Captain Cooper’s Kids Come Good

Sun.20^th May 2018
Village County League – Division 1
Effingham 1st XI .v. Ashtead 1st XI

It would be disappointing for it to go unnoticed, but several of our colts played brilliantly in a match that, despite the opposition scoring 272-5, turned out to be a well-earned draw.

Ashtead had two particularly talented batsmen that made it hard to control the run-rate – their opener scored 102 and No.4 a rapid, high quality 49 not out.

However, there were some outstanding bowling contributions from Sam Partridge, Sam Cobb and Owen Haylings, plus some excellent catches taken by Adam Iqbal and Sam Cobb, not forgetting Ed Cooper’s two catches up at the wicket, in his first game with the gloves. One line in the score-book reads Mumford c Cobb S. b Partridge – an unexpected entry in such a senior fixture.

Chasing this target was never going to be easy, especially with such a young team that was missing several regular VCL players. Captain Ed Cooper led by example, finishing with a very competent 74 not out and there was also some consistent, stubborn, very correct defence from Stan Jones, which certainly helped Effingham to achieve a draw, the innings closing on 123-7.

Ray Pritchard