2nd XI Match Reports
7th August vs Sowerby Bridge (H)
Copley 209-10 Sowerby Bridge 148-4 (Target reduced to 144 by rain) Copley lost by 6 wkts (4 pts)
The top of the table clash never really lived up to it's billing despite Copley getting off to a great start. Mark Thristan (33) and Olly Thorpe (66) put on 73 for the first wicket and despite being 103 for 1 at the half way stage, Copley failed to take advantage and were eventually all out for 209 in the last over. Only Stuart Hazelton (35) and Andy Marsland (24) offered any real resistance to some tidy Bridge bowling and some quick runs at the death by Simon Kinder (22 no) gave the score some respectability.
With Bridge having probably the strongest top order in the division, Copley needed to get on top quickly but unfortunately they made it difficult for themselves with some indiciplined bowling and at 118 for 2, Bridge looked to be coasting to victory. Copley needed a change of luck and they thought they'd found it when it started to rain. However, just when it looked like the game was going to get washed out, the inevitable happened....it stopped raining....leaving Bridge 4 overs to score 18 runs, which they duly did.
14th August vs Northowram Hedge Top (A)
Northowram HT 97-10 Copley 98-3 Copley won by 7 wkts (10 pts)
Having lost 3 games in a row, Copley needed to stop the rot if they were to remain in the hunt for the Premier Division title. After a week of inclement weather, the toss was always going to be important and fortunately for Copley, skipper Tim Rushton called correctly and asked Northowram to bat first. On a wicket that offered favourable assistance to the bowlers, Copley soon had the hosts in trouble and despite a couple of 'cameo' partnerships, Northowram never really looked like posting a total that would give their bowlers something to work with. Darren Park (4 for 41) and Tim Rushton (3 for 21) ensured it was an uncomfortable afternoon for the Northowram batsmen.
Despite a couple of early wickets, which gave the hosts a glimmer of hope, Copley never really looked like they were going to throw away an easy 10 points. Mark Thristan (27) and Andy Marsland (49 no) ensured there were no more major scares as Copley stayed hot on the heels of Sowerby Bridge at the top of the table.
21st August vs Thornton (H)
Thornton 175-9 Copley 179-3 Copley won by 7 wkts (8 pts)
Copley completed a relatively straight forward victory against a mid-table Thornton side although their inability to bowl the visitors out ultimately cost Copley 2 points in their pursuit of Premier League leaders Sowerby Bridge. Despite a couple of stubborn early partnerships, a total of 175 for 9 never looked like being enough on a wicket which played better than expected following the previous weeks relentless rain. Dean Jackson was the pick of the Copley attack with a 4 for 33 return.
Mark Thristan (25) ensured Copley’s reply got off to a brisk start and a 2nd wicket stand of 77 between Darren Park (46) and Oliver Thorpe (57 no) put the home side firmly in control. Naz Hussain (22) maintained the momentum and Copley ran out easy victors with more than 7 overs remaining.
Copley 209-
With Bridge having probably the strongest top order in the division, Copley needed to get on top quickly but unfortunately they made it difficult for themselves with some indiciplined bowling and at 118 for 2, Bridge looked to be coasting to victory. Copley needed a change of luck and they thought they'd found it when it started to rain. However, just when it looked like the game was going to get washed out, the inevitable happened....it stopped raining....leaving Bridge 4 overs to score 18 runs, which they duly did.
14th August vs Northowram Hedge Top (A)
Northowram HT 97-
Having lost 3 games in a row, Copley needed to stop the rot if they were to remain in the hunt for the Premier Division title. After a week of inclement weather, the toss was always going to be important and fortunately for Copley, skipper Tim Rushton called correctly and asked Northowram to bat first. On a wicket that offered favourable assistance to the bowlers, Copley soon had the hosts in trouble and despite a couple of 'cameo' partnerships, Northowram never really looked like posting a total that would give their bowlers something to work with. Darren Park (4 for 41) and Tim Rushton (3 for 21) ensured it was an uncomfortable afternoon for the Northowram batsmen.
Despite a couple of early wickets, which gave the hosts a glimmer of hope, Copley never really looked like they were going to throw away an easy 10 points. Mark Thristan (27) and Andy Marsland (49 no) ensured there were no more major scares as Copley stayed hot on the heels of Sowerby Bridge at the top of the table.
21st August vs Thornton (H)
Thornton 175-
Mark Thristan (25) ensured Copley’s reply got off to a brisk start and a 2nd wicket stand of 77 between Darren Park (46) and Oliver Thorpe (57 no) put the home side firmly in control. Naz Hussain (22) maintained the momentum and Copley ran out easy victors with more than 7 overs remaining.
