4s Return To Winning Ways

After two disappointing defeats in a row, Maldon 4s were eager to return to winning ways away to Boxted. Having lost the toss, Maldon were asked to field first. The opening bowling attack of Xavier Scieller-Giles and Michael Newman bowled well with Xavier taking three maidens I his first three overs.

The experienced Newman soon took the first wicket of the game removing the Boxted captain LBW. Kian Woolston replaced Xavier and soon took a wicket with a smart catch down the leg side by Joe Figg behind the stumps. Runs dried up for several overs with Newman taking a further wicket and 4 maidens finishing with 2-22 from his 11 overs.

The Boxted number three batsman had played and missed on numerous occasions but after 25 overs began to play some attacking shots and reached his 50 towards the end of the innings. Charlie Figg and Josh Servis bowled well in their short spells with Charlie causing both batsman to play and miss on more than one occasion. Kian Woolston took a further wicket, after a good catch in the deep by Charlie Figg, and a wicket for Paul Woolston took the Boxted final score to 152/5.

Openers Mark Thorn and Steve Brown began the chase well and after six overs Maldon were on 38 without loss. Thorn fell to a great delivery for 35 runs while Brown continued to dig in and pick off the loose deliveries. Jason Morgan (1), Paul Woolston (1) and Joe Figg (8) fell cheaply soon after bringing in the Maldon youthful lower order to join Steve Brown.

Brown and Foakes batted well for several overs putting on a valuable 25 runs before Brown was well bowled by a delivery that spun sharply. Joshua Servis joined Foakes and he quicky set off scoring a great 22 runs in a partnership of 40 with Foakes. Xavier continued where Servis had left off and was joined by Michael Newman once Foakes was removed LBW.

Xavier hit the winning runs with 6 overs to spare finishing on 18 not out with Maldon winning by 3 wickets.

This was a much needed victory for the Maldon 4s and keeps alive the promotion challenge. The next two fixtures are against 2nd and 1st in the league, Brightlingsea and Mistley respectively.