September 6, 2020 @ Shawnigan Lake
The Cougars finished off a long weekend of cricket against the newly formed Campbell River first eleven. After the highs and lows of the previous day’s affair (see below), the match had quiet expectations of a fun day out.
The CRCC had other ideas, as their determination to win was immediately apparent at their team talk and warmup. Another toss lost, and the Cougars dragged themselves into the field for another hot day in the sun.
If Metchosin thought their home ground was a difficult place to field, they quickly found out how wrong they were as Cowichan is not only smaller, but much faster.
The CRCC had some steady openers, find the gaps and launching some shots into the air. If the ball found space, it was gone.
Kieren and Noel found their line and length and had both openers back in the sheds to allow for some welcomed relief. The relief would be very short lived as Param and George found boundaries at will, and the 400 runs looked attainable.
A new format was trialed, with the use of two new balls in each innings, a new ball was brought in at the 20 over mark, and handed to Izak & T. Both found quick wickets and immediately slowed the rate. A few more chances went begging and the scores ending at 313-7.
It was now time for the Cougars to crack open a couple of cold ones and watch the master blasters Izak & Chewy go to work.
The change in openers seemed to do the trick as Izak began to tee off on the bowlers. That was until Chewy attempted to follow suit, but a momentary lapse of judgement in thinking that anyone in Canada can bowl quick, had him caught in covers playing hours too early.
Several wickets were to fall and thankfully Darren Buhr stayed in to keep one end secured. As the CRCC appeals increased, the smiles reduced on the faces of the beaten batsmen. Some late order shenanigans had the scores reach 150, but it was not to be as the tired Cougars trudged off for the final beers of the season.
Although a tough loss on the back of a previous day’s defeat, the game was a nice reminder that cricket is more about making new friends than winning. And there were some great folks on the up-island squad, who have welcomed us to a rematch on the 27th at their newly built ground at the Carihi School in Campbell River.
Scorecard can be found here
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