Coaver Gerries Cricket Club

Gerries v Exeter University, 4 May 2025, Coaver Club

35/35, 30CRS

Gerries 218/9, Exeter University 221/6. Exeter University won by 4 wickets

‘The sun always shines on the righteous’ or so the saying goes, and with the weather set fair the righteous took to the field as The Gerries hosted Exeter University at Coaver.

Captain Kev won the toss and elected to bat. Perhaps looking to test the stamina (and possible hangovers) of our young uni opponents, under the hot sun.

Kiwi and Padders started well attempting to see off some good quality opening bowling in a calm and deliberate manor.

Sadly the good start wasn’t to last when Padders was caught on 7 in the 5th over. Hamish battled well before being bowled in the 10th over also for 7.

Kiwi was going strong and was now joined by Guesty who started with 10 off his 1st 6 balls faced.

Dehydration due to heat can cause feelings of dizzyness and lightheadedness according to the NHS website. That can be the only explanation for the LBW decision that sent Kiwi back to the benches on 29!

Guesty was still taking an age to reach the CRS of 30 but when he eventually did make it to 33 Kyson took on the mantle with some big hits against bowling shorter than a Liz Truss’ stint as prime minister. He was however very unlucky to ‘chop on’ (20) against some good quality Exeter bowling.

In the meantime, our fearless captain had been quietly going about his business holding the innings together and would eventually finish on 27*. He was assisted by a quick 7 from JP (our 3rd of the innings) and an excellent cameo from The Lobster with 23.

So a total of 218 was posted, respectable and competitive.

After a rousing team talk from the captain in the team huddle (thats huddle and not team cuddle) The Gerries set to the task of restricting the young guns.

JP bowled an amazing opening spell with great pace. He challenged the outside edge, took wickets (2) and kept things very tight (24 runs off his 6 overs). But it was Kyson who struck 1st with his very 1st ball of then innings in the 2nd over.

In truth however it was clear that Exeter Uni had kept their powder dry with some of their best batsman coming in further down the order. The accelerator was gradually pressed and the game started to get away from us.

Kiwi bowled well taking 2 wickets, attempting to apply some pressure later in the innings but in truth the run rate was always in control.

The Gerries stuck to their task well in the field, as some big hits and several CRS were reached but it was not to be on the day. The total reached with 6 overs to spare.

So a defeat on the day, but a game played in good spirits. It was great to see lots of youthful athleticism, agility and energy on show…. and the Uni lads didn’t do to bad either.

Big thanks to Phil for scoring and sorting match fees! #OneTeam

Bowling:
JP Sewell 6-0-24-2
K Chugg 6-0-47-2
D Lobb 2-0-31-0
S Musannif 4-0-28-0
J Wright 6-0-32-2
S Jones 3-0-37-0
D Baker 1-0-13-0
H Adams 0.1-0-4-0

Nick Guest

[ED: Thanks also to Guesty for the great write up!]