Photo: Davis pictured with the scoreboard after hitting a monster century in the previous round
Gregory Davis steers Cookham Dean into round five
When Gregory Davis walked out to bat against White Waltham, his side were beginning to wobble in their Voneus Village Cup regional final. After a bright start from second-wicket pair Sohil Mangat and Shahzad Asghar, Cookham Dean had slipped from 72 for 1 to 72 for 4.
When he departed 10 overs later – caught by Umar Butt off Cloudesley Long – the Berkshire side were flying on 185 for 6 and eventually set their hosts a target of 222 to win.
Davis blasted 62 runs, including six fours and three sixes, off just 31 balls and shared a 96-run sixth-wicket stand off just 44 balls with teenage wicketkeeper Alfie Agar.
His contribution didn’t stop there, with the skipper taking the catch to dismiss opposition captain Ben Scarborough – winner of the Theakston Player of the Round award in round one – and running out Luke Scarborough at the death to seal a 14-run win with two balls to spare.
And for that reason, Davis is the Theakston Player of the Round for round four.
Theakston Player of the Round
Preliminary Round: Jack Harrison (South Holderness)
Round One: Ben Scarborough (White Waltham)
Round Two: Marcus Packer (Woolpit)
Round Three: Faisal Zeeshan Hussain (Stayley)
Round Four: Gregory Davis (Cookham Dean)
“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.”
Simon Theakston, of Theakston Brewery, added: “White Waltham’s skipper would have pleased with his toss-winning decision to put visitors Cookham Dean into bat with the score at 72 for 4, but that was before Cookham Dean skipper Gregory Davis came into bat.
“In no time at all Gregory had amassed 62 off 31 balls, transforming the run tally into a match-winning total of 221. White Waltham’s positive response was first curtailed when Gregory took a fine catch to dismiss the home captain and then finally dashed completely when he performed a crucial run out, breaking a promising last-wicket partnership within 14 runs of victory.
“A wonderful all round performance which earns Gregory a case of Theakston Best Bitter for him to celebrate and enjoy with our very best wishes.”
Gregory Davis will receive a case of Theakston beer for being named the Player of the Round during the Voneus Village Cup. For more information about Theakston visit https://www.theakstons.co.uk/. Visit https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/ for the facts.
