Mildenhall hosted one of the best club sides in the country at home on Saturday (Norfolk side Swardeston CC). Mildenhall captain Ben Shepperson won the toss and invited Swardeston to bat first.
Mildenhall got off to a fantastic start as Lambert was out first ball caught by Jack Loveday at fine leg off the bowling of Tino Best. Things got even better when third ball of the match when Gray was bowled for 4. Reynolds become Tino's third victim of the day when he was caught by Adam Trett. Former County cricketer Joe Gatting was removed for 2 by Kyle Morrison and Swardeston looked in some trouble at 4-30. This soon became 5-52 as Denmark was caught behind by Luke Youngs off the bowling of Tom Allen. The two Taylor's formed a useful alliance for the Norfolk team and were able to steer Swardeston into a more positive direction. C. Taylor produced a fantastic display of batting from the number 4 position. Taylor was LBW to M. Hussain for 92 off 88 balls with 15 sumptuous fours. Taylor was dismissed with the score at 139. The Taylor's putting on 87 runs in their partnership. The classically initialed J. Taylor was the next Swardeston batsman to be dismissed when he was bowled by Tino for (45). Late order resistance from Swardeston took the game away from Mildenhall, Ruffell with 38, Elliott with 28 and skipper Thomas with 23 not out. Swardeston finished with a very strong 261 all out from 56.5 overs. Tino Best was magnificent for the home side bowling 10 overs 4 wickets for 24 runs. There were wickets also for Morrison, Tom Allen and Matt Allen. Hussain was both economical and threatening taking 3 wickets for 59 runs from his 13.5 overs but it was Best that will be remember with the ball on this day as he signed off in some considerable style.
After that positive ending sentence lets talk about the Mildenhall 1XI batting response...on second thoughts perhaps we had better skip over this past of the report? How bad could it be? Well it was pretty bad sports fans as Mildenhall collapsed to 110 for 9 from 31.1 overs. I'm reading through the scorecard trying to find something to report that's positive...I'm searching, I'm really looking very closely, I've got a microscope out and I can't see anything that I really want to touch upon. Only five Mildenhall batsmen reached double figures (Reed 11, Youngs 15, Matt Allen 14 (runs not his age), Morrison 18 and Tino 16). The Swardeston bowling was far too good for Mildenhall. There were wickets for Oxley, Taylor (2), Ruffell (3) and Gatting (3). A disappointing day for the 1XI but here is hoping that I have plenty of good news to report from this point forward.
Oh dear God nooooooooo!!!!!!
The 2XI visited Great Dunmow (I use the term Great in it's loosest possibly sense here - no offence). Great Dunmow batted first and scored 201 runs from their 34.5 overs. A reasonable total especially considering they only batted that amount of overs. I'm sure Mildenhall were thankful that they didn't bat the full 45 overs. Maybe somebody should tell the 'Great' ones that it is a 45 over a side match? Gallant was the top scorer for the home side with 61. Rooney contributed 29, Reid was 48 before he was run out by the colossus of charisma Alex Wilkins (my apologies for that Alex but writing this report is making me so miserable that I'm trying to have some fun with my own jokes). Roswell was caught and bowled by S. Graham for 26. In terms of bowling highlights Matt Heywood was the star for Mildenhall. Matt bowled 14 overs for 60 runs taking 4 wickets. There were also wickets for Steve Graham (2) and Jon Allen and Jack Bowman.
And the 2XI then had their opportunity to bat and in the words of Robert DeNiro from the movie Copland 'and you blew it!!!!!!!' Mildenhall did managed to bat the exact same number of balls as Great Dunmow but for considerably less runs. Mildenhall finished on 148 all out. Ryan Clark (16) and Jon Allen got the innings off to a decent start. Super Alex Wilkins was dismissed for 21, Tom Heywood on his return to the 2XI made 24. Jack Bowman was equal top scorer with 31 and Alaistair Kingdon scored 15. There were ducks for Squire, Graham and Matt Heywood (not altogether interesting but I'm just filling some space with a bit more miserable news). For the home side Rix took 4-57 but it was Sewell with 5 wickets for 43 runs that was the bowling star for the greatness of Dunmow.
Hopefully that's the end of the bad news/results...oh
A youthful looking 3XI travelled to Felixstowe Corinthians (what is a Corinthian - well Google is your friend readers) in an attempt to get their season kick started. Mildenhall batted first and lost Reuben Handy early for 2. For the second week in the row we saw an act of sheer determination and bravery from a 3XI player. Kiefer Renouf received a blow on the bicep that would have destroyed the courage of even Rocky Balboa. Kiefer was in such absolute pain that he could only just slam one through mid wicket for 4 before enough was enough. Crippled in pain and unable to fight any longer Kiefer had to leave the field. Thankfully due to the restorative power of ice/water and cigarettes Kiefer was able to make it back to the field of play to renew his innings. Kiefer fought through his injury and inner demons to core 19 before he could bat no longer and wafted one to a short third main that had only been recently moved their. Thankfully despite his crippling injury Kiefer's cricket brain remains perfectly undamaged and perfectly useless. Gabe Jones showed a great deal of promise in his innings of 16. Andy Zajac (18) was able to form a partnership with James Taylor that at least got the Mildenhall innings going. Taylor batting at an unaccustomed number 5 in the order finished 62 not out as Mildenhall amassed 156 for 7 from their 45 overs. For the home side the main bowlers were Hopkins (15 overs 2 wickets for 63 runs) and Lawrenson (8 overs 3 wickets for 16 runs).
Mildenhall started brightly with the ball thanks to a fantastic spell of bowling from Martin Kingdon. Martin bowled 14 overs for 32 runs and taking 3 wickets. Martin was back to his very best with the ball. Andy Zajac took 1 wicket from his 10 overs. Cameron Francis took 2 wickets for 13 runs from his 3 overs. Unfortunately it wasn't enough as the home side knocked off the runs for 6 wickets down. Ben Hopkins with 39, B Cannelll with 36 but it was young wicketkeeper Challis who was the most accomplished with 34 not out. Despite his horrific injury Kiefer was able to pull off a superman style catch during the Felixstowe innings. Just another example of the sheer guts and determination of our favourite Electrician. Would you let this man wire you domestic appliances? He may not wire them correctly but if he were to be electrocuted he would still get up, dust himself down and carry on just as badly.
At least the 4XI can give us some good news to life the spirits...4XI? 4XI? 4XI?
Judging by the tone of this report so far you might have guessed that the 4XI did not win. Mildenhall batted first and Andy Francis was looking good before he was dismissed for 31. The 'Hammer' Mick Saunders was an early casualty when he was dismissed by Morgan for 1. Experienced Paul Thurston stuck around for 19 before he was dismissed by Mark. Josh Jones showed his excellent potential with the bat as he top scored with 32 before he was bowled by S. Hunt. S. Hunt???? Lou Handy was the only other major contributor with the bat. Chairman Lou was out for 28. Mildenhall finished with 159 all out from their 45 overs. S. Hunt that Benedict Arnold (please use Google if you are unaware of US history) took 5 wickets for 32 runs off his 11 overs.
Well at least the 4XI got a wicket. Sudbourne Hall reached their total off 25.4 overs. Scarce top scored with 80 not out and B. Morgan scored 69. A comfortable win for the top of the table Sudbourne Hall.
At least our top of the table Ladies side can give us all a cheer now with another tale of their victories! Oh for the love of God!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mildenhall ladies travelled to Easton in a T20 fixture. Easton batted first and scored 136 off their 20 overs. Mildenhall skipper Kayleigh too 3 wickets and there was also a wicket a piece for S. Ford Keeble and Fliss.
Pippa was first out for Mildenhall when she was dismissed for 16. Helen was dismissed for 0, Angela for 7 and Fliss for 6. Lucy was able to give some support to the Bradman-esque Sheldene. Lucy was unfortunately run out for 17. Mildenhall ladies fell an agonizing 1 run short of their target. Sheldene (I love your batting average by the way...so very Jell) finished on 70 not out but it just wasn't quite enough to get our ladies to the required total.
All in all a very disappointing weekend for the club (Sunday 1XI and 2XI reports to follow) but somehow I've written more this report than any other weekend so far. On the 'Mr. Brightside' I thought the Killers were fantastic at Glastonbury at the weekend and it got me thinking about the possibility of Martin Kingdom and Mike Kill forming their own version of 'The Killers', I wonder what songs they would cover??
It is as if James Herbert is writing the results for this weekends matches. It didn't get any better for the Sunday 2XI as they took on Risby at home. The Sunday 2XI batted first. Jack Horn opened the batting and was able to top score with his innings of 31. Only 2 other batsmen reached double figures Owen Grinling (11) and Maddox Colby (15). Mildenhall were all out for a depressing 80 off 20 overs. Risby dominated with the ball. N. Samuels bowled 10 overs and took 5 wickets for 41 runs. C. Thomas bowled 7 overs and took 5 wickets for 18 runs. Mildenhall started well with the ball as Kiefer Renouf and RVO ripped through the top order but it was that man Samuels that proved the difference with an innings of 33. Risby eventually reached their target of 81 off 24.4 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Kiefer took 3 wickets for 42 runs, RVO took 2 wickets for 22 runs off his 10 overs and Jack Horn took 1 for 14. The return fixture is next week and I'm sure the young 2XI will be looking to exact some murderous revenge (please refer to Herbert comment above).
As in victory....(never has that been more apt).
JT