Mildenhall 1XI took on Gt Witchingham of Norfolk on Saturday in an EAPL clash. Gt. Witchingham batted first and look in control from ball one. James Spelman and Sam Arthurton providing a rock solid base for the Norfolk side. Both openers passed 50 before a wicket would fall. The opening batsman taking their time on a very dry Wamil Way surface. It was spin that struck the first blow for the home side. Hussain and Maiolo picking up wickets thanks to catches from Eddie Finnis and Tom Rash. Stolworthy provided value with his 36 from 31 balls and there were contributions later in the order from Riseborough and Hanby. The final total for the away side was 242 from 64 overs. 7 wickets fell. It was not a massive total to chase but on a tricky wicket it still present a challenge for the table topping Suffolk side. Mildenhall certainly tried plenty of bowling options. Nick Maiolo took 3-48 from his 18 overs whereas Murtaza took 2-49 from his 18. There was also a wicket for Joe Reed and Matt Allen.
Mildenhall got off to a reasonable start. Joe Reed and Matt Allen looking very solid at the crease. Well Joe Reed always looks solid just in looks but this innings showed great restraint. Joe felt the need to put away some of his trademark big shots. Matt was the first to go when he was caught for 26. Nick Maiolo was unable to make a sizable contribution as he was LBW for 4. James Stamatis hit 3 boundaries in a quick fire 13. Ben Shep was unable to trouble the scorers. Tom Rash showed his undoubted class and resiliency with his 35 not out. Tom was the second highest scorer behind Joe's 40. The rest of the Mildenhall batting fell away. Nobody else made double figures and batting looking like a Love Islander trying to understand the various plot lines of a Oscar Wilde play. Mildenhall were all out for 147 from 42 overs. Disappointing day in the sun for the home side but fingers crossed it was just a blip in an otherwise very positive season so far.
Speaking of positives. Mildenhall 2XI travelled (to be honest they could have walked) to near neighbors Lakenheath. Mildenhall batted first. Adam Trett showed glimpses of good form before he fell victim to the wily Pallant for 28. Carl Manels got the wickets of skipper Steve Graham (13) and Mildenhall's GOAT Andy Squire for 48. Tom Allen was one of the highlights with the bat for Mildenhall. Tom scoring an accomplished 50 before Pallant struck again. Jack Loveday was a savage batting down the order at number 7. Jack clubbed a vicious 56 not out. Mildenhall finished with 216 for 8 from their 45 overs. Pallant with 4-88 and Manels with 3-45.
Shane Leech and Dom Palmer got Lakenheath off to a great start before Shane was caught by Ben Curran from the bowling of Jack Loveday for 21. Dom Palmer pushed on to make 62 before he was run out. Chris Baugh scored 26 before he fell to Jack Bowman. Adam Horrex made 37 before he was another Jack victim (this time Loveday). Those veteran batsman Pallant and Leech kept Lakenheath in the hunt late on the innings but it wasn't enough. Lakenheath were all out for 204 from 43.4 overs. Jack Loveday 3-41 and Jack Bowman 4-63. Big Dunc Fraser also bowled well taking 2-24 from his 7 overs. A good day for the 2XI who are still very much in the hunt for promotion from division 2.
Not such a good day for the 3XI, I'm afraid. Woodbridge batted first and made 173 all out from 44.4 overs. Scopes was the top scorer with 79. Martin Taylor was his normally charming and very effective self taking 3-51. Tom Heywood took 2-63. Cam Francis an excellent 2-30 from 7 and Kiefer Renouf also outstanding with 3-22. Kiefer has bowled very well for the 3XI this season so far. The total did prove challenging for the 3XI. Neil Clark who is another player in excellent form hit a quality 61. Kev Pearson the master of the 20-30 hit 30 before he was out. Raeel Afaal promoted from the 4XI looked good for 22. Kiefer and Andrew Youngs both made an unlucky 13. Mildenhall 3XI ending on 158 all out from 43.1 overs. It has still been a much improved season for the 3XI so despite this unfortunate setback there is a lot to be positive about in the 3XI. An away trip to St. Margarets next week is always one that the 3XI look forward to...
The 4XI were in action against Tendering. Mildenhall batted 1st on a very dry deck. Saunders and Taylor opened the batting. Saunders was the first to go when he nicked off to Head for 12. Taylor was another victim of Head when he pushed one straight into mid offs hands for 19. Ellis, Thurston and Parker were unable to really make a significant contribution. It was skipper Lou Handy with 72 and Pete Worthington with 75 that were the difference makers. Lou batting with his normal grit (yes that's grit it's not a typo of *hit) and determination and Peter despite batting with one of the worst excuses for a bat I've ever seen. Both batsmen had to be careful early on and that patience paid off when they were able to accelerate late in the innings. The final total of 227 from 45 overs was a decent one. 2 wickets for the excellent Head, 2 wickets for Gibson and 2 for Del (the Dipper) Martin.
Tendering never looked liked chasing the total down in all honesty. Robinson (22) and Jenno (24) gave them some hope but the opening spell of Parker, Kingdon and then Handy took the match away from the away side. Doctor Mo Ubaid was once again at his best with his tantalizing leg spin and he was backed up by another leg spin Luke Ellis. Martin Kindon back with 2-28 from 11 overs. Lou Handy 3-7 in a MOM allround performance from the skipper. 3-18 from Doctor Mo and 1-36 for Luke Ellis.
So a mixed day for the club but reasons to be cheerful 1-2-3 as we move into next week.
As in victory.
Twin Scoop.