A young Coddington & Winthorpe side were beaten by a well-organised Sutton Bonington side in Division H of the South Notts League on Saturday, writes Joshua Mee.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Coddington & Winthorpe made a strong start when opening bowler Ewan Butterfield took two wickets in two balls, reducing the home side to 21-2.
The game was very much in the balance at the halfway stage, with Sutton Bonington 58 for three after 20 overs. However, strong fourth and fifth wicket partnerships, including a patient half-century from Henry Smith, added more than 100 runs to the score and took the home side to a very respectable score on a very decent wicket.
Coddington & Winthorpe’s innings began poorly, with the first three batters falling to make it to double figures.
Then, at 14-3, Elliot Thacker and Jay Butterfield put on a really strong partnership, giving the away team hope of a win.
Butterfield’s innings came to an end on 54 after a ball kept low and skidded through his defences, and Thacker (29) fell a few balls later, leaving the lower order to a chase of 66 runs off 66 balls.
It seemed that the game was to go right down to the wire, however Sutton Bonington did very well to keep the pressure on, taking consistent wickets, bowling the Coddington & Winthorpe side for 140.
Steve Oakley was the pick of their bowlers, taking five wickets for just 20 runs.
A game played in good spirits, Coddington and Winthorpe will be disappointed they couldn’t take control of the game and get the win, especially after getting into good positions with the ball, and then with the bat.
Captain Ewan Butterfield said: “We were a very young side, with only two players over the age of 21, and so with all things considered we put up a good fight.
“I think we lost the game in the last ten overs of our bowling innings, with a lack of options to use to take back control when they put on their big partnerships.’
This weekend, the 1sts are back at home, taking on Poplars 1st XI.
