Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Division 6
Maldon 2nd XI 183 Kelvedon 184-7
(Maldon lost by 3 wickets)

ANOTHER a Maldon skipper top-scored for his team, this time James Ellis (58) leading a recovery after Maldon were in trouble at 64-4.

In a 70-run partnership with Jack Collins the skipper helped the team to a relatively respectable 137-4, only to see the innings collapse.

"Only two others, Tom Hawkridge (24) and Craig Gozzett got double figures," said skipper James, "and against a top side we knew a total of 183 would be difficult to defend."

However, defend it they did, and with Neil Prestridge 3-43 and Dave Richardson 3-37, they had Kelvedon rocking at 164-7. Then luck and edges went away from Maldon and Kelvedon won by three wickets.

One feature of Maldon as a club is that it will promote talent whatever the age or gender. Elissa Penkith, when not playing for Essex under-17 Ladies, is a regular in the 2nds. On Saturday she was 9 not out at the end of Maldon's innings and produced a Shane Warne bowl with her first ball pitched leg and hit the top off a stump: Kelvedon paid attention to her bowling after that!

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Division 8 Stowmarket 2nd XI 225-2 Maldon 3rd XI 226-3
(Maldon won by 7 wickets)

"One look at that track after I lost the toss and I knew we were in for a long, hot Saturday afternoon," said Maldon III skipper Andrew Barnes.

"I was so delighted with how our youngsters bowled. Stowmarket posted a good score, but it wasn't as good as it should have been."

In reply Andrew excelled by even his recent standards. With Stuart Coker, 75, he put on 160 for the first wicket in only 30 overs. And when Andrew was out, Sandy Grant, with an undefeated 39, played his best innings of the season. His hard-driving style suited the wicket.

"What a victory for the 3rds," said Andrew, "and we were so pleased with the contribution of the two 13-year-olds who made their debuts for us - Patrick White and Tom Sutton."

PDQ Cars Premier Division
Colchester 198 Maldon PDQ Premier XI 199-6
(Maldon won by 4 wickets)

Jack Collins (5-37), aided by Nimesh Perera and Dave Richardson, kept Colchester in check on Sunday at Draper's Farm.

Maldon's reply was spearheaded by Nimesh, who has run into a rich vein of form, with 82 not out and Martyn Coker (61), whose batting this year has been a real bonus for Maldon's senior teams.

PDQ Cars Division C
Frinton 296-7 Maldon Divison C XI 101
(Maldon lost by 195 runs)

Despite a good bowling performance by Stuart Coker (4-52), Maldon wilted in the sun at the Prom on a flat track against a strong Frinton side who battered the bowlers for 296-7.

Only Tom Poole, 30 , had any energy left in him after that roasting from the sun and the opposition and Maldon collapsed to 101 all out.

10:55am Friday 1st August 2008

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