Three Bridges' top runscorer praises 'outstanding chemistry' of side

Three Bridges Cricket Club’s top run scorer Sam Cooper has  praised the side’s chemistry as outstanding.
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Bridges may not have had the best August Cup campaign – losing three of the four matches so far - but they had an exceptional first season back in the Premier Division last year finishing third.

That was Cooper’s first year after joining the club from St James’s Montefiore - and the big-hitting batsmen has enjoyed success with Bridges.

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Cooper said: “I think the key to our success last year was that we didn’t rely on one person to score all the runs or one guy to take all the wickets. We produced some excellent team performances where everyone contributed. The chemistry we have in our side is outstanding and when one guy doesn’t perform another member will.”

Sam Cooper in action for Three Bridges against Brighton. Picture by James WesternSam Cooper in action for Three Bridges against Brighton. Picture by James Western
Sam Cooper in action for Three Bridges against Brighton. Picture by James Western

In the August Cup, Cooper is the third top run scorer in Group A1 despite only playing in three of the four matches.

He has scored 178 runs including a hundred against Middleton, and is behind Rohit Jagota (214) and Sean Heather (209) in the charts.

Cooper said: “I have really enjoyed the August Cup so far this year! I feel very fortunate to have been able to play some sort of cricket this year especially with this pandemic going on. I have particularly enjoyed the one day format especially with the free hits being incorporated into the game.”

And Cooper was not always the attacking batsmen he now is.

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He said: “Up until the last couple of seasons I was a lot more conservative when I played. I felt a change was needed and the best way for me was to take on the bowlers and to not let them bowl at me. I was a very late grower and strength was never on my side, getting stronger has allowed me to attack and bat a lot more freely.

“I love to keep my batting as simple as possible. I am not afraid of getting out playing a stupid shot. Regardless of the situation I will play my normal game which is to attack and push the fielders back.”

And it was the chance to play Premier Division cricket that attracted Cooper to Bridges.

He said: “St James were a fantastic team to play for but sadly would just miss out on promotion pretty much every year. Three Bridges are a great bunch of lads who have always been very friendly towards me when I have played against them in the past. I have always wanted to play premier league cricket and once they got promoted it seemed like the right move to make.”

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Bridges lost to Horsham on Saturday after a top order collapse saw them dismissed for 133 chasing the 197 target.

This week they travel to reigning Sussex Cricket League champions Roffey.

Roffey will have to win to stand a chance of qualifying for the play-offs - which take place on Saturdays September 5 and 12.

Cooper said: “Roffey are an excellent side and we would love to end the season beating them.

“It should be an exciting high-scoring day especially because the pitches are usually excellent and the boundaries are small.”