Codicote CC today got their revenge with a convincing win over the Strollers largely thanks to their fielding of a vastly stronger side than that which we beat in our inaugral clash last year. After the long trek out of town to north Herts it was greatly disappointing when, upon our arrival, the heavens opened and the game was thrown into doubt as wet weather set in and threatened to prevent any play whatsoever. However, some positive thinking from our hosts resulted in a delicious early pre-match tea during which time the rain eased off allowing play to thankfully get underway some 90 minutes late, albeit in a reduced 25 overs-per-side format.
Not fancying batting on the sweaty pitch when they rolled back the covers, Codicote put us in and the game began with a war of attrition between the Codicote attack and the Strollers openers Gav and Dickie who did their best to dig in against some accurate and probing bowling. Gav however managed to manufacture scoring opportunities with some nifty back foot shots either side of the wicket whilst, to begin with, Dickie anchored at the other end. The fifty partnership was notched up and the opening bowlers seen off at which point Gav decided to up the ante. Having successfully pulled a trio of powerful boundaries off Lucey, his fourth attempt was not so well placed as he holed out to long on and was sent packing for a useful 36.
Dickie too began to open his shoulders where possible but was lucky to survive at least one catch opportunity that was uncharacteristically shelled by the otherwise sharp Codicote field. Spencer too looked to score but the Codicote second string attack bowled a measerly line and boundaries were scarce. But the running between the wickets was good and, whilst the batting wasn't getting away from the bowling, the scoreboard continued to tick on. But just at the moment he was looking to attack, Spencer fell victim to a very sharp caught and bowled taken low down and was dismissed for 25. James, promoted up the order as a pinch hitter, sadly failed to trouble the scorers when he momentarily forgot he was standing out of his crease and was run out. Matt too was unfortunately sent packing without scoring when he played and missed to a ball from Richards that dislodged his bails with the faintest of snicks.
However Tim, in next, looked to revive the faltering innings immediately timing the ball better than anyone else and hitting several exquisite boundaries. Dickie continued to work the ball around and the cause was helped further by extras from an anomolous 16 ball over from Gillard who clearly had lost his radar. The innings closed on a respectable if seemingly modest total of 152-4 with Dickie carrying his bat with a fine and unbeaten 41.
But, after a quick turnaround, it was Codicote who quickly re-established their authority on he game with opener Richards hammering Simon's first ball back over mid on for four and quickly identifying himself as the opposition's danger man. Whilst Simon and James both bowled a good line anything just slightly short of a length was pounced upon and although Liversidge looked the less comfortable of the Codicote batsmen, Richards managed the strike well and hungrily ensured he was facing whenever possible to take the attack to the Strollers with the score racing along at a worrying 9 per over.
A double change with Rob and Spencer taking over managed to stem the flow of runs somewhat and eventually reaped the reward of the dismissal of Liversidge who was bowled by the skipper for 11. Day, in next, also looked troubled and flukily survived being bowled out too when the bails inexplicably failed to dislodge after Spencer had beaten him all ends up. Rob too bowled beautifully and was unlucky to reap any reward from five overs of accurate full length swing bowling combined with varying flight.
Richards however rode out the examination and once Fowler and Davies had completed their spells resumed his onslaught, easing his side over the hundred mark when Trevor and Jonny were introduced into the attack - neither left armer sadly finding their line and receiving full punishment from the Codicote opener. In the end, Codicote reached their target fo rthe loss of just the single wicket in the 21st over - a convincing win by any standard and whilst there had been few errors in the field, the opposition at no stage looked troubled in their march toward victory.
Still, good to get the game on at all after the misery of the rains earlier in the day and with Codicote again supplying a fine pitch, an excellent tea and warm hospitality, we look forward to this becoming a regular feature on the Strollers fixture list in seasons to come.
