Coote bowling blitz inspires North Runcton

Captain Ben Coote returned his best bowling figures of the season as North Runcton powered to an eight-wicket win at Bradfield.

Coote’s bowling blitz returned 6-19, which included a first over double-wicket maiden.

After winning the toss Bradfield were hoping to repeat their 300-plus winning innings of the previous season.

However, it was not to be as Coote had their batsmen in all sorts of trouble with good line, length and movement to take the first four wickets as Bradfield limped to 29-4.

The home side’s professionals Mekyle Pillay and Miguel Machado made a recovery to take the score to 91-5 before Pillay was caught by Jacob Lockheart off debutant Joe Gent for 14.

Gent did well to recover from rolling his ankle with just his second ball and finished with a credible 1-31 from five overs.

Machado was very dangerous and punished any short balls, half-volleys and even manufactured shots making 73 off 55 balls with six boundaries and six maximums.

An inspired piece of captaincy from Coote saw him switch Kirwin Christoffels (1-52 off 9) to the field end and to the visitors relief he struck with the first ball of his second spell to have Machado excellently caught by Alexander Payne to leave Bradfield at 131-6.

Jonah Wicks looked a useful acquisition for the home side and made 43 off 32.

However, he was seventh out caught-behind by Jack Hazel off Dylan Amin(1-27).

Wicketkeeper Hazel, playing in only his second first team match, took four catches behind in another excellent display.

Coote removed tail-enders Robinson and Harkness, leaving Jack Major (1-33 off 6.1) to bowl last man Wiseman to dismiss Bradfield for 175.

In reply, Kirwin Christoffels (21) and Ben Skipper put on 60 in just 10 overs before Christoffels was bizarrely run-out backing up to a straight drive by Skipper, helped on to the wicket by bowler Wiseman.

Skipper followed up his century of the previous week with an unbeaten and well struck 82 off 97 balls including 11 fours.

Lockheart once again looked in comfortable control and with Skipper took the score to 97-2 before a rush of blood saw him dance down the wicket and was stumped for 16.

This allowed Mark Skipper (41 with five fours) to join his brother and complete an eight-wicket victory in the 36th over.