Cirencester Cricket Club > News > September 2003 > 1st XI season ends on a high

1st XI season ends on a high [Tuesday 2 September 2003]

Cirencester (206/8) beat Haresfield (202/6) by 2 wickets
[Scorecard]

In their last and crucial league match of this season, Cirencester used their great depth of batting experience to defeat Haresfield by two wickets in fading light and threatening clouds. A welcome 19 points have ensured Town a mid league final position - well positioned for an attack on promotion next year.

Graham put Haresfield into bat on their small ground. A sharp catch by Andy Cooper at gully found Haresfield 5 for 1 off 5 overs, but thereafter things went the hosts' way. Smith (48), Bray (67) and Carpell (44 not out) contributed almost all the runs, and punished loose balls well, but Town bowling was again inconsistent (11 wides).

The highlights were John Turton finishing his 12 overs despite a torn muscle, and Andy Reynolds taking 1 for 15 off the last few overs. Otherwise, John Turner, as befits a Dean of Business Studies at the RAC, was suitably economical. A total of 202 was more than Haresfield expected, but less than Cirencester had scored in any of her last 4 games.

It was then unfortunate that all of the first 4 of the formidable Town batting line up should have imploded for under 20 each against innocuous if steady bowling from Mecham. Walker, Reynolds, Rodrigoes and Graham all looked set for big scores but fell to concentration lapses. 78 for 5 was not the ideal start.

However, Cooper was due a good innings and he chose to make it on the right occasion - with his wife, son and parents watching. Partnered first by John Turton and his runner, Dan Robbins, and thereafter by John Turner, Cooper focused on blocking good balls and hitting bad ones. 3 well judged sixes and 8 fours shows that Cooper took full advantage of the short boundaries, especially on the leg side, and scored the winning four with 2 overs to spare.

Turton and Turner, revisiting the glories of their youth, had meanwhile taught the rest of the team what calm under fire means, and made an important contribution to seeing Cooper through to the winning runs - a boundary hit hard through deep mid off. This were greeted by a great cheer by the rest of the Cirencester team, who now knew that they are safe from talk of relegation. Back at CCC the beer flowed well into the night as this good news sunk in.