Craggs Cup 2025

The Cougars and the Cows contested this much-anticipated fixture on Saturday and put on a show (literally, including a live stream complete with commentary) that was entertaining right until the very end.

With selection headaches and associated drama behind them the Cougars arrived at Shawnigan confident that they could win the day and retain the Craggs Cup for an unprecedented 7th year running. The Cows roster was bolstered by some big name inclusions with Roscoe chartering a private jet in from Arizona and Benno shelving touch footy for once. Mick was also set to step up after an extended absence with a knee injury, ensuring this would be a tough challenge for the Cougars squad. Kieran was on time for a change and promptly won the toss, electing to field on a damp but still assuredly quick outfield. The decision was immediately validated, Tanzil quickly skittling Oliver with his trademark leg-cutter.

Tanzil striking early

Sunny and Akash steadied the ship before Rob White’s dibbly-dobblers proved too enticing, Sunny caught by Yuri on the boundary attempting a slog sweep. Akash and Gurpreet put together a solid 50 run partnership before Akash popped a leading edge to Yuri at cover and Gurpreet was dismissed in a fashion that would foreshadow almost all dismissals for the remainder of the day; caught in the deep. King came and quickly abdicated, victim of a good catch by Kieran, the second of Cole’s wickets in an outstanding performance with the ball. With the Cows struggling at 5/94 and Benno and Roscoe at the crease they had a chance to steady the ship and keep the runs ticking over. Sadly for the home team the Manny-two-step claimed its second victim, trapping Benno in front to trademark raucous appeals from the bowler. Vaibhav and Roscoe departed within a couple of overs in now all-too-familiar fashion, caught on the boundary. Now reeling at 7/110 the Cows needed to build a partnership. Mick strode to the middle with a barely perceptible limp, but all questions about his health soon faded as he constructed a typically meticulous, disciplined innings, punishing the bad balls and conscientiously defending the good ones. Mark provided a very capable partner with some clean, controlled hitting and soon enough the pair had built a partnership of more than 80 runs. Unfortunately Mark looked to the boundary once too often, caught in the deep just a couple of runs short of a well deserved fifty. Kieran had left his abacus at home and as such ended up bowling the 45th over himself. Mick remained unbeaten at stumps on 56, leaving Metchosin a target of 227 for victory. Pick of the bowlers was Cole with 3/29 off his 9 overs.

Sausage for days!

The usual opening pair of Kieran and Ross quickly set about creating a platform for the middle order. Unfortunately Ross was on the business end of a sharp bouncer from Roscoe in the first over, feathering one through to the keeper attempting to cut. Lorien and Kieran looked to be steadying things before a flashy attempted cover drive from Lorien found the edge, Sunny taking a sharp chance low to the left behind the stumps.

The first ball of Roscoe’s next over was disdainfully flicked to the backward square boundary for 4, Dukey making his intentions clear from the outset. Unfortunately the second ball was a bonafide sandshoe crusher, hitting Chris flush on the front foot. Despite his best efforts, Ringo had to exit stage left in obvious distress (spoiler: there would be a brief encore). The very next over Kieran got one that held up slightly off the deck, resulting in a leading edge spooned right back to the bowler. Doug and Rob White then managed 20-odd before Doug slapped a well-timed pull shot a little too close to Mick at backward square who took a sharp chance. This brought Cole to the crease who transitioned seamlessly from doing the job with the ball to taking control with the bat. He played a very disciplined innings, doubly impressive given Kingy was throwing down what could generously be described as donkey drops, screaming to be hit over the fence. Partnered by a very capable Rob White, Cole played some classy drives while bringing their partnership to 61 before fatigue appeared to get the better of Rob, run out for 39. Cole continued to accumulate runs between some crisp pinch-hitting at the other end by Manpreet, eventually bringing up his maiden 50 to generous applause from onlookers. Despite the constant trickle of wickets, the run rate required was manageable for the duration of the innings and the away team were still favoured to win it at this stage. Unfortunately Coley got a top edge chasing a wide one and was caught at 3rd man just a couple of overs before Manpreet looked to the boundary one too many times, holing out to Roscoe, hiding among the cows. Tanzil was caught at midwicket playing his trademark flick, which brought Yuri and Hassan together for a final stand. Requiring 24 runs off 32 balls, Hassan played conservatively, looking to hit gaps and scamper singles. It was quickly apparent that Yuri was nursing an injury that seemed to be hampering his running between the wickets. Perhaps sensing he may be inclined to go over the top rather than chase quick singles, some shrewd captaincy brought on dual spinners Benno and Oliver. Old man Benno took some time loosening up, but Oliver’s first ball was loopy with width and sure enough Yuri went after it. Roscoe moved well to make a good catch under pressure at straight long on and with that, the Craggs Cup had a new home for at least the next 12 months.

Post-match fines session

There were only 13 runs in it, but the real difference between the sides was discipline with the bat, Cowichan showing ever so slightly more on the day. It was a well fought game between two closely matched teams and the festivities kicked on long into the evening. The camaraderie between the two squads was again a good reminder of the importance of this fixture.

Does this hat make me look fly?

Peacocking at Swans

Congratulations to Cowichan on winning the cup and to Metchosin on a game well played. Shoutout also to Ross and Izak who took it upon themselves to emulate Bill and Tony in the commentary box for the last portion of the match, riffing on everything from Roscoe’s physique to Kieran’s selection policies. Truly you have both missed your respective callings gentlemen.

Metchosin take on Island Cricket this Saturday with a view to closing out the regular season with back to back victories. Winning out will help ensure that the semi final is played locally rather than in Campbell River, placing all the more importance on a strong finish for the club.