SEVEN wickets from Matt Stevens helped Cokenach pick up maximum points in their first game of the season.

The captain, pictured, tore through the middle order and tail end to dismiss NCI for 129, a total that Cokenach easily surpassed thanks to Charlie Chambers’ half century.

After the match Stevens said: “Obviously I’m pleased with getting a few wickets myself but we played good positive cricket as a team out there. I’d like to congratulate NCI in making every effort to finish the game, despite the rain delays, the spirit of cricket was clearly evident today.”

Having won the toss Stevens inserted NCI, and it proved to be the right choice as the scoreboard showed only 21 runs from the first 10 over.

Peter Clarke (1-13) took the first wicket, having Russell Ward caught by James Harrison. Nick Newman (42) came in on put on 51 runs with Steve Taylor (24), taking the score to 72-1 before the latter became Stevens’ first victim.

An hour rain delay did little to affect Stevens’ as he took his tally to two, removing Nadim Ahmed, before Chambers dismissed Newman.

At 103-4 Stevens (7-31) took over the game, claiming three more wickets before Chambers added his second before the skipper cleaned up the tail end as NCI finished on 129.

In reply John Ford and Chambers put on first-wicket stand of 61. After Ford (15) was run out Chambers (51) pushed on to reach his half century but was caught, leaving Cokenach at 98-2.

Stevens (27) went shortly after but Clarke (14no) and Rychard Field (17no) saw Cokenach to victory. Final score: Cokenach (130-3) beat Cambridge NCI 3rds (129) by seven wickets.