Another Ton For Elmo

Maldon closed their Division 1 campaign with the long trip to Worlington looking to finish with back to back victories. There was also a debut for promising youngster Finlay Jones who was accompanied in the side by fellow Under 15 player Angus Beames only playing his second first team match.

Having lost the toss and been asked to bat it was a steady start by Ross Walpole who lost a couple of early partners and was joined at the crease by Ian Elliott at 36 for 2. They were to put on a stand 98 which set a platform for a 200 plus score. When Walpole was removed, caught on the boundary, for 46 trying to reach his fifty Elliott went on with Mackenzie Jones past 200.

This was to be Elliott’s second century of the season with a masterful innings that had both early patience and destructive power. When he was caught behind for 114 at 217 for 4 it was set up for Mackenzie Jones, Matt Anderson and then Matt Wild to dispatch the Worlington bowlers around the ground and when the innings finally finished at 260 there had been a hundred runs scored in the last ten overs.

Maldon set about defending their large total and as has been usual this season Matt Wild made an early breakthrough. Worlington threatened to build partnerships but when the impressive form of Jack Bowen continued as he removed the dangerous Richard Ford and then Gallop with a sensational catch from wicket keeper Jimmy Ainscough they were left struggling to make inroads into the Maldon total.

After Matt Anderson had Worlington’s number 5 caught by Mackenzie Jones on came the Under 15 duo of Finlay Jones and Angus Beames who excelled in a tight eleven over spell that ended any hopes Worlington had. Finlay Jones especially delighted when he took his debut first team wickets.

The first being Worlington’s only successful batsman Graham Ford being caught by his brother Mackenzie for 65 and then a sharp stumping from Ainscough who demonstrated why he is the best and leading wicket keeper in the league again this season.

It was just left for captain Pugh with 3 for 3 and Elliott picking up a wicket also to close the Worlington innings at 162 all out and the season to leave Maldon in a respectable 7thplace finish.

A great way to end the season with another great display and a sense of a promising future. Maldon will only be looking upwards next season.