Cook150706

Whitehall came into the Cookridge game looking to win their 3rd game on the trot, the first
time they would have achieved this in 2006.

There were 2 changes from the side that beat Crompark in such dramatic circumstances the
week before. James Mahoney was on holiday and Tony Thompson dropped out, replace by
Dean Wright who was nearly fit again after his knee injury, and crowd favorite Richard
Francis, making his first appearance since the 2nd game of the season in early May.

So Whitehall lined up as follows: D Wright, A Dunne, R Francis, S Mace, B Mistri, R Finch, P
Dockerty, J Bainbridge, M Wood, C Thompson, A Petch.

For the 2nd time in 2 weeks lost the toss (I did win the first toss but it landed in a dock leave
so I did it again) and Cookridge captain Ron MacKenzie elected to bat.

A decision that appeared to be a good one as Mamood and Usher set about the Whitehall
bowling as they got to 18 off 6 overs. However Simon's luck still seemed to be lacking
(although he says he's not killed any black cats or broken any mirrors) as the ball just
wouldn't go to hand. Having said that the fielding was much more lively than previous weeks
and the improvement was markedly noticable. However Joe struck first in the 14th over as he
bowled Usher for 12 with the score on 35. Mamood was now scoring some runs, although he
was finding the gaps inbetween the fielders. Before we knew it Whitehall were 68-1 after 24
overs. A good tight effort from Whitehall but they needed a big wicket and soon.

Finally after what seemed like a lifetime, Simon took the wicket he had deserved for weeks.
Naughton tried to move things along for Cookridge and missed timed a drive, but Simon's
luck appeared to have left him again as the ball seemed to drift on and on and on over
Mistri's head, but somehow he chased it down and took a tidy catch. 68-2.

Whitehall now changed keepers with Wood taking over from Paul to give him the chance to
have a bowl if required later on. Whitehall made their first bowling change around the same
time, with Chris replace Joe, who's bowling figures were 11-3-22-1, an important spell that
had helped build up the pressure.

The bowling change finally brought about the end of Mamood, Chris 14th ball of his spell
saw a ball pitch just out side off stump and straighten up and come back down the hill,
Mamood was beating all ends up as the ball hit off stump an inning of 47 had helped
Cookridge to 76-3. In the next over Simon took another wicket, again Mistri took a tidy catch
to dismiss Whitelaw for 6. In Simon's next over Bindman feathered a delivery to Wood how
took the regulation catch. 4 wickets in 8 overs (Simon had taken 3 in 4) saw Cookridge slip
from 68-1 to 80-5.

In the 37th over Cookridge only managed to have made 87-5 a massive effort from
Whitehall. Simon then decided 3 wicket wasn't going to enough. Dean took a high catch from
Kerfoot and then Bistri made 3 catches for the day 89-7. With 2 overs to go Whitehall took
their final wicket of the afternoon when Richard took a decent catch off Dock's bowling.

The next over passed with out any incident and Cookridge ended on 94-8.

As the teas were enjoyed (and stolen by certain club members), captain Wood started
suffering from heat stroke and emptied his guts. Not nice but shows what a hero he his
putting his body on the line.

Anyway Whitehall started their chase, with Dean and Aidan opening up. Aidan played 2
lovely strokes that flew to the boundary, and took Whitehall up to 10. But then Aidan played
one stroke too many and was bowled by Mamood. Out to the crease strutted Richard
Francis.

Richard, finely aided by Dean at the other end took to the Cookridge bowling and 8 overs
after seeing Aidan dismissed Whitehall were at 42. Then Dean was bowled by Mackenzie, 4
balls later Simon followed, and from 42-1 Whitehall were now 42-3. This brought last weeks
hero Mistri to the crease. In the next over Whitehall struck back, as Richard sent Mamood's
first ball of the over into the woods, then after a quick single Mistri took guard. Mistri took no
time settling as he put Mamood to roughly the same place as Richard had sent him, not
once but twice. Whitehall were now 61-3 a little bit assured. Thing settled down as the
partnership slowly picked him singles, 5 overs later Whitehall lost another 2 wickets in a
MacKenzie over. First Mistri mistimed a drive and was caught in the covers, and then the last
ball of the over saw Richard bowled. 74-5 a bit of a wobble.

But Bob Finch walked out to the crease, with Dock, and Bob decided the best form of
defense was to attack, and 2 overs later Whitehall were home, with Bob scoring 20 of the
last 24 runs, including another big six (again to the same place as the previous ones from
Francis and Mistri).

Whitehall were home by 5 wickets, and made it 3 wins in 3, and kept their 100% home record
in tact.

The field improved 10 fold and the only mistakes were Wood's failing to made a difficult
chance, and the comical sight of seeing Petch run in ten yards to take a catch only to see
the ball sail over his head. But barring that it was a different side to the one that had been
turning out over the past few weeks.

However the batting form carried on, and barring some silly shots it could have been even
better.

This win has kept us in the promotion mix up, and if we keep on winning who knows where
we'll end up.

Next week Shipley away by the river.