Maldon Cricket Club

U9 News

Well done to all the under 9’s who have played in the opening three matches of the season. This is a new venture for this year and very much a season of development and enjoyment.

Our first match was definitely a baptism of fire with a tough cup game away to Billericay. Despite losing we acquitted ourselves well and special mention must go to Oren who took a wicket with his first ever ball for Maldon and Logan who managed to score an eight!!! Also taking their first wickets for Maldon were Lillian, Oscar and Oliver. Our hosts were very complimentary of our efforts so well done to all the eight debutants.

Our next two matches pitted us against two different Great Baddow teams. The first game being away on a Thursday night. Going into the last over we were only 7 runs behind thanks to two 30 run partnerships between Harry and Henry and Meghan and Lillian but unfortunately we didn’t get over the line. Well done to Harry who managed to smash a six, Meghan with four 4’s and Oren who took three wickets in one over.

On Sunday we played a different Great Baddow team and although it wasn’t as close as the previous game there was real improvements with both bat and ball. Harrison bowled really well and was unlucky not to take a caught and bowled chance. There were wickets for Oscar, Oliver and Oren and for the second consecutive match Harry managed to hit a six. Again a great effort and it has been really great to see the team improve and play with such enthusiasm.

Sunday 22nd June

On a lovely sunny Sunday morning the Under 9’s headed to Brentwood Cricket Club for their third league game. After Oscar won the rock, paper, scissors he decided to field first. The bowling again showed real improvement with a lot less wides and no balls. The highlights of the innings being Harrison and Meghan getting their first Maldon wickets and Oscar getting a wicket to. Lillian was probably the stand out bowler today and was unlucky not to get her own wicket.

When it was our turn to bat Oren and Freddie got us off to a great start with some great four hitting from Oren and a partnership of 33. In our third partnership Bryony playing her first game and Meghan hit some good shots for a partnership of 22. Harry hit shot of the day when he smashed a cover drive over the top only to be agonisingly short of a third 6 of the season. Lillian ably supported him with some fine leg side hitting.

Despite the loss this was our biggest team total batting and another game which showed the continual improvement in our rookie season. Well done to everyone.

Sunday 29th June

The fourth game of our league season saw us visiting Galleywood on a blisteringly hot Sunday morning. After losing rock paper scissors we were asked to bowl in our new shirts which looked very smart. Against a strong batting team we struggled to take wickets but we bowled fewer wides and no balls and there is definite signs of improvement. Special well done to Freddie Davis who took his first wicket in his debut match. Although Joshua didn’t take a wicket it was another good debut. In the field we had lots of direct hits where the batsman was just in so a little unlucky there. 
When we batted it was just as tough and it was pointed out that one pair were facing Pat Cummings from one end and Shane Warne from the other!!! We battled on though and well done to everyone for their effort. I have to say the enthusiasm of the players is fantastic and they continue to be a credit to themselves.

Sunday 6th July

Springfield away

Last Sunday we travelled to Springfield for our next league game. After losing rock paper scissors we were asked to bowl. Another improved performance in the field saw Harry D bowl well on his debut and Oliver and Josh get run outs. The highlight of the innings had to be Henry though who not only achieved a direct hit run out from the boundary but also took an awesome catch of Josh’s bowling.

When we batted, Oliver and Henry started well with a 19 partnership including two four’s. Every other partnership finished with a positive score and Freddie Davis managed to hit his first four.

Again another step in the right direction and a very enjoyable game. Well done to all the players.

Sunday 13th July

Writtle away

After gaining our first victory when Great Waltham conceded on Thursday we headed to Writtle Sunday morning. We decided to field first and continued to look much better in the field with 3 more run outs two from Oscar and one from Meghan. We missed a few catching opportunities but we definitely backed up better. Well done to Oren for his two wickets as well.

With the bat Oren, Harry, Lillian, Harrison, Meghan and Oscar all hit four’s which culminated in 9 in total. This was the most we have hit as a team. The biggest shot came from Meghan though with her first big six. In the end we finished about 40 runs short of our opponents which is a big improvement on recent games and hopefully we can take this batting into the next game. The running between the wickets was again much better. Well done to everyone for a fine performance

Sunday 20th July

Well we managed to just about beat the rain even if we didn’t beat the opposition. Batting first against Ingatestone we started with some four hitting from Harry C and some good running between the wickets along with Freddie Day. The next partnership faired even better with six four’s in a 38 run partnership between Oscar (4) and Henry W (2). Lillian and Oliver also hit a four each as we ended up with a respectable total of 275.

In reply Ingatestone started slowly because of some excellent bowling from Lillian and Freddie Day. Lillian was particularly impressive with three wickets. Unfortunately the Ingatestone batters proved too strong in the remaining pairs despite some good bowling. Bryony and Oscar were particularly unlucky and we definitely could have had a few run outs on another day. In the end we lost by 50 but the game felt a bit closer than that and everyone should be very pleased with their performance. Well done to Louella on her debut and thank you to Laura and Anne-lise for providing the refreshments.

Another home game next week to South Woodham Ferrers. Hopefully it will be drier!!