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Coetsee is class in win

Rod Highton
12/ 6/2008

A TREMENDOUS unbeaten century by professional Werner Coetsee, coupled with a splendid performance in the field, resulted in a major upset in the Lake Garage Central Lancashire League title race last Saturday.

The Moonrakers trounced Monton and Weaste by seven wickets at Towncroft.

Monton and Weaste skipper Trent Scott won the toss and chose to bat on another Towncroft screamer.

His side got off to a flyer, Lee Dale taking a liking to Matthew Currin and planting him for a massive six into the houses in Rochdale Road. It summed up the positive approach by the visitors who mustered 21 runs in the first three overs.

But Monton found Tom Read a different prospect. Read kept a tight line and length and proved highly economical. He also claimed a vital wicket when he trapped Brandon Nash leg before for seven.

Scott went in at three and at once attacked ferociously. He and Gurav Sharma added 81 runs. They were like chalk and cheese, Scott playing the aggressive part with Sharma happy to plod along in a supporting role.

With the score around 100 Scott began to accelerate. He reached his half century off 74 balls in 64 minutes.

Coetsee was switched to the Towncroft Avenue end and Dale Highton took over at the Hollin Lane end. The tactic worked as Scott, who had become frustrated by the fact his partner didn’t move on, tried to take a quick single, was sent back, and run out by Stanworth’s direct hit for 66.

With overs running out new batsmen Matthew Cross and Sharma tried to escalate the run rate, but they found it difficult against the tight spin attack off Coetsee and the once again impressive Highton.

The Middleton fielders supported their bowlers valiantly by preventing any quick singles which the batsmen tried to take. It was this pressure in the field that brought the next wicket.

Sharma set off for a run after hitting behind square. While wicket-keeper Stanworth ran after the ball Steve Davey ran to the wicket to fill in Stanworth’s position, but as he reached the crease he accidentally ran into Sharma who stumbled and sent back Cross who was by now going for a second. Cross didn’t make it back as Stanworth hit the sticks at the bowler’s end.

Monton and Weaste contested the run out, arguing that Davey had prevented the run by barging into Sharma. But the umpires stuck to their guns and upheld the decision.

The remaining few overs of the innings were played out in a tense and moody atmosphere due to the Cross run out, and Monton closed on 199 for seven.

Middleton suffered an early double blow in their reply.

Steve Davey snicked an Andy Taylor delivery to wicket-keeper Chris Hindle for five, and he was followed by the out-of-form Stanworth who for the second time in a week was run out for four.

At 21 for two all hope rested on the shoulders of Coetsee and the experienced Jimmy Ryan.

After a slow start Coetsee attacked the bowling. Playing shots all round the wicket, the South African reached his 50 from 83 deliveries in nearly an hour and a half. His next 50 runs took only 25 balls.

Ryan rotated the strike and waited for the bad ball to be put away. His 53 may have taken 101 deliveries, but his contribution cannot be highlighted enough.

Ryan eventually ran himself out on 181, and it was down to Grant Jones and Coetsee to see the Moonrakers home.