Coaver Gerries v The Presidents X1
Coaver on 15 September 2024
This fixture is now an internal affair and one might describe it as “The Old” against “The Young”. Whatever terminology might be used this was a good competitive game played in a good spirit in pleasant weather though one has to observe with unparalleled amounts of sledging and banter and a vast number of quite outrageously hopeless LBW appeals.
In addition to the players we were delighted with the presence of number one supporters Nick and Frances, fielding supremo Richard King, Geriatric Legend Roger Brooks and a real throwback to the past with a gaggle of Geriatric WAGS namely Joan, Viv, Michelle and Susan. Thomas Markham also graced us with his presence as did that most loyal of supporters “Mrs JP”.
If this was not enough, we welcomed back to Coaver for the first time this season The Great Poat and if all this was not enough the incomparable Millie was there who also umpired in the second innings.
And so to the cricket. This was a 35 over game but without any other restrictions.
James Evans, captaining The Gerries, won the toss and elected to bat. James opened with Jim Masters and to begin with scoring was slow against the ever green Gilo and a rejuvenated AB who looked like his old self with good pace and a great deal of accompanying “verbals”,
Gilo bowled Jim for 7 but James was in very good form and with Skins took the score to 63 in the 18th over when AB bowled Skins for 17.
Clearly the Gerries needed to up the scoring rate as they had only reached 79 in the 20th over. James continued to bat with great power and good sense and was well aided by Daniel Lobb. As the hundred approached the Gerries suffered three setbacks with James adjudged to be LBW to Mark Dyer for 49 and soon after both Daniel who made a very useful 28 and Kyson (3) fell in similar fashion.
James innings included two sixes and five fours. He richly deserved his fifty but it wasn’t to be.
The impetus to deliver a big total now rested on JP and The Earl and they did not disappoint. JP led the way with an unbeaten 38 which included some sumptuous shots. The Earl was in no way overshadowed scoring 27 no and again his innings included some superbly aggressive stroke play.
For the Presidents it was good to see the old AB who returned 10-0-39-1 and the ageless Gilo with 8-1-39-1. Ian Turner was probably the victim of a couple of dubious umpiring decisions and finished with 8-1-40-0. Beano was the leading wicket taker with 5-0-23-3 (all LBW) and Kiwi returned 4-0-25-1.
There were 15 extras of which only 7 were byes, a testimony to Poaty’s continuing ability to deliver. He also stumped Dom Baker off the bowling of Kiwi.
So the Gerries finished on 182 for 6, a very decent, competitive and challenging total.
It has to be said that Jonah as Captain of The Presidents Men led the side very well in the field.
Jonah decided on an unusual opening partnership of Poaty and Hamish. No doubt the idea was to draw the fire of JP and protect the rest of the batting. If this was the case then it didn’t quite work as Hamish went for 1 and John 4 so the Presidents were 14 for 2 after 7. Jonah joined Kiwi in the middle and this vastly experienced duo repaired the early damage and saw the score move sweetly along. By now Daniel, The Landlord and Kyson had taken on the responsibility for the bowling and exerted some pressure so that after 20 overs. the President’s men were marginally ahead on 80 for 3 , Kiwi having been dismissed by Kyson Chugg for 21 thanks to a good catch by JP. James Evans joined the attack and with the score on 105 had the crucial wicket of Jonah who was well caught by Jim Masters, behind the stumps, for a vital 48.
Subject to time, it looked as if the Presidents side would have more than sufficient batting to get home what with Padders, Beano, AB, Quality, Gilo and Phil. Gilo at 9!!. Extraordinary. So it turned out to be with Padders making 19 (another catch for Jim) and Beano and Anthony finishing not out on 25 and 33 respectively.
Jonah was another batter unlucky not to reach his half century with 7 fours in his highly responsible innings.
It was very close at the end and after the 30th over Presidents were on 144 so still well short. James rang the changes but it wasn’t to be thanks to the experience of Beano and the power play of AB whose innings included four fours and a six.
JP 2 for 24 off 6 was probably a little under used , Landlord 22 off 5, Daniel 1 for 41 off 8, Kyson 1 for 32 off 5, James 1 for 38 off 6, Dom 0 for 19 and trainee Gerries colt Albie Sewell 0 for 9, having very bravely bowled the 31st over.
The President’s men finished on 184 for 5 to win by 4 wickets (10 a side game).
Very close.
President’s Man of The Match: AB for a fine spell of bowling and a decisive innings played at a time when victory was assuredly not certain.
Stephen Lawson
Coaver Gerries Cricket Club 
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