Match Reports - 2nd June

Here are a few of Saturday's match reports.....

02/06/18

Maldon v Frinton

After two away wins and two home losses Maldon were looking to put their home form right on a

humid day at Drapers Farm. Captain Chris Harris won the toss and elected to bat. Maldon’s innings started

poorly and at 22 for 2 Frinton had the early advantage. Veteran Ian Elliott arrived at the wicket to start what

was to be a man of the match performance with both bat and ball. An initial 62 run stand with Harris

ended when the captain was caught on the boundary for a useful 48. This was followed by a 137 4th

wicket stand with Jimmy Ainscough that put Maldon firmly in control. When the breakthrough finally

came Elliott had reached his chanceless 101 in 100 balls. A notable feat that had been brewing for a

number of weeks as his excellent start to the season continues. Ainscough and the incoming

batsman Matt Anderson continued where Elliott had left off with Ainscough finally succumbing for a

brilliant 82 and Anderson smashing the ball to all parts for an unbeaten 54. The innings finally

finishing with an impressive 315 for 6 on the board.

In reply Frinton got off to an impressive start with an opening stand of 144 only for first Toby Pugh

and then Harris to send the openers back to the pavilion along with any hope of victory. Despite

brief cameos along the way Frinton where never likely to reach the mountainous target and it was

just left to Elliott to complete his epic day with a five wicket haul that left Frinton 48 runs short.

Wivenhoe vs Maldon 2’s

Travelling away to Wivenhoe the 2’s were inserted into bat after losing the toss in a reduced overs game. This initially looked to work in our favour as the openers got us off to a fast start with Andy Barnes making a sharp 26. However, after he departed to a well-directed short ball, the middle order followed in quick succession leaving Maldon struggling at 106-6. Reece Bawden (72*) and Liam Saxton (38) steadied the ship, before accelerating the scoring rate in the latter overs with good cameos from the two younger Foster brothers, and Jack Plumb late on hitting 2 big sixes. Maldon finished our innings on an excellent total of 231-9 from the allotted 40 overs, having once being in a troubling position early on.

In reply, our opening bowlers bowled well on what was a spinners pitch, despite the Wivenhoe’s openers similarly getting off to a fast start. Ieuan Thomas kickstarted the Maldon wicket tally by swooping the ball at cover and throwing down the stumps at the bowlers end. Ieuan matched his high standards in the field with the ball too, as he bowled in tandem with Martyn Coker and Michael Foster who both bowled economically, considering the very short tempting leg side boundary. Despite only taking 6 wickets in our bowling innings, the smart bowling and fielding by Maldon ensured Wivenhoe fell 38 runs short of the required total.

Maldon 4’s Vs Kelvedon 3’s

After winning the toss Kelvedon decided to field first which was a decision they were soon to regret. Maldon U13 player Mackenzie Jones made his maiden century for the club, an outstanding feat for such a young man with such huge potential. He scored a massive 126 which included 21 fours! He was ably assisted by club statistician Stuart Coker who also scored an impressive century ending with 112not out. This led Maldon to post a massive 306-2 from their 40 overs.

In reply Kelvedon were crushed under the onslaught from the Maldon bowlers with Mike Newman taking 3-6 which included his 900th wicket for the club. The remaining wickets were shared between Luke Reeve and James Ellis as Kelvedon crumbled to 66 all out.