2010 Review
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2nd XI Report
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After the
tempore horrabilis that was 2009, Cowbridge 2nd XI was
hopeful of better times for the 2010 season. This was indeed the case,
with Cowbridge finishing 3rd in the league with a string of
good results and a collection of excellent individual and collective
performances throughout the season.
Such optimism
seemed potentially misplaced however, after Cowbridge’s first game of the
season away at Skewen. On an early season pitch, that resembled more of a
pudding than a cricket wicket, Cowbridge were bundled out for a paltry 24
runs with Skewen going on to secure an emphatic 10 wicket victory. After
this result, the Captain was keen to point out that this was clearly an
aberration on the part of the team and not a sign of things to come, and
emphasised to the team not to let this one game set the tone for the rest
of the season. This was indeed the case as this game was consigned to the
history books, with Cowbridge going from strength to strength from this
point onwards.
Cowbridge’s
first home game of the season resulted in a comprehensive victory against
Landore. With the away side bowled out for 168, Cowbridge proceeded to
reach the total for the loss of only 3 wickets. This was an excellent
result and highlighted the many talented players that Cowbridge had at
their disposal; such as John Gilbert, Harri Collier, Jamie Pursey and
James Thomas who were to all play an integral part in the successful
season.
The following
week, Cowbridge made it “two wins out of two” with victory at home against
the always strong and competitive side Clydach. Again Cowbridge were able
to chase down the opposing side’s total of 174 with runs from Rob Carney
and the Captain, Jonty Webb. This game also included 4 wickets for John
Gilbert, which marked the start of a quite brilliant season for the
opening bowler.
Unfortunately,
this winning streak was to end away to Maesteg Town the subsequent
Saturday. On a blisteringly hot day in Maesteg, a rarity it must be said,
Cowbridge came off second best against a strong and experienced Maesteg
side. Mention should be made though, of the quite excellent individual
performance of Jon Smart, returning after a long term absence due to
injury, who scored 91 not out and offered the only real resistance against
the Maesteg attack.
This result
seemed to be only a “blip” with Cowbridge back to winning ways the
following week against Briton Ferry Town.
Cowbridge were simply too strong for Briton Ferry. With Cowbridge having
scored over 200, Briton Ferry were bowled out for 108. There were again
wickets for John Gilbert (3) and also 4 wickets for the talented all
rounder Harri Collier. Harri was to show considerable maturity and good
temperament throughout the season, as did the other junior members of the
team such as Sam Wood, Chris and Alastair Brace and Alex Kurobasa.
Aberdare were
the next side to face Cowbridge, as the season slipped into June, and the
result was the same; victory for Cowbridge. Aberdare were restricted to
167 after fine bowling from Rhydian Harris and Jamie Pursey but the
plaudits must go to James ‘Jimbo’ Thomas who took 5 for 45. The Aberdare
total was finally reached after good performances with the bat from Harri
Collier and Jamie Pursey and more runs for the Captain (49).
On the day of
the Morriston Fayre, which was to provide an interesting side show to the
day’s cricket, Cowbridge travelled to Morriston hopeful of maintaining
their good form. However, Morriston proved too strong for Cowbridge
racking up an impressive total of 237. In times past, Cowbridge would have
capitulated in the face of such a large total but the Cowbridge batsmen
applied themselves to come away with a well earned draw with Sam Wood
scoring an excellent 68 not out, ably supported by the Captain, in a total
of 185.
Cowbridge’s
next encounter was against Skewen, with Cowbridge acutely aware that their
opponents would remember their first meeting back at the start of the
season. However, the tables were turned in this instance with Cowbridge
victorious in what was to be one of the most satisfying games of the
season. Bearing in mind what had taken place at the start of the season,
plus the fact that Skewen were to only suffer one defeat all season that
being against Cowbridge, this victory was particularly sweet. Skewen were
bowled out for 120 with 4 wickets for John Gilbert and a superb 6 for 64
for Jamie Pursey. Jamie was also to star with the bat with 44 runs as
Cowbridge reached the winning total.
Cowbridge’s
season at this juncture was going splendidly and this good form was to
continue with a further victory away to Landore, with more wickets for
John Gilbert and an excellent 6 for 55 for Rhydian Harris and runs for the
Captain and the evergreen Collin White. Cowbridge were also to beat
Clydach in the return fixture with 5 wickets again for James Thomas and
runs for the Captain (59), Alex Kurobasa (39) and Chris Brace (22) as
Clydach were comprehensively beaten by 7 wickets.
Although,
Cowbridge were to slip up against Maesteg Town and Pontardawe, the side
finished strongly with victories in the return fixture against Aberdare,
where Alex Kurobasa with 51 runs and Harri Collier 5 wickets starred with
the bat and ball, as well as in the last game of the season against
Llanelli. To finish the season with a victory, especially against
Llanelli, was particularly pleasing as Cowbridge had been beaten by them
earlier in the season. This game also marked the culmination of a quite
terrific season for one particular player; John Gilbert. John finished
the game with 6 for 17 to end a season where he took a total of 33 wickets
at an average of 11.97, second highest in the league, therefore well
deserving of the “2nd XI Player of the Year Award”.
The whole of
the 2010 season was one of success and progress. With Cowbridge finishing
third in the table with 10 victories, and a number of battling draws, the
contrast with last season was stark. The collective performance of the
team with bat as well as ball throughout the season was excellent.
Cowbridge have always had a strong bowling attack and have primarily been
let down with inconsistent batting performances but the 2010 season showed
real progress in the Cowbridge batsmen applying themselves by chasing down
targets and setting sizable totals for teams to reach. The performances
with the bat by Chris Brace, Sam Wood, Alex Kurobasa, Alastair Brace and
James Thomas were particularly satisfying. It is only a matter of time
before Chris Brace and Sam Wood become mainstays in the Cowbridge 1st
XI side. There was also consistent runs from the Captain and useful
contributions from Harri Collier, Richard Finucane, Chris Ross and the
“Dorian Gray” of the Cowbridge side; Collin White. The Cowbridge bowling
was led quite brilliantly by John Gilbert but he was ably assisted by
Jamie Pursey, Chris Cox, James Thomas, Rhydian Harris and Harri Collier.
Mention should
also go to the tireless efforts of Jeff Davies who, as ever, scored for
the side throughout the season. All in all the 2010 season for Cowbridge
2nd XI was hugely satisfying and hopefully the blend of youth
and experience in the side will mean that the 2011 season will see
Cowbridge continue their rise up the division table.
Jonty Webb
2nd
XI Captain
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