wicket in his 2nd over but still the runs kept coming, 69-3. CTCC were playing well and enjoying the outing even though the runs kept coming but unfortunately the “over exuberance” of youth had resulted in some sloppy fielding and the skipper decided for change and some choice words! Kane took a rest and elder statesmen Gibson called on U14 Louis Gibson to come on and take some control. Louis was a little less metronomic than usual but at the other end Glen S was making inroads. No 4 Whiteside was caught by George “safe hands” Brew for 17 and then the key wicket of Rayne No2 Williams who had built a steady 34 was taken again by Glen S, 101-4 from 20 overs. At this stage a 200 ish score was on the cards but CTCC suddenly found their zip and started to turn the game around. Shuter and Brew linked up again for Number 5 Fielding who had plundered a quick 20, 122-5 before Louis Gibson and keeper U14 Toby Brown re-formed their Newhall School partnership to have number 6 Dawson stumped for 26 ( I wont mention how he was stumped TB!)146-6. CTCC were getting on top and with Louis taking his second wicket courtesy of a simple catch from DG ( whilst avoiding the charging Shuter!), 147-7. Jonny “the twirler” Girling was finding turn and bounce on a drying wicket and it was only a matter of time before tea would be taken. An inspired bowling change brought Kane back on after his first 3 overs cost 22 and saw his next 3 overs clean up the tail with 2 wickets for 0 runs! Jonny Girling picked up the 9th wicket and he should be justly proud of 6 overs 1 -19. Rayne finished on 161 having been 101 -4 from 20 overs showing how well the CTCC boys refocused.

CTCC had a long batting line up and after a few minor arguments( well one, … CDG it was a popular decision!!) the order was set. CTCC knew they had done the hard work and a little concentration would see them home. Tommy Pickles opened with Louis G but a tired looking shot from Louis saw him depart for just 2 with the score on 3 to be replaced by Dad DG. The bowling was the of the slow “line and length” variety tempting the CTCC batsmen into making a mistake but offering little other threat. DG made the first mistake with the score having moved on to 36 in the 12th over bringing K Addison in to join Tommy P at the wicket. Both batsmen began finding the middle of the bat and suddenly scoring was becoming easier. Tommy reached his 50 (2 or 3 times thanks to the fun baby bro Matt was having on the scoreboard!!) and Kane narrowly missed out on his, being dismissed on 41. However by this stage the hard work had been done with these 2 having taken the score to 126-3 from 29. “Safe hands” came to the wicket only to miss a straight one a few balls later and then Chris Girling joined Tommy with the score on 138. 24 required from 9 overs was completed in 4 overs as Chris found his range quickly and completed the victory. Tommy Ps 70 not out was the match winning innings but with everybody chipping in it was a great team effort.
Notes for the team for the next match:
Charlie Gibson owes the team approximately 16 runs from his misfields , missed catches etc
Jonny Girling - bowling balls that bounce twice is barely acceptable at KwikCricket nowadays and appealing off them is definitely a No No!
Glen – If someone else calls for a catch you can stop running toward the ball!
Kane – You can call for a catch!
Louis – Batsmen are allowed to hit good balls for 4!
George – “Catches win matches” so don’t worry about the runs!
Toby – Feel free to talk anytime!
Sam Docherty – see Toby Brown!
Chris G – Feigning injury to get in the slips and then smashing the ball all around the ground may not work a 2nd time!
Tommy P – You can have most of them back next week!!
Well done everyone!