2009 Review
Back to 2009 Review Index
2nd XI Report
Click on picture to enlarge
Despite
gloomy predictions, the 2009 season for Cowbridge 2nd XI produced some
fine performances and highlighted the prodigious talent that the club has
at junior level. The season began with an away fixture at Llanelli, always
a difficult tie and with it being the start of the season even more so.
Early season blues blighted Cowbridge’s performance seeing them bowled out
for 80 with only 13 year old Sam Wood making any notable contribution with
a patient 21. The presence of Sam as well as other Under 13 players was to
be a constant during the season and, belying their age their performances
for the senior side were always of a high standard. The following week
Cowbridge faced Dafen at the Athletic ground. Unfortunately, Cowbridge
were second best but despite this there were fine individual displays from
Andrew Brace, who rolled back the years to score a classy 26 as well as 5
wickets for Jamie Pursey, who was the lynch pin of the Cowbridge attack
throughout the season.
At the
next game Cowbridge were again the losers against a strong Gowerton side
but things took an upturn at home against Pontardawe the following week.
The result; a winning draw with fine batting performances from the
dependable John Brazier scoring 47, Sam Wood with 44 and with 16 year old
Alex Kurobasa, surpassing both, making an excellent 75. On the bowling
front both left arm spinner Harri Collier and all rounder Christopher
Brace, (County and Wales Under 13 players), both bowled superbly, with
Chris taking 1 for 11 off his 10 overs and Harri taking 2 for 24 off his
11. In spite of not forcing a win, Cowbridge could be deservedly proud of
their performance.
Away
to Clydach and Cowbridge again faced strong opposition. The team welcomed
to the side Christopher Cox, local Cowbridge Comprehensive school teacher,
who bowled very well on his debut taking 2 for 36 off his 7 overs. Chris
was to become an integral part of the side for the remainder of the season
opening the bowling with Jamie Pursey. At home to Maesteg Alex Kurobasa,
showing that he is equally adapt with a bat in his hand as a tennis
racket, scored a well crafted 44 with there being also fine bowling
performances from both Jamie Pursey and Chris Cox. However, Cowbridge’s
first win still remained elusive. Facing BS Port Talbot the following
week, Cowbridge were comprehensively beaten despite again fine bowling
from Chris Brace, Tom Francis and Jamie Pursey.
With a
side of youth and experience Cowbridge then faced Llanelli at home.
However, Cowbridge were no match for a strong Llanelli team with only two
stalwarts of the club, Colin White and David Webb, providing any
resistance. With a combined age that rivals Methuselah’s, both battled
valiantly seeing off the Llanelli bowling but disappointingly this was to
no avail as Cowbridge again were the losers. On a serious note, the
presence of senior members such as Andy Brace, Colin White, David Webb and
John Brazier during the season was vital and greatly appreciated with such
a young side. It is important to maintain, as far as is possible, this
blend of youth and experience. Sam Wood, Harri Collier, and Chris Brace
are all fine young players and playing senior cricket will provide them
with invaluable experience but it is important that there are senior
players around them to provide advice and support as they develop as
players.
It was
around this time of the season that the weather gods decreed that there
should be a months hiatus from cricket, as four matches were lost to bad
weather. In such a short season the loss of any match is disappointing but
to have a four week enforced break at this stage of the season was doubly
so. After the rain finally stopped Cowbridge’s next game was to be away
against Ynystawe. Ynystawe scored heavily despite good bowling from Harri
Collier and 4 wickets from James Thomas who was welcomed back into the
side after a period out with injury. Cowbridge were also welcoming back
Richard Finucane whose work commitments had precluded him from playing for
much of the season. Richard and Sam Wood opened the batting and set about
the run chase with Richard scoring a well crafted 30. However, wickets
began to fall which led to the captain Jonty Webb being joined at the
wicket by Chris Brace. Both battled hard against good bowling which
resulted in them rescuing the situation for Cowbridge and securing a draw
with Jonty Webb ending on 65 not out.
Throughout the majority of the season Cowbridge had been second best in
their outings. They either produced a good bowling or batting performance
but were rarely able to perform in both departments during a given game.
Despite this, Cowbridge were confident going into their next match against
Aberdare. This was an excellent game with fine performances from bowlers
and batters alike which resulted in a superb victory for Cowbridge.
Aberdare were restricted by fine bowling again from Harri Collier who
bowled 15 overs for 35 runs with 1 wicket and Arvind Singhal who took 3
for 42. Set a low target for victory, Cowbridge set about the run chase
sensibly with both Alastair Brace and Stuart Morton scoring regularly.
Alastair batted excellently scoring a well made 30 but the star performer
was Stuart Morton. Stuart, returning to make his seasonal debut after over
a 12 months absence from cricket due to a serious Achilles injury, played
brilliantly finally finishing on 83 not out as Cowbridge scraped over the
target. This was an excellent performance and Cowbridge’s first victory
was justly deserved.
With
this first victory, Cowbridge hoped to carry this momentum into the
remaining games. Unfortunately, Cowbridge were again beaten by a strong
Maesteg side which left one final game of the season against Port Talbot
at the Athletic ground. Cowbridge’s batting was disappointing once again
with only Arvind Singhal achieving a classy 34 and Jamie Pursey with lusty
lower order hitting giving Cowbridge a respectable score. Cowbridge’s
bowling and fielding though, was far from disappointing. Despite
Cowbridge’s low total Port Talbot were always under pressure. Every bowler
bowled superbly. Jamie Pursey finished with outstanding figures of 4 for
29 with Harri Collier close behind with 3 for 29. Both Chris Cox and
Arvind Singhal chipped in with Arvind finishing with 2 for 12 off 10 overs.
Despite Cowbridge’s best efforts they were unable to take the final Port
Talbot wicket, but a winning draw was a satisfactory way to finish the
season for the Cowbridge 2nd XI.
On the
whole, the 2009 season for Cowbridge was one of inconsistency and
frustration. The bowling and fielding was in general of a good standard
but it was in the batting department that problems kept surfacing. All of
the batsmen throughout the season were culpable and it was frustrating to
see the good work done in the field being undone by poor batting displays.
On the plus side the performances of the junior members of the side are to
be commended. Sam Wood, Harri Collier and Christopher Brace are all
excellent cricketers who will continue to develop and move up the ranks.
Praise must also go to other players such as Jamie Pursey, Arvind Singhal,
Tom Francis, Charles Hoey and Ben Rowland who all performed admirably
throughout the season. Thanks should also go to Jeff Davies who
tirelessly, as ever, scored for the team and to all the parents that
assisted in transporting players to away games. It is imperative that for
the Cowbridge 2nd XI to continue to develop and be competitive that the
balance between youth and experience is developed and maintained.
Hopefully, next season Cowbridge 2nd XI will continue to provide a good
standard of competitive senior cricket to junior members and still be an
enjoyable team to play in for all participants.
Jonty Webb
2nd XI Captain
Back to 2009 Review Index
