Fourth Team Match Report

After the heavy rain in the morning the wicket at Eight Ash Green looked in good condition and any early bounce would increase as the conditions improved and dried out. Paul won the toss (again) and elected to bat. Eight Ash Green opened with pace from one end and leg spin from the other and this proved a good combination as their opening bowlers slowed the scoring rate, so that after 10 over Maldon had scored 40 or so runs for the loss of two wickets. The scoring increased when Sandy Grant came to the wicket until he was superbly caught at mid-wicket. Lewis Allen joined Statto and by 28 overs Maldon had increased the scoring to 130/4 with Lewis getting caught for 35 and Statto on 48. Joe Figg came to the crease and put on a quick half century partnership with Statto. This partnership was broken in the 40th over with Statto being stumped on 87 after batting the whole innings in hot conditions. At the end of the innings Joe finished on 27 not out and Maldon had scored 198/6.

Maldon opened the bowling with Jas Baines (1/37) and Kritik Patel (3/42) and this opening spell of bowling claimed the scalps of 5 batsmen (one of which retired hurt after his pace maker defibrillated his heart having just hit a six over long off).

A great run out orchestrated by Statto and Joe Gregory ensured that Maldon were on top after 20 overs. However, during the middle overs Eight Ash Green scored well and were seemingly on track to reach the target set of 199 until Cameron Blackboro (2/24) and Joe Figg (2/14) claimed the final 4 wickets in the 29th and 30th overs to ensure that Maldon won by 4 wickets.

Everyone at the club wishes Eight Ash Green’s opening batsman the best after his enforced retirement.