On Saturday the 1XI travelled to Cambridge Granta for a tough EAPL fixture. It proved to be a thrilling encounter in the hot sun. Mildenhall batted first and both Joe Reed (19) and Ben Curran (14) got starts with the bat. Nick Maiolo's innings was exciting and sadly brief. Ben Shepperson was unable to make a significant impact as he was dismissed by Campbell for (2). The mainstay's of the Mildenhall innings were James Stamatis and Tom Rash. James scoring 75 off 108 balls with 6 fours. Tom made 70 from 100 balls including 7 fours. The rest of the Mildenhall 1XI innings did not produce a massive amount. Mildenhall finishing with 222 for 8 from their 50 overs. Mildenhall would have like another 25-50 runs I'm sure but it was something for the away side to bowl at. For Cambridge Granta Henry Campbell was the star bowler with 3-21 from his 9 overs.

Granta got off to a magnificent start through Tristan Blackledge and Ben Claydon. Blackledge was run out by Reed for 45 and Reed was also the bowler that dismissed the impressive Claydon for 80. Once the openers were out the game changed and Mildenhall took control. Tight bowling was the order of the day as opposed to wicket penetration. Rash finished with 1-21 from his 7 overs. Murtaza took 2-45 from his 10 overs. Nick Maiolo bowled his 10 overs for 39. Reed 1-19 from his 5 overs. The match finished on a knife edge with Granta scoring 221  for 7 wickets from their 50 overs. It couldn't have been much closer and Mildenhall will take great confidence from a close win against the strong Granta 1XI.

Another close match this time at home for the 2XI against Braintree. Mildenhall batted first and looked strong despite the early loss of Andrew Squire (8). Ryan Clark continued some early season form with an elegant 46 but once again it was that main man Steve Graham who showed his class and match winning ability. Steve batted like an Australian demi-god for his 88. There were solid contributions from Jack Loveday (30) and Tom Allen (19). Mildenhall finished with 219 from their 45 overs. Mildenhall again would have liked  20-30 more runs on a flat Wamil Way pitch. Bat-maker Dean Bass was the main wicket taker for Braintree with 4-33 off his 5 overs.

Braintree got very close to the target...but not close enough. Despite the best efforts of Chalk (61) and Ainsley (34) Braintree finished 7 runs short. Can you guess who bowled 9 overs 3-29 for Mildenhall???? You don't need to be Mystic Meg to figure out it was Steve Graham. The Jack's (Bowman and Loveday) both took 2-57 and there was a wicket for Tom and Jon Allen. Another good performance by the team and from the Skipper in particular. If you were looking for fantasy points next weekend you need to get Stevie G in your team right now!

The 3XI win...again. After only 2 wins in the whole of the 2017 season the 3XI have already reached that target from only 2 fixtures played. Mildenhall lost the toss and were put into bat on a tricky pitch and a very difficult outfield. There was very limited value for shots played along the ground. Clark was dismissed in the first over. Thurston (21) and James Taylor (26) found the going tough against the Eight Ash Green attack. The Mildenhall innings was given some impetus through Kevin Pearson (24) and Richard Thurston (28). Thurston hitting a sublime six over long off. Gabe Jones contributed a very useful 19. Mildenhall finished with 152-8 from their 45 overs. Woodcock bowled with great control and skill. His left arm slow bowling going for 26 runs from his 15 overs and he took 4 wickets including Taylor and Renouf in two balls. Two separate balls not two balls bowled at the same time.

Eight Ash Green were never really close to the Mildenhall target and they finished on 113 all out. Kingdon was excellent again bowling 15 overs taking 3 wickets for 32 runs. Martin Taylor was economical as ever 15 overs 2 wickets for 41 runs. Gabe Jones also bowled well taking 3 wickets for 11 runs from 4.5 overs. Overall, another morale boosting win for the 3XI.

Mildenhall 4XI started their league season at home against Maldon 3XI. Maldon batted first and scored 145 from their 45 overs. Harris scoing 52 and Gozzett 29. Steve Ready bowled 12 overs and took 4 wickets for 39 runs. Officer Dibble Steve Hunt returned to Mildenhall action and took 2-29 from his 10 overs. Skipper Lou Handy bowled 10 overs taking 1-28.

Mildenhall chased the target down with some ease. "The Hammer" Mick Saunders scored 62 not out in his belligerent manner. It was youngster Josh Jones that stole the show with his 77 not out. Mildenhall reached the target from only 33.1 overs. Phipps took the 2 wickets to fall for 33 runs.

And another win on Sunday as the Sunday 1XI took on Acton. Acton scoring 151 from their 40 overs. Wickets were shared between Renoux (2), Steve Ready (1), Jack Bowman (2), Renouf (1) and Ben Curran (1). Mildenhall chased the target for the loss of 4 wickets from 33 overs. Reuben scored (33), Steve Graham (31), Ben Curran (35) and Jack Bowman (23 not out). A solid performance again.

A great weekend again for Mildenhall and let us hope that the momentum continues.

As in victory

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