Coaver Gerries Cricket Club

Coaver Gerries v Exwick Jokers at Exwick, 25 June 2025

20/20 CRS25

Coaver Gerries 169/3, Exwick 155/5 . Gerries won by 14 runs

As the clouds, and a few showers, rolled along the River Exe, they were greeted by a lighter number of Gerries, who had managed to fight their way through tea time traffic to get to the small but perfectly formed Exwick home ground. A grass track had been prepared, and with a few Gerries still to navigate the traffic, stand-in skipper JP negotiated the Gerries to bat first (apparently that counts as 100% success rate at the toss for the Gerries – just to flag for the stats Kiwi…) and the 2 runs for a wide/no extra ball (until the last over when all bets are off) to make sure the night didn’t draw in too quickly. Exwick looked like they were up for the challenge, with a few familiar faces, the Gerries had themselves a game!

So as the warm-ups got underway Lights and Kyson (who was minus a wisdom tooth and possibly high on medication….) strapped up and headed out to open the innings. Both struggled with the incredibly variable and non-Coaver like bounce offering a few early catching chances, that thankfully weren’t taken. Kyson sadly fell for 1 in the 2nd over after top edging another ball that did/didn’t/should have bounced, and returned to the gazebo. Kiwi followed not long after being beaten by a ball that snuck under his bat, shoes and the top soil to strike the base of middle stump for 5.

Guesty took guard and proceeded to launch into the bowling attack, making the small ground work for him. Chances came and went but he remained in place whilst the departing Kiwi was replaced by Krish. 36/2 in the 6th. Guest and Krish took on the challenge, both playing some lovely stuff around the full wagon wheel. Krish soon retired on 28 bringing Jonah to the crease. The familiar sight of Guest and Jones at the crease (alongside some quite wide bowling) bought the score quickly to 139/2 into the 17 over. Guests retirement on 26 bought a slightly shuffled JP into the crease. Who after hitting 8, shuffled across his crease to be given LBW by the long arm of Kiwi at the other end. Skins took up the mantle and he and Jonah finished the innings not out, strongly scoring 11 and 16 respectively.

A very competitive 169/3 – including 45 extras (33 wides)…. Game very much on.

So with the cloud cover building and the floodlights not yet turned on the Gerries took the field. Skipper threw the ball to seasoned opener Clewlow (4-0-39-10) to get us underway. With JP (4-0-22-0) on at the other end, Exwick didn’t mess about, taking 18 off the first two overs. Deadly then struck in his second re-arranging the stumps of their No:1. JP, keeping them honest, didn’t take a wicket and soon replaced himself with Lights. His nagging line, length and very variable bounce saw the ball scooped high into the air to an awaiting JP. Game very much on.

Skipper then bought on Krish to hit the top of off, and what an effort he made, conceding only 14 runs in three overs, wonderful stuff. Lights was given some time to contemplate bowling the death over, as Kiwi (2-0-25-0) was given the ball. Bowling with guile and experience, Exwick knew they had to attack, but Kiwi never let up, with some big shots came big chances, and he was backed up by some superb Gerries fielding.

Kyson (2-0-17-0) replaced Krish to continue the relentless attack on off stump. Medication properly kicking in, he felt no fear (or pain?) and bowled brilliantly, unlucky not to get a wicket.

Skipper bowled his last two, and then asked Clewlow and Krish to bowl their last one each at the other end. a brilliant last over from Ian, and a wicket for Krish and the frustrated Exwick middle order, following two CRS retirements, had to go for it, smashing a ball to mid off, where a waiting skipper gobbled it up.

Exwick needed 20+ on the last over, and with the wide rule not applicable, as long as Gerries didn’t bowl 10 wides…. Lights didn’t, he took a wicket and bowled brilliantly.

Exwick closed on 155/5, a win for the Gerries, and a 100% win rate for Skipper JP…. just saying Kiwi….

A great game, again great effort with the bat and the ball, and especially in the field. Everyone contributing and taking us over the line. The pint in the pub was pretty good afterwards as well.

Onward to Ide on 2 July, and a new ground to experience!

#Oneteam #100% #smashingit

P.S Deadly has the bag!!!