Played Saturday 16th June 2007
Copford V. Felixstowe
Marshall Hatchick Div 4
Copford win by 10 Runs
Having dispatched Boxted the previous week Copford new that todays
game away at Felixstowe was twice as important as it could pull the
leaders back to them and open up a gap from the rest of the field.
The pitch was green and looked as though it would seam about early on.
Copford lost the toss and Felixstowe had no hesitation in putting Copford
in. The decision looked be a good one as te Copford top order was ripped
apart by Parker 12-2-40-4 and Shahid 11-1-4-30. Copford slipped to 31-7
and then 55-8 and it looked as though the toss had been vital as not
one batsman applied themselves in tough conditions. Having said that
with one batsman treading on his stumps and two more playing on to theirs
the luck seemed to be with Felixstowe.
Copford looked to Parker and Rawson to rebuild and they moved the score
on to 101 before the ninth wicket fell. Both took the attack to the
Felixstowe spinners and with some lusty blows tried to give the bowlers
some form of target. Parker fell for 32 excellent runs and Rawson was
joined by A. Bell. He rotated the strike to give Rawson the chance to
continue the attack as he reached 50 his first for the 1st team and
a continuation of his early season form. They had managed put on 37
for the last wicket to take the score on to 138 before being all out
when Rawson holed out and deep midwicket. It had at least given them
an outside chance and would Felixstowe rue 3 dropped catches as the
last 3 wickets had put on 107 runs.
As the Copford innings concluded Felixstowe seemingly pleased wit there
efforts and in the changing room were slow to get out and put the covers
on as the heavens opened during tea.
With a now wet outfield and some dampness in the track Copford fired
themselves up and turned to the experience of A.Bell and the pace of
Gough to try to trouble the Felixstowe batsman early on. They knew the
had to bowl the opposition out having conceded 9 overs to Felixstowe
giving them 54 to reach the target.
Bell struck in his first over and when Gough deflected a powerful drive
onto the stumps to run out a second Copford new the were in with a shout
at 14-2 which then became 27-3 when Bell picked up his second just before
more rain came with a great caught and bowled. When play resumed Jones
and Connell built slowly looking to take the heat out of Copford. Bell
struck for a third time when he trapped Jones LBW for 26 and you could
see the worry on the Felixstowe faces. Again Felixstowe dug in and moved
on to 67 without further loss. Copford skipper Measor then made the
change that turned the game bringing on Dixey to partner Bell. He picked
up 3 wickets in his first two overs as Felixstowe slumped to 68-7. They
again fought back and moved on to 89 before Bell picked up his 4th scalp.
Rafaiy and Shahid then looked to save the game as they hit anything
loose and took the odd chance as they moved on to 127 with plenty of
overs in the bag. Copford remained focussed and when Bell picked up
Shahid for 21 he completed the amazing figures of 22-8-33-5 in what
had been a shattering spell both for Felixstowe and Bell himself.
They only needed the one wicket to complete an amazing victory but with
only 10 runs needed this game was still in the balance. Fittingly it
was Dixey and Rawson the batting hero who won the game.
Dixey bowling found a leading edge and the ball skied towards point
Rawson was under it and the crowd and players held there breath before
Rawson plucked it out of the sky sparking wild celebrations from the
Copford team on the pitch.
WOW, what a game and credit was due to Felixstowe for both their contribution
and their applause as Copford left the pitch taking what must have been
a massive blow with great dignity.
Copford had picked up an unlikely 20 points and this season is bound
to have more twists yet as the race for promotion hots up. It’s
a home game next for Copford with St Margrets the visitors in what should
be another great game
Played Saturday 9th June 2007
Copford V. Boxted
Marshall Hatchick Div 4
Copford win by 7 wickets
Copford were looking to turn around some indifferent recent form and
were put into the field by Boxted who chose to bat. Boxted got off to
a good start reaching 37 without loss in the opening 10 overs, with
Moriarty 8-0-40-0 particularly taking the brunt of Wilson‘s (22)
aggressive driving. Copford skipper Measor made a double change bringing
on Moon and Mallison to try to stem the flow of runs.
Mallison settled into a great line and length picking up the Boxted
skipper Khaira caught behind for just 2. It was however, the erratic
Moon who picked up both openers and the number three finishing with
excellent looking figures of 6-2-6-3. Was it god bowling or just the
good balls surprising the batsman!!!!
Having reduced Boxted to 46-4 Copford tried to seize control and put
the pressure on Boxted. Measor made several changes to his attack to
keep the batsman on there toes as Copford tied Boxted down for the next
15 overs. Sargeant bowled 7-4-28-1 perhaps one to many with his last
going for 13 runs as Boxted tried to break free from a lowly 86-5 with
only 10 overs left in there innings.
Measor 12-1-51-1 and then Mallison came back into the attack and it
had an immediate effect as having rebuilt to 144-5 with Booker in particular
striking the ball cleanly. Mallison again hit his lengths as Boxted
lost there last 5 wickets for 6 runs. Mallison finishing with great
figures of 7.3-0-15-4 including the dangerous looking Booker for 45
as no other batsman was able to give him the support he needed. Vipond
returning to the first team proved his worth with a direct hit running
out Bellamy keeping the pressure on Boxted.
Copford were in a confident mood knowing 151 for victory was well within
their grasp. Moon and A. Bell opened as usual but Moon who has struggled
so far this season again fell cheaply hitting McKnight to mid-on for
just 3. Sargeant again joined Bell early at the crease as they set about
pacing their way to the target and despite I. Evans bowling with his
usual control Copford were easing there way along picking off the bad
balls. They had reached 63 when Bell miss hit an Evan’s delivery
to mid-on falling in a similar way to Moon for 28. This was Evans only
wicket but with figures of 13-3-28-1 he had tied one end down.
Sargeant was again trying to play the attacking role scoring away from
Evans and Kligerman was happy to give him the strike as he reached his
50 as Copford moved past 85 without further loss. The partnership worth
47 and had taken Copford past 100 when Kligerman was adjudged LBW to
Patel for just 2. Boxted where now happy to give Sargeant the singles
and attack at the other end with Patel in particular bowling tight lines.
He finished with figures of 13-3-25-1 as Copford moved slowly towards
victory.
Parker who had joined Sargeant at the crease took his time to play himself
in before striking several clean boundries as he finished on 26no. Sargeant
had been happy to play an anchor role to Parker as they reached there
target without further loss in the 43rd over. Sargeant who had batted
for 40 overs finished on a tired looking 82no, but he had done his job
well guiding the team to another victory, this time by 7 wickets.
Measor was pleased his side had got there season back on track with
20 more points. He commented “That although the lads fielding had
been greatly improved from the last couple of weeks it still had room
for improvement as we put down 4 or 5 catches today. I also think we
need to make better use of the new ball especially as we only get the
one in this league. Overall though I’m happy with the lads and
we can enjoy a better Saturday night.”
Keith Sargeant
Played Saturday 2nd June 2007
Copford V. Coggeshall
Marshall Hatchick Div 4
Braintree win by 50 runs
Copford suffered there second defeat of the season away at table topping
Braintree. Winning the toss Braintree opted to bat first and despite
some good bowling from Measor and some good luck they got of to solid
start putting on 47 for the first wicket. Braintree were scoring quickly
and Copford needed a breakthrough and Measor bowling his best spell
of the season managed to remove both openers. Copford regrouped at slowed
the scoring rate as Braintree rebuilt keeping wickets in hand. Moriarty
returned to pick up three wickets to bring Copford back into the game
but the Braintree assault was yet to come.
Having appeared to have got put in the hard work on a lightning outfield
Copford had Braintree at 177-6 after 40 overs. However with clean striking
and perhaps some undisciplined bowling Braintree scored a further 65-70
runs in the last 5 overs to finish on an imposing 247-6 even though
not one batsman passed 50.
Copfords reply got off to the worst possible start when having scored
8 in the first over Moon ran himself out. They lost further cheep wickets
as Hale bowled a nagging line and length picking up 5-67. Sargeant continuing
his form with 38 and with the returning Kligerman scoring 31 tried to
rebuild the innings and they were up with the rate until Sargeant ran
himself out having hesitated on a single. Rawson joined Kligerman and
tried to turn the tide towards Copford with clean hitting taking him
to a quick 36. However both fell quickly and it was left to Measor and
A.Bell to try to save something from the game Measor returned to forn
hitting the top score of the day with 45 however there brave resistance
finished when Measor was last out, with Copford on 197.
Braintree strengthened their grip at the top, But with Copford up against
Boxted next week they have to turn recent form around and Skipper Measor
is under no illusion that it is a must win game. He states that everyone
has to look at their game and raise there levels if the club is to move
in the right direction. He also hopes that the younger players in the
side lean from the experience of the last two weeks and come back stronger
in the coming weeks.
Keith Sargeant
Played Saturday 19th May 2007
Copford (away). V. Coggeshall
Marshall Hatchick Div 4
Copford win by 8 Wickets
Copford arrived at Coggeshall hoping to continue the form shown in
there opening two matches.
Copford lost the toss and were put in the field, a choice skipper Measor
would have made in any case.
Coggeshall lost an early wicket as the young Chris Smith bowled an accurate
spell ending with good figures of 5-0-10-1. Measor’s early season
frustration with the ball continued as he again finished wicketless
from his 6 overs. However with the introduction of A. Bell and Rawson
Copford applied the pressure.
They set up a strong offside filed and bowled fantastic lines as Coggeshall
struggled to pierce the field. Coggeshall moved slowly to 49 losing
a further 2 wickets, including a great spiralling catch from Measor
of the bowling of A. Bell. With Rawson finishing with the impressive
figures of 9-2-28-2 Copford begn to take control. He bowled with good
pace and accuracy as he settles in to the first team this season.
However it was A. Bell the father figure of the side who rolled back
the years with an amazing spell which saw Coggeshall collapse to 64
all out as he finished with figures of 8-4-10-6. The final wicket falling
to Sargeant as Measor kept everyone involved.
Chasing a small target both openers Moon and J. Bell scored quickly
both ending on 22. Moon and Merry being the only Copford casualties
lost as they raced to the target in only 11 overs, securing an 8 wicket
win.
Taking 20 points and conceding only 1 to a team thought to be one of
the stronger in the league Copford maintained their perfect start to
the season and keep the pressure on at the top of the table. With Moriarty
due to return the bowling looks strong, but with J.Bell and Sargeant
missing next week it will be up to the rest of the batsman to fill the
gaps, and the middle order may well get a chance to shine.
6th May 2007
Copford vs West Bergholt – PDQ Division
1
Copford won by 6 wickets
Copford continued their run of wins in division 1 as they beat West
Bergholt for the second time this season. West Bergholt won the toss,
decided to bat and started well as the Copford bowlers struggled to
find any sort of consistency. Mike Kettle looked good timing the ball
well and putting away the loose deliveries. The hosts struggled in the
field as they attempted to recover the previous day’s victory celebrations.
Ben Rawson replaced the wayward Moriarty and the change paid off instantly
as he removed Kettle with one that nipped back and took middle stump.
Measor bowled a couple of good, quick overs but got too carried away
with the bounce and was dispatched for four consecutive 4s by the dangerous
Nick Miller. Jon Gough found conditions to his liking and took the vital
wicket of Miller with one that bounced and left him, catching the shoulder
of the bat, to loop up to gully. Bailey arrived at the crease and started
slowly as he looked to consolidate before unleashing some powerful stokes
off his legs and down the ground. He took a particular liking to the
leg spin of Thripp as he slog swept him for a big six over square leg.
Although the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter,
they were able to push the score on as Copford were frustrated by some
very lethargic ground fielding and poor communication, conceding 54
extras, and were eventually all out in the last over for 251. The pick
of the Copford bowlers was Rawson who continued his fine start to the
season with figures of 10-1-27-2.
The Copford reply got off to a quick start as Gough and James Bell
found the gaps with ease and although Gough went for 18 the high run
rate continued as first Parker and then Allan hit the bad balls for
4 and a couple of massive 6s. Both however fell to silly shots but Bell
continued his excellent form as he eased to 50 and then upped the run
rate further as he moved towards his first hundred in the PDQ 1st XI.
The bowlers were unable to exert any pressure on the batting side and
the most dangerous of them, McLewin had to be taken off after he bowled
two beamers. Although Thripp fell to the very impressive youngster Northover,
Copford cruised to their target in 30 overs for a 6 wicket win, with
Bell finishing on 114 not out.
Copford meet the unbeaten Abberton next week in what promises to be
a very good game that could well have a bearing on who goes on to push
for promotion even this early in the season.
Played Saturday 5th May 2007
Copford V. Worlington
Marshall Hatchick Div 4
Copford win by 5 Wickets
On a cloudy day Copford skipper Measor won the toss and decided to bowl
on what looked a good hard wicket. He 13-2-54-1 and Moriarty 8-1-25-3
bowled good hostile spells extracting good bounce as they reduced Worlington
to 39-3. Worlington then tried to rebuild with Gallop 58 and Hayward
22 putting on over 40 for the fifth wicket. Copford brought on the accurate
A. Bell who finished with 13-2-49-3 and Mallison 9-0-39-3 and despite
dropping 4 catches bowled out the visitors for 175 for what the visitors
believed to be a challenging total.
Copford who top order batting has been solid this year moved quickly
through the gears with J. Bell in particular taking a liking to the
Worlington bowlers hitting 50 of the first 65 runs. Moon was providing
good support as Copford reached 80 before Moon fell for a patient 25.
Sargeant continued the aggressive batting hitting a rapid 19 before
he fell LBW. Merry in his first of the season hit 14 before he and Bell
out for an excellent 67 fell in quick succession leaving Copford on
152-5 and in danger off throwing it away. They still had over 20 overs
to bat and run rate was never an issue but further wickets may have
exposed the tail who have yet to bat this year.
It was left to Parker who was equally aggressive as his innings of 35no
led Copford home without further loss as they finished on 178-5 winning
by 5 wickets with 15 overs remaining.
Another 20 points in the bag and another good all round performance
with all the bowlers and batsman contributing as Copford continue their
100% start to the season.
With a tough game against Clacton next week it will be important that
practice midweek and the opposition are taken seriously and complacency
doesn’t set in. However with the competitive streak in the side
and Measor at the helm it is unlikely he will let that happen.
29th April 2007
St Osyth vs Copford – PDQ Division 1
St Osyth lost to Copford by 140 runs
Copford looked to continue their excellent start to the season as they
travelled to St Osyth, last years runners up. Copford won the toss and
decided to bat on a hard looking pitch and made steady progress to 94
before they lost their first wicket; Dowman finding a bit of turn to
remove Mono. James Bell brought up his half century with a well timed
six of his legs but his overconfidence got the better of him as he was
stumped going for another maximum off the bowling of Dowman. The visitors
lost another wicket shortly after as Gough departed and they had to
consolidate with two new batsmen at the crease. Callum Reid and Andy
Thripp kept the scoreboard ticking over putting on 54 for the fourth
wicket and were looking to open up as Reid was caught on the boundary.
Ben Rawson joined Thripp and the pair upped the run rate with some
brilliant hitting as they added 96 in 9 overs. Thripp eventually went
for an excellent 75, stumped off the bowling of Robb who picked up his
third wicket when Neil was LBW for 0. Rawson’s superb innings came
to an end as he fell 1 short of his 50, Sam Hennessy taking a good catch
on the boundary. Some impish running between the wickets at the end
from Measor and Moriarty saw Copford close the innings on 283 for 7.
St Osyth were up against it but with some experienced batsmen in their
line up they always had a chance. They made a slow start as Jon Gough
and Chris Smith Jnr kept it tight. The pressure finally told as Gough
induced a false shot from Hindley, well caught by Bell, and he finished
up with fine figures of 7-4-10-1. Measor replaced Smith Jnr and removed
the danger men, Shuttleworth and Vitanage. When the home skipper Robb
was brilliantly run out by Andy Neil for 6 the result was never in doubt.
Ian Catley tore through the middle order and despite some sensible batting
from the lower order, the hosts were eventually bowled out for 143;
a loss of 140 runs.
Copford look in fantastic form with their third successive 100+ run
win. They will hope for more of the same as they entertain West Bergholt
next week.
28th April 2007
Finton vs Copford – Marshall Hatchick Two counties Div 4
Copford won by 7 wickets
Having won both games convincingly last weekend Copford travelled to
a very strong looking Finton with high hopes of another good performance.
Things started well as they won the toss and elected to bowl. However
skipper Measor struggled into a strong head wind and came off after
only two reasonable overs. With Chris Smith Jrn also struggling to find
a consistent length and Frinton getting off to a solid start Measor
turned to his experienced paring of Steve Moriarty and Andy 'Pigeon'
Bell. Both bowled super spells with Moriarty breaking the partnership
with one of his excellent slower balls which continued to cause trouble
throughout the day, removing Pritchard for 17.
With Frinton now 35 for 1 Copford hoped to put the home side under pressure.
Bell bowled an excellent line conceeding only 13 runs off his first
8 overs while picking up 3 importent wickets as the home side collapsed
to 77 for 5. This included the capture of Frinton's highly rated Australian
Anderson for a duck. Bell finished with tidy figures of 10-1-35-3 and
Moriarty equally good figures of 11-3-48-2 including a second victim
of his slower ball capturing Hall for what ended as Frintons top score
of 38 on what appeared to be a good track.
With the bowlers performing well it was left to the fielders to back
them up. With the very tidy Parker standing up to both Moriarty and
Bell the batsman were forced to play from the crease. Rawson and Allen
were excellent square of the wicket and their pressure ended in a suicidle
run out of Hambrook for a duck.
Copford's skipper Measor then decided to change things as Frinton tried
to mount a rear gaurd action having moved to 111-7 he took off both
Bell and Moriarty bringing on Moon and Sargeant. This change worked
instantly with Moon grabbing a wicket with his first ball removing the
stubborn Foakes LBW for 17. Sargeant then cleaned up the tail with his
occasional left arm spin taking 3-12 as Frinton finished on 133 all
out with Copford having 54 overs to score the runs.
With hopes high of an excellent victory Copford set about the total
in a workman like fashion scoring slowly with Fox bowling left arm over
started causing both Moon and Bell trouble before he removed Moon for
6, nipping one away to clip his off stump leaving Copford on 23-1. This
brought Sargeant to the crease, hopes were pinned on him getting runs
as the in form batsman for Copford having hit two fifties the previous
weekend. He survived a close LBW shout first ball and struggled against
Fox as he completed a good spell of 6-1-19-1.
However the end of his spell coincided with a change of pace in Copford's
reply and the turning point of the game. Frinton skipper Patel brought
himself on and Sargeant subsequently took charge hiting him for 19 in
his first over including a huge straight six. Sargeant took on the Frinton
attack as Copford moved to fifty in quick time. He dominated the Frinton
attack hitting shots all round the ground bringing up his fifty with
a fine pull shot off Anderson which almost carried for another six.
He had scored his fifty in the time it had taken Bell to add a further
3 runs to his total as he provided great back up giving Sargeant the
strike as he took on all comers. Frinton tried to stiffle the runs bringing
on wicket taking spinner Lawes although this had little effect as Sargeant
contiued to power Copford towards victory. With the total on 99 off
less than 25 overs Copford lost Bell for a patient 26 having spent valuble
time at the crease. Gray followed shortly after for 4, as Patel having
come back into the attack picked up two quick wickets. Sargeant however
was unfazed and continued in the same fashion pulling and driving with
authority. Fittingly it was Sargeant who hit the winning runs with a
clip through midwicket as he finished 92no ensuring Copford could enjoy
another early season victory as they finished on 134-3 of just 28 overs
winning by 7 wickets before 6pm.
The season may have only just started but with both the batsman and
bowlers perfoming this well, Copford skipper Measor must have his sights
on guiding the team towards a promotion challenge.
Copford I vs Boxted I – PDQ Division 1
Copford 240 – 8
Boxted 55 all out
Copford win by 185 runs
Unusually for the start of the cricket season, the weather was fine
as Copford’s 1stXI entertained Boxted in division 1 of the PDQ
league. Boxted won the toss and decided to field on a pitch which had
plenty of grass on but still looked very firm. The visitors started
well and were looking good with Copford 25-1 off 10 overs, struggling
to find the gaps or the boundary. However, Keith Sargeant joined Chris
Moon and the run rate shot up as the bad balls were put away and the
running between the wickets improved. Both reached half centuries but
were unable to go on, falling shortly after reaching the mark. It was
set up well with Copford’s big hitters coming in at 4, 5 and 6
with plenty of overs left. Man of the match Ben Rawson looked in awesome
form as he smashed 58* and some lusty blows and good running between
the wickets from the lower order saw Copford reach 240-8 off their allotted
overs.
Boxted were always up against it with a strong Copford bowling attack.
Russell Measor bowled with good pace taking a couple of early wickets
and Andy Bell rolled back the years with some beautiful away swing to
bag a couple, including very smart catch from skipper Steve Moriarty
at slip, as the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals. Chris Smith
Jnr produced a fiery spell of 3-15 and it was left to Chris Moon to
finish off a very professional performance from the hosts as Boxted
limped to 55 all out and a 185 run loss.
Steve Moriarty – Copford PDQ 1stXI captain
West Bergholt vs Copford - PDQ Division 1
Copford 258 for 8
West Bergholt 106 all out
Copford win by 152 runs
Copford looked to continue their strong start to the campaign in division
1, and comfortably defeated an inexperienced West Bergholt side. Batting
first, the visitors got off to a shaky start, losing James Bell in the
second over, but Chris Mooney and Keith Sargeant steadied the ship,
keeping the scoreboard moving until Sargeant fell for 52. John Gough
provided some lusty blows, and when Mooney fell just shy of his half
century, Andy Thripp was able to show his calibre, striking a powerful
53. Ben Rawson and Russell Measor provided some excitement late in the
innings with some powerful strokes, allowing Copford to amass an imposing
258 for 8.
West Bergholt never really looked comfortable chasing down this target,
and early wickets for Russell Measor, including that of the dangerous
Nick Miller, put Copford firmly in the driving seat. After this it was
slow, turgid stuff as the hosts seemed unable to score off the miserly
bowling of skipper Steve Moriarty, and were unable to cope with the
pace provided by Gough. Ian Catley and Thripp continued to tie down
the opposition, and as wickets fell at regular intervals, Bergholt seemed
unable to match the rising run-rate. It was Ben Rawson who then excelled
with the ball, finding an excellent line and claiming 4-20 off his spell,
as Catley, Sargeant and Thripp finished the job, with Bergholt just
scraping into three figures. Copford travel to St. Osyth next week looking
to capitalise on this excellent form.
Tom Burridge