Cowdrey 298-8 beat Addington Village 237-9 by 61 runs
COWDREY’S top order returned to form after a dramatic batting collapse the previous weekend to reinforce their hopes of winning the Kent League Division Four title.
The architect of their comeback victory was all-rounder Ryan Addison, who scored an unbeaten century – his first for the club – to put the home side out of sight.
Addington skipper Alex Rolfe lost the toss and Anthony Mills had no hesitation in electing to bat first on what looked an excellent surface at Swanmead sportsground.
Australian run machine Ashley Borella looked fluent in scoring a quickfire 36 with six fours and six but he was bowled in a rapid opening spell which brought Harry Bee two victims.
Mills promoted himself up the order in the absence of Stuart Clarke and he was joined by the prolific Addison, who gave his captain the freedom to play a hard-hitting knock and he struck 10 boundaries.
While Addison got his head down to build the foundations of his match-winning innings, Mills (52) reached his first half-century but was then caught on the boundary next ball.
Addison duly brought up his first hundred for Cowdrey, a superb, chanceless innings, and finished on 109 not out with 14 fours and two sixes.
Useful contributions from the middle-order helped Cowdrey to approach the 300-mark and they posted an imposing total of 298 for 8.
It was a welcome improvement on 68 all out the previous week against Old Colfeians but it was still achievable on a decent track which had little in it for the bowlers.
Indeed Addington started their run-chase well, using the pace of lofty Nick Farr to keep finding the boundary early on.
But the introduction of veteran Glen Warner proved inspirational choice as he made the breakthrough. Cowdrey’s attack then showed discipline to keep it tight.
In another judicious intervention, Addison was thrown the ball and the bustling paceman picked up the scalp of opener Tom Sallis for a well-made 36.
The spin of Borella returned 3 for 43, supported by good fielding and sharp catching, and with the run-rate increasing Addington’s batsmen fell having to play shots.
Special mention goes to new-ball bowler Chris Fenwick, who bowled beautifully on a docile pitch to take 2 for 24 in his 10 overs.
Addington finished 61 runs short on 237 for 9 with Cowdrey taking a maximum 18 points which keeps them clear at top the league table, 21 points ahead of Catford Wanderers with five games to go.
On Saturday [August 4] Cowdrey make the long trip to take on Walmer, who currently sit in third place 36 points behind.
PICTURE: MILESTONE: Ryan Addison scored a chanceless hundred
