A YOUNG Thriplow thirds side visited Cockenach on Saturday with John Berks their hero. Captained by Simon Goodfellow, and including seven under 16 players, Thriplow fielded first, and 14-year-old Mark Deed and Goodfellow s accuracy and swing proved diffi

A YOUNG Thriplow thirds side visited Cockenach on Saturday with John Berks their hero.

Captained by Simon Goodfellow, and including seven under 16 players, Thriplow fielded first, and 14-year-old Mark Deed and Goodfellow's accuracy and swing proved difficult for the Cockenach batsmen.

Cockenach lost wickets steadily and after 15 overs they were four wickets down for only 27 runs, before their captain Michael Johnston came to the crease.

Johnston was joined by the experienced David Cattley, and between them they restored some stability.

Thirteen-year-old Robert Craze made things a bit more difficult for the Cockenach pair, but they pressed on to take their side to 72 in the 36th over.

Johnston eventually went for 38, while Cattley was dismissed by Craze in the 39th over for a well-earned 37.

Cockenach closed their innings on 115-6, with Deed taking 2-24, Goodfellow 1-16, and Craze 2-26.

In reply, Thriplow openers J Deed and C Huntingdon put on 26 for the first wicket off five overs before being pegged back by the bowling of B Blackaby.

John Berks came to the crease to face Blackaby's hat-trick ball and fortunately for his team survived.

Berks and Deed continued to make good progress until Deed was bowled by Ben Cossor.

Berks was then joined by a succession of lower order batsman as Thriplow wobbled against the bowling of Pearman, Speares, and Cattley.

However, Berks (39 not out) started to find the boundary and he and Mark Deed saw Thriplow home in the 33rd over.