Greg receives case of beer for match-winning knock
Cookham Dean skipper Greg Davis will enjoy a case of Theakston Beer after being named the Voneus Village Cup player of the round following his match-defining knock against White Waltham.
Having slipped from 72-1 to 72-4 in the Berkshire final, Dean were starting to wobble when Davis came to the crease and his efforts, in a 96-run stand with Alfie Agar, helped turn the tide back in their favour.
When he departed 10 overs later, having been caught by Umar Butt off the bowling of Cloudeseley Long, Dean were cruising toward a challenging total of 221.
He smashed an impressive 62 off just 31 balls, sending six fours and three sixes over the boundary rope, however, he turned in a fine all-round display, taking a brilliant catch to dismiss the dangerous Ben Scarborough - who the day before had struck 99 in a league match - before sealing victory with two balls to spare with the run out of Luke Scarborough.
Dean will face Wiltshire side Goatacre at home in the first national round on Sunday, after they defeated Winsley by 237 runs last weekend.
“We were struggling a bit at 72 for 4 on the back of losing three wickets in as many balls when I came in, but the wicket was good, so I backed myself to counterattack after scoring 148 in the last round,” Davis said.
“Alfie Agar supported me well and we quickly put on 96 for the sixth wicket to take us towards what was ultimately a winning score.
“Going into the last over we felt confident of keeping them under the required 20. We were able to bowl with a plan and appropriate field which helped!
“I always enjoyed playing in the Village Cup and we’re looking forward to hosting Goatacre in the next round.”
Stoke Green will represent Buckinghamshire in the national rounds, having beaten Bledlow Village by 90 runs in the final.
They'll visit Findon of West Sussex on Sunday, with Findon having overcome West Chiltington & Thakeham by three wickets. Stoke Green reached the semi-final of the competition last season before losing to eventual winners Calmore Sports.
“We're not thinking too much about the opposition,” said captain Gagan Singh.
“We'll just take the team and game as it comes on Sunday. We don't play the names; we just play the ball.”