Match photos here

Winning runs video here

Coach report:

In an absolute nail biter, Coton U13s got over the line against Worlington with the last wicket pair at the crease in rapidly fading light. It was a game in which both sides’ fortunes swung to & fro, & either could have won by a margin.

Coton won the toss & chose to bowl first. Monty Smith delivered a tight opening spell but aside from that the opposition were able to gain the upper hand in the first ten overs. Nonetheless, a couple of wickets fell & Coton were aided by enforced retirements, under the league rules, for several batsmen hitting 30+. The back ten overs of bowling saw, generally, greater control from the Coton bowlers but still, overall, the team conceded a hefty 143 off 20 overs.

The potential saving grace was the short boundaries & Coton’s batting firepower to come.

Sure enough Axel, well backed up by Sam Romans, laid into the bowlers at a ferocious clip. Axel retired on 31 but then Kyle, & especially Maguire & Monty, added to Worlington’s woes with Monty carrying his bat for 34. When those 5 were back in the hutch through either retirement or succumbing to some tighter bowling, Coton appeared to be cruising & needing little over 20 to close the door. But Rupert Ferguson, coming in at 6, then watched the lower order return to the pavillion almost as quickly as they arrived, following some outstanding bowling by the home team.

With last man in, Arthur Leckie, who was strategically played at 11 should some stout defence be needed, the pendulum had swung back to the home team. Mustering 7 runs without losing a wicket in the gloomy light, against a team with their tails up & bowling excellently, looked a tall order. Mostly play & miss off what would prove to be the penultimate over had Coton’s nerve ends jangling. One run came off the final ball &, in the next over, Coton nurdled their way to tying the scores before Rupert crashed an off drive for 4 & the pitch was invaded by 9 other very relieved & happy Coton U13s.

Quite the match & an excellent & sporting display from Worlington who all deserve a hearty pat on the back.

Onwards & upwards Coton!

Jonathan Powell, 13 May 2025