On August 30 th the under 9`s wrapped up their first ever season with a trip to Wollaston to play a couple of games against a team of similar ability. The games were kwik cricket matches with players batting in pairs for two overs each with every player bowling one over each. Wides and no balls were penalised with 2 runs but no extra delivery. Each sides score starts on 200 with each wicket seeing 5 runs deducted from the score. With most of the Cogenhoe youngsters well under the under 9 limit it promised to provide a good test for the progress made under coach Matt Morrissey. The first game saw Wollaston post a net score of 264. The Cogenhoe reply never looked like threatening that target although in fairness they did play some proper cricket strokes and the level of calling was quite impressive,but in the end the Cogenhoe total finished on 235 ,well short. Coach Matt then got the team together and gave them a gee-up, telling them they were better than that performance which in truth was a very nervous looking one.
The opening partnership of Alex and Oliver got the side of to a great start with Oliver making the top score of the night with 17. There was also several other boundaries from a number of batsmen, as Cogenhoe posted a large total. George Thompson was at one stage on a hat trick thanks to a smart Jake Morrissey catch and a caught and bowled by George himself. Niamh, Liam, Prasil and Aiden were looking sharp in the field with catches and run outs seeing Wollaston never get going, eventually finishing well short of their target. It was a great way to finish a season and what was equally pleasing was to see lots of parents there supporting as well as second team skipper Ryan Knight no doubt casting his eye over his future charges. Dan Harris was on hand to organise the youngsters, whilst Matt was umpiring with Chairman Roy Quennell having the very difficult scoring job.
After the game Matt asked Roy to present the team with a medal as a token of the great strides made by these youngsters.This was a lovely gesture by Matt who should take much credit for firstly setting up the under 9`s and arranging the matches against local clubs. The improvement made by the under 9`s is quite something and that is all down to the excellent coaches who give up their time on Friday evenings to coach , the parents who are very supportive and the youngsters themselves who have been very quick to learn and improve.The photograph below is of the under 9`s side that played at Wollaston and we would like to thank the parents of the youngsters for allowing us to reproduce the picture.
Coach Matt Morrissey with the Cogenhoe Under 9`s 2013
Well done to the under 9’s, I have been impressed with Matt’s leadership, coaching and impressive drive to succeed within the senior teams and clearly he is working his magic with the under 9’s.
With the season drawing to a close and the nights are getting darker, I’m looking forward to our winter nets where Matt introduced some great practice drills at our last winter nets which I know can help to improve the skills of even the most established senior players.
Well done Matt