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Coetsee leads way to Moonrakers win

26/ 6/2008

WERNER Coetsee, Middleton’s South African all-rounder, was the toast of Towncroft on Sunday evening after his heroics had put the Moonrakers into the second round of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup, writes Rod Highton.

They will now face Ashton at Rayner Lane a week on Sunday.

Coetsee’s blistering 84 and a haul of five for 15 were enough to demolish Rochdale in what was a terrific day for Moonrakers’ fans.

The club’s second team making it through to the Burton Cup quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth at Redbrook.

On a blustery day at Towncroft, skipper John Punchard elected to bat first.

Coetsee, in the absence of Scott Stanworth, and Steve Davey opened the innings and went at a steady pace against the attack of Lee Milner and Scott Butterworth.

Davey had reached 16 when he was somewhat harshly judged leg before with the score on 24.

Jimmy Ryan joined Coetsee who was looking content to bat the long haul, and together they upped the run rate.

The pair were going nicely until Ryan snicked a Neil Avery delivery with the total on 85.

There then came a mini slump, with Grant Jones, Thomas Read and second team run-machine Stuart Fitton all going cheaply.

Skipper Punchard, determined as ever, stayed with Coetsee in a stand of 49, both batsmen attacking the bowlers.

Punchard looked set for a big score until he danced down the track to the spin of Alcindo Holder and was stumped for a run-a-ball 18.

With overs running out, Coetsee and the lower order did everything they could on a wicket which was taking spin.

Coetsee, who next week departs for Australia for six weeks with South Africa A, hit six fours and three sixes in a match-winning and responsible knock of 84 which was vital for his side.

Middleton were eventually all out for 178.

Rochdale came out all guns blazing, with Dominic Ayres and Simon Brierley attacking.

The duo had put on 20 before Ayers was caught by Andrew Deakin, off Read.

Brierley and Alcindo Holder then added 54 before Coetsee spoiled the Rochdale party.

From being 74 for one the visitors collapsed to 100 all out .

Coetsee ripped through the Rochdale order, ably supported by Punchard and Dale Highton.

Opening batsmen Steve Davey even chipped in.

PHIL Tomlinson was unable to complete his final over due to injury, so Davey was asked to complete it for him and claimed the wicket of Butterworth, caught by Thomas Read.

Middleton

W Coetsee c Avery b Milner 84

S Davey lbw Butterworth 16

J Ryan c Oldfield b Avery 23

G Jones c Smith b Holder 1

T Read run out 6

S Fitton b Butterworth 3

J Punchard st Oldfield b Holder 18

R Valentine b Milner 3

A Deakin c Oldfield b Milner 3

D Highton not out 4

P Tomlinson st Oldfield b Avery 0

Extras 17

Total 178

Bowling: L Milner 9-3-27-3; S Butterworth 10-1-49-2; D Currency 10-1-35-0; N Avery 8-1-28-2; A Holder 10-1-27-2; M Harling 2-0-6-0.

Rochdale

D Ayers c Deakin b Read 6

S Brierley c Deakin b Coetsee 39

A Holder b Punchard 45

A Smith c Deakin b Coetsee 0

K Ahmed c Deakin b Coetsee 1

S Butterworth c Read b Davey 0

M Harling c Davey b Coetsee 0

L Milner lbw Coetsee 1

D Currency c Fitton b Punchard 3

N Avery b Punchard 0

R Oldfield not out 0

Extras 5

Total 100

Bowling: T Read 5-1-31-1; R Valentine 5-1-18-0; P Tomlinson 5.3-0-18-0; W Coetsee 10-4-15-5; S Davey 0.3-0-0-1; J Punchard 5.1-0-15-3; D Highton 1-0-1-0.

MIDDLETON seconds left it very close at Redbrook and must thank all-rounder Gareth Hughes for their progression, writes Sam Warren.

Having won the toss on a green and damp wicket the Moonrakers skittled the home side out for 96.

Matthew Currin claimed four wickets in his final game for the Moonrakers, while Hughes claimed six for 18 in a terrific performance.

Mark Buckley must also take credit, as he bowled 10 tight overs for only 21 runs.

Middleton’s reply was woeful.

Some poor shot selection and some tight bowling reduced the Moonrakers to the disastrous position of 58 for nine.

But Hughes (28 not out) and Lee Flint (18 not out) saw the visitors home in a remarkable finish.