CCA Junior League 1B

Cokenach 225-8 (40 overs)

Elmdon 214

Cokenach won by 11 runs

COKENACH batsman Matthew Stevens hit a superb unbeaten century as he helped his side to a narrow win over Elmdon on Saturday.

Elmdon won the toss and elected to insert the home side, and with Cokenach missing several players, John Ford rolled back the years by partnering Matthew Stevens (100*) as the opening pair, and although Ford (11) started well hitting two fours, he fell early to a great ball from young Henry Lascells.

Phil Seale (49) came to the crease as Cokenach pushed on and by the 20-over stage they had reached 91-1. Seale was dismissed to a run-out meaning his partnership with Stevens ended at 142, and this signalled a shaky spell for the home side who proceeded to loose four quick wickets for just 30 runs.

However, Stevens had started his full-on assault of the Elmdon bowlers, and he soon became the first Cokenach player to hit a century at the club’s new ground with a run of nine consecutive boundaries and two singles as his team posted 225-8.

Elmdon, however, wanted to spoil the party, and with the combination of a lightening quick outfield, some wayward bowling and fielding, the openers Turner and Mellick (78) smashed the ball to all areas of the ground, and after just 15 overs had raced to 105-0.

After a 25 minute delay due to an accident at the entrance of the ground, Mellick was finally ran-out by wicketkeeper Sam Curtis after a Stevens’ delivery.

Stone then dismissed Reeves (30) before Stevens and Curtis combined again for another stumping. Stone continued to prove menacing and finished with 39-3.

With Stevens bowling skipper Danny Gaine around his legs with a big turning ball, Elmdon had collasped from 169-2 to 185-7.

Alex Thompson took over and despite slight resistance from the tail, his straight bowling proved too much and he also ended up with three wickets to his name as his team sealed the win and a welcome 20 points.

Meanwhile, Cokenach IIs suffered a six-wicket defeat to promotion chasing Haverhill Wanderers in CCA Junior League 6C.

Cokenach lost the toss and were put into bat by their opponents in a decision that instantly looked like paying dividends. Openers David Collins and Henry Mellick were both removed for ducks before James Law (54) and Richard Mumford (41) steadied the ship with an excellent partnership.

James Harrison (11) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Cokenach finished with a disappointing 144-9 from their 40 overs.

Haverhill raced away to 40 in just six overs after the turnaround and had victory wrapped up in the 25th over.

David Collins (2.1-0-11-2) finished with two wickets while Harrison and Merrick took one apiece.

The defeat leaves Cokenach IIs bottom of the league and still seeking their first win of the season. They face Linton IIIs at home this Saturday.