The Metchosin Cricket Club came into Saturday's matchup with Cowichan on the back of 5 straight losses. Each loss with its own unique failure, however, when it comes to a Cragg's cup matchup, the Cougars never need any help to get motivated.
KP and Savage got things underway with some nice cover drives and sharp leaves. Roscoe and Arthur immediately using the new ball to good use, with some probing line and length bowling from the Saffa quick (Roscoe) and some delightfully flighted deliveries by King (Arthur).
Ben was first depart to a peach of a delivery by Roscoe, and Amit was next to follow trying to dispatch his midweek counterpart across the line, hit on the pads, umpire raising the dreaded finger for the LBW.
At 9-2 things were not looking healthy for home side. KP and Ross absorbed the pressure bowling and although the run rate dried up, the fielding side began to tire, either physically or by boredom it did not matter, no wickets were falling.
After a quick chat in the middle with various architects in the planning department, things began to happen and the runs started flowing. KP and Ross both finding the gaps in the field with some lovely offside shots, and the occasional sleeping fielder bringing on an extra run with some sharp running.
A healthy crowd of supporters was onsite to take in this flourishing partnership. Including half the Ross Bay gang to watch on many of their midweek compatriots!
The previous record (since 2007) partnership was 176 (Chewy & T in 2020), and as the runs continued, the record was looking more and more likely to be beaten! Ross and KP brought up fifties each with the score passing the hundred.
A few near chances had the crowd on edge as both KP & Ross were in the nineties. No sooner had the batsman combined for a wonderful 200 run partnership (new record) than KP was undone by King, after facing 137 balls, one snuck under and bowled him on 94.
The skip joined Ross with five overs to go, and the two combined for some fast running with Ross reaching his maiden ton off a misfield. An amazing moment for the club as the tears of rain came down as soon as Ross (101 from 108) had past the crease. A few more wickets tumbled as the Cougars ended on 234 with some sharp bowling at the death by Mick.
The Cougars and Cows enjoyed the tea, and off to the next innings. With some very tight bowling by Tanzil and Izak, had the Cows reeling at the loss of 3 wickets inside the power play. Tanzil finding some rhythm and picking up 3 wickets, Izak finding some very nice swing and seam conditions but unlucky to pick up any wickets.
Sharp fielding by Cocks and the other Cougars helped restrict the runs and as the overs ticked by the run rate continued to rise.
Impressive poised batting by the young gun from Cowichan Oliver (36 off 92) had the Cougars trying different options to break the middle partnerships. A few drops seeing the runs grow, but the 234 still seemed daunting for the away side.
Great spells of bowling by Rob, Cole and Amit helped peg the away side down. With Ben finishing off the tail thanks to a great catch by Cole in the deep. 180 all out and a record 6th consecutive Craggs Cup victory for the Metchosin Cricket Club and a very welcome win on home soil for the first time since the new pitch was installed!
A break next weekend sees the Cougars back at the MCG on July 6th for a match against United Victoria.
Scorecard can be found here.
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