Coaver Gerries Cricket Club

So it begins.. a new season for the Coaver Gerries is underway.

As the long and dark winter months packed its bags, it was great to be back at the home of cricket, on a gloriously sunny day, where the mighty Gerries took on the familiar early season foes of Chulmleigh & Mid Devon CC.

The Gerries worked their magic in the off season transfer window to strengthen their youth section in the form of debutant, Ahmad Hilal. The 17 year old right arm rocket showed exactly why the Gerries put him in the side, and also what actually running on a cricket field looks like!! A wonderful addition to the club and a huge warm welcome to him for this any many games to come.

Skippered by the more than capable, Gerries legend Andrew Padfield, the scene was set. 30 overs was agreed due to the expected rain/light conditions later.

Gerries won the toss!

First one in the bank, and Skipper Padders sent run machine Nick Guest (48n/o) and taking his first opening position for the Gerries Dan Lobb.

Chulmleigh opened with two sharp bowlers on a firm deck and a slow outfield. After his first boundary Dan (6) fell earlier than he would have liked to the opener, bringing in Jim ‘JBO’ Masters (0) who was unlucky to be bowled by the same opener. With the score at 8/2 Kyson Chugg (5) made is way to the middle to work alongside Guesty to take the score to 34 before a change in bowler slowed it down a bit and saw Kyson pop a short delivery to the waiting mid-off fielder. Jon Sewell (1) next, and returned shortly after being caught plumb in front.

The score now an early season 36/4 the Gerries nerves took hold, but they needn’t have. Enter Skipper supreme Padders (35) who took on the Ben Stokes role of steadying the ship with the ever reliable Guesty, between them took the score to 106, before Padders was bowled by the returning opener. The Earl (0) and our very own Chairman Jon Smith (0) were the unfortunate victims of a very well bowled hat-trick, taking his haul to 5/21, a really great spell of bowling!

Enter Ahmad Hilal (19n/o) for his first bat in a Gerries shirt, and he didn’t hang around. Knocking 19 off just 12 balls, he showed no fear or backing down, and gave the crowd plenty to cheer about with a brace of boundaries!

With Guesty not going anywhere soon and providing the backbone of the innings finishing just short of a 50 (jug avoidance some may shout!), him and Ahmad closed the innings on 135/7. From 36/4, it was great to see some early season Gerries fight!

Out in the field

Into the first fielding test of the season skipper Padders send out the young guns Ahmad and Ian Clewlow to open the bowling. Ahmad firing absolute rockets down from the Hall end, and the guile of the our other youthful opener keeping the first overs very tight indeed, both adding a maiden to their early season stats. Ahmad struck first taking the opener for just 4 runs, and Ian following soon after combining with Guesty for the stumping of their number three again for just for 4. Ian returned some remarkable figures, going for just 13 off his 6 overs.

First change bought JP Sewell into the attack removing the 4th batter with a slip catch (I repeat… a slip catch!) from the ever present Kyson bringing the Chulmleigh score to 59/3. Game on. Gordon ‘Landlord’ Hughes took over from the pocket rocket to bring his blend of line and length, and after a short burst from JP, our very own chairman Jon Smith joined the attack. Jon removed the opener for 43. Landlord stuck with the task and took the next two, again with a catch from Guesty, ending his spell with 2/38 – a blinding effort.

Chulmleigh’s next two betters managed to hold out as the afternoon light drew in, some big hitting got them over the line with only two overs to spare, a great effort and contribution from all.

For the first game of the season, the Gerries fielding was outstanding, catches were held, the first to last ball effort and energy was top drawer. Skipper Padders did a wonderful job, and really held the team together with tactical and practical genius. Everyone agreed another that with another 20 runs and we would have had it.

Top effort Gerries!

Special thanks

A special mention must go to the new scorer for the year in the form of Mrs JP – Helen. Having learnt her craft only 24hrs prior, she took the new online scoring system and delivered a faultless performance, aided by the cricket knowledge of JP Jnr.

It was great to see a wealth of support, especially in the presence of lifetime Gerries members Nick and Frances, and some very familiar faces coming to see what the Gerries is all about. Long may it continue!

Player of the day

New for 2026, the chairman made his difficult choice, as it could have gone to many, based on the player never having played before, for coming with such enthusiasm, skill and a bucket load of what makes the Gerries great – the player of the day goes to Ahmad Hilal – the first of many!!