4s Go Top

Report courtesy of Joe Figg.

On a warm afternoon, the unbeaten Maldon 4th XI crossed the Strood to play West Mersea’s 2nd XI. Maldon won the toss for the first time this year and elected to bat on what looked like a tricky wicket.

The key to Maldon’s success this year has been keeping the scoreboard moving in the first 10 overs and openers Mike Cutmore and Steve Brown did so again successfully before Cutmore was caught at mid wicket for a well paced 29. After a couple of quick wickets, skipper Joe Figg joined Steve Brown in the middle and the pair began to rebuild the innings.

Mersea’s accurate bowling on a wicket that kept very low restricted Maldon to 72/2 from 20 overs. Shortly after drinks Steve Brown was bowled for a well made 31 runs having anchored the innings once again.

Joe reached his half century from 57 balls and formed successful partnerships with Richard Buckby (13), Charlie Figg (6), Al Johnston (3), Josh Lawes (9) and Callum Figg (3*). The runs flowed and Joe continued to find the gaps and the ropes and reached his second century of the season from 86 balls. After 40 overs Maldon had reached 224/7. On a tricky wicket this looked like a strong score.

Maldon have not conceded more than 92 runs in an innings this season and this proved to be the case once again, bowling out the Mersea batsman for 80 runs in the 36th over.

Patience and bowling in partnerships was key. Kian Woolston and Callum once again open the bowling and after 13 overs Mersea were 26/1 with Woolston with the only wicket. Josh Lawes and Dave Blackboro then continued with the economical bowling spells with Mersea restricted to 55/3 from 25 overs with a wicket each. A great diving catch by Al Johnston, running in from mid off, was key to bowling out Mersea as it gave access to the lower order batsman.

Johnson himself then cam on to bowl and in 4 overs he took 5 wickets for 10 runs with 1 catch behind, 1 LBW and 3 clean bowled. A great display a spin bowling that tour through the Merseamiddle and lower order. Alex Strong then took another wicket at the death before Callum Figg returned to clean bowl the Mersea number 11 to finish with 1-7 from 7.3 overs including 5 maidens!

 

Another great team performance by the Maldon 4th XI which sees them sitting top of the table. Mersea were great hosts and Maldon next travel to Ipswich to face Ipswich & East Suffolk2nd XI looking to keep the unbeaten run going.