Cricket Week 2021 – Review

Vice-chairman, Joe Figg has provided a review of Cricket Week which finished yesterday, with the Rhiannon Bailey trophy contest.

This year’s Maldon Cricket Week started on Tuesday evening at Drapers Farm with a T20 match between Maldon and Woodham Mortimer. Maldon’s T20 side came out on top and won by 42 runs thanks to a fine knock by Matt Shinn (97) and bowling by Jamie Goldstein (3-14). The fielding from both teams was great and superb catches being taken from both sides.

On Wednesday 21st July, The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) visited Drapers for a 50 over match against a mixed 1s and 2s Maldon XI. The outfield looked amazing, the square looked superb and the weather did not let us down. Having won the toss the MCC elected to field and scored a total of 253 all out with a superb knock of 86 from the MCC opening batsman Douglas Rice. The Maldon bowlers shared the wickets but Chris Harris was the pick of the attack with figures of 4-32 from 7.5 overs. Following a great tea break the Maldon XI began their chase and quickly found themselves 78/5 thanks to some accurate bowling. Maldon began a fightback and Harry Grant and Ian Elliott had a great 6thwicket partnership of 78. Elmo continued to bat well with runs flowing, and alongside Angus Beames (17*), finished on 83 not out as Maldon finished their overs 42 runs short of the target. This was a great day and the spectators and guests were witness to fine day at Drapers Farm. The club would like to thank the MCC for the game and look forward to welcoming them back to Drapers Farm in two years time.

On Thursday 22nd July the Chairman’s XI played against a President’s XI. The large crowd and guests of the club’s president, John Hill, were not disappointed as the cricket was engaging with lots of runs and few maidens! The President’s XI batted first and scored an impressive 202/7 from their 40 overs with good knocks from Rob (62*) and Andy Harris (69). The Maldon bowling attack shared the wickets around but Callum Figg finished with impressive figures of 3-32 from his two spells. The mix of youth and experience was critical to the Maldon side and the fielding on display was superb. Following tea, the Maldon openers began their pursuit of the target. Matt Shinn was superb throughout the innings and scored an very impressive 105 from 70 balls which saw Maldon over the line winning by 5 wickets. A valuable Contribution of 25* by Mason Foakes supported Shinny well at the end of the chase. Another great day at Drapers Farm with everyone enjoying themselves. John presented the trophy to The Chairman’s XI captain Mike Smith.

On Friday 23rd July it was the turn of the colts to take centre stage. In the morning a mixed U12, U11, U10 and U9 game was played in great spirits. Both teams played superb cricket with great cricket everywhere. In the afternoon the U15 squad played a 30 over match Vs a mixed U13s, 3rd, 4th and 5th team XI. The game ended in an exciting tie with both sides scoring 133 runs. The U13s team batted first with Jamie Brown, Steve Brown and Luke Reeve all making valuable contributions. James Blenman was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-15 from 4 overs including a tripple wicket maiden. The U15s raced to a 55/2 from just 13 overs thanks to 39 from Angus Beames before the opposition began to restrict the batsman with great bowling and fielding all round. Jamie Brown taking two great catches and Jack Freidlein with bowling figures of 2/29 from his 5 overs and two great run outs as well. Oliver Hull batted well scoring 29 and Will Hayes kept calm when 7 was needed for the win in the final over. Both sides ending up scoring 133 runs and the game ending in a tie.

At 6pm the ladies and a mixed group of 3s, 4s and 5s played in the Rhiannon Bailey Memorial match. As always the game was played in superb spirits and bright colours with Joe Figg’steam coming out on top scoring 117 runs from their 20 overs and restricting Bethan Bailey’s team to 108. Bethan and Rosie Digweed bowled well for Bethan’s side with contributions from Paul Gregory, Joe Figg and Luke Sanders helping Joe’s team post a score, In reply, Stuart Coker scored a good 24 and Callum retired on 25 not out with Luke Sanders and Ali Daniels picking up key wickets throughout. A fabulous end to a great cricket week.

The club would like to thank everyone for their help and support in organising the matches, preparing the food, running the bar, prepping the playing surfaces and for attending the events and supporting Maldon Cricket Club.