Coaver Gerries Cricket Club

Coaver Gerries v Dartanians, 5 August 2025

20/20 CRS 25

Gerries 187/5, Dartanians 167/all out. Gerries won by 20 runs

On a glorious evening, we hosted our old friends The Dartanians at a scorched Coaver who had brought a number of supporters with them to watch a cracking game.

The Gerries had a new Skipper with Gordon ‘The Landlord’ Hughes taking the reigns and it saw the return of The Chairman to the side after a period out of the side, questions were asked (mainly by him) could he still do it?

The Landlord put us into bat with the light in our favour as we eventually started after a lengthy Dartanians huddle. James and Nick got us off to a flyer and both looking good until Nick called for a run that’s wasn’t there and sadly James was run out.

Lights came out to bat and didn’t hang around with evening, a quick 17 including one massive straight 6. Nick retired on 25 after a fine knock including a 6 over square leg that he took off his eyebrows with Erik and Skins the next partnership. Erik didn’t hang around hitting 27 with boundaries and 2 maximums.

When Erik retired Kyson came out hitting the ball really well and with Skins at the other end the partnership took us past 150. Kyson was eventually not out for 28 – what an innings!

In came JP and after a cautious start hit 15 including a towering 6 off the last ball. Skins on yet another not out with a valuable 17.

The captains had agreed 2 for a wide and no ball to speed the game up and this did Dartanians no favours with 47 extras.

Could the Dartanians chase down the Gerries magnificent 187, who will do the scoring, can the Chairman still bowl?

The Landlord opened up with JP and Kyson each taking early wickets with JP bowling extremely quickly. The opening bat Blanchard was looking dangerous scoring a quick fire 25 until he retired. The Dartanians were ahead of the run rate but losing wickets with 5 down but the impressive Bradford and Stones were in fine form.

Lights came on to bowl and slowed down the scoring with 2 wickets with a catch from Erik and a stunning catch from James. In a controversial move Lights was taken off and replaced by the Chairman, but the Skipper had a plan.

Gordon was bowling well and slowed down the run of boundaries and got his reward after a stumping from Guesty. After a tough start the Chairman was into the game bowling steadily and helping his Skipper slow down the run rate. Dartanians needed just over 10 an over with 3 big hitters left to come in. In the last over of Smudges spell all change… Guesty took a sharp stumping off the first ball, the 3^rd ball led to a fantastic possible Champagne Moment from Dan who took a towering catch on the boundary.

In marched Blanchard from his retirement who replying to his adoring public telling them he was hitting the bowler for 6. He took guard and the Chairman stared him down. One big hit and the Dartanians are right back in the game. Smudge bowled the crowd waited; Blanchard looked to the leg side boundary until the clatter of stumps as he was bowled by the Chairman. 3 wickets in the over and game on. There was a very loud celebration!

4 overs to go and the Skipper brought on Erik and brought back a fired-up Lights. With the other 2 retirees back at the crease it was going to be close but Erik with a wicket and Lights taking the final wicket the Gerries had won by 11 runs.

A really good team effort with catches for Erik (2), James and Dan (ED: we repeat… a catch for Dan!!) plus 2 stumpings from Guesty.

Thanks to Albie Sewell for scoring, top job and great to see Padders, Nick, Frances, Rob, Helen and Jo.

A mention to our Skipper, Gordon for a fantastic job in the field.

Bowling Figures:

JP 4-0-32-1
Kyson 2-0-30-1
Lights 4-0-35-3
Landlord 4-0-27-1
Smudge 4-0-32-3
Erik 2-0-10-1

P.S. Coaver has the bag!