Cricket: Ziaf knock inspires Mildenhall win
MARSHALL HATCHICK TWO COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP Division One, Mildenhall I 261-7 Elmstead Grasshoppers 119: MILDENHALL were looking for a win to inspire their campaign for the rest of the season.
Mildenhall lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a greenish wicket with plenty of cloud cover about. Once again Mildenhall got off to a bad start when in the first over Frannie Besters call for a run was rejected by Alex Reynolds and Bester was unable to make his ground and was run out for just one run.
Elmstead, who opened their bowling with two ex locals, Adie Garnham (ex Mildenhall) and Nigel Dennis (ex Fordham), used the conditions well and kept Reynolds and his new partner Richard Cross contained for the first 10 overs.
At this point Reynolds (5) went back to a ball from Dennis and was bowled. Jimmy Watson (4) came in at four and had barely settled when he miss drove a ball from Garnham and caught at mid-off by Cooper leaving Mildenhall on 31-3.
Luke Turner returning to the first team after showing good form in the 2nd X1, joined Cross and they steadily moved the score on 72 before another mix-up saw Cross run out for 35.
Ziaf Kulasi was next in batting at his lowest placing in the 1st X1 this season and immediately set about increasing the run rate. He was in dazzling form at he drove and pulled, firstly the opening attack and then the change bowlers to all parts of the ground. He reached 50 in the 34th over.
His command of the bowling allowed Turner to flourish as he joined in with some exquisite batting. The pair took Mildenhall past 150 in the 36 over. Kulasi now playing with abandon survived a sky high catching chance before Turner moved to his 50. The pair had added 118 when Kulasi's third skied catching chance was held and he was out for 84.
Steve Lankester kept up the momentum as he took 26 from 23 balls and James Holmes scored even quicker as he collected 27 in just 16 balls. Turner was finally out caught at deep backward square for 62. Mildenhall had in the end recovered to 261-7 in their overs. Adie Garnham claimed 4-56 off 16 and Dennis also sent down 16 overs and took I-56.
Elmstead began their reply with the early loss of Foster (4) when he edged a ball from Phangabantu straight behind to wicketkeeper Karl Holmes. Richards then gave the keeper and bowler their second wicket when he was caught for nine and Elmstead on 22. Prestney and Kunarajah then dug in and compiled a 50-run partnership that appeared to be a platform to a run chase.
However Kunarajah (26) then top edged Bester and was caught by Lankester. A swift piece of fielding by Cross saw Sargeant (8) next to go as he was easily run out leaving Elmstead on 87-4. An interruption for rain made the wicket more difficult and with Bester striving to make amends for his earlier disappointment Elmstead went into free fall. They lost their last six wickets for 32 runs as Bester picked up four wickets and Lankester mopped up the two tail enders. Mildenhall were winners by 142 runs.
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Division Two
Maldon 205-2 Mildenhall II 203-6
MEANWHILE at Maldon the 2nd X1 were trying to kick-start their season and batting first compiled 203-6 with openers Chris Baird (72) and Jamie Lee (65) batting well. Adam White contributed 24 and Andy Squire 18. However Maldon kept their cool and chased down the required total in the 43rd over as their two openers Elliott (68) and Randall (92*) contributed scores that saw Maldon able to record an eight-wicket win.
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Division Five
Kelvedon & Feering II 174-9 Mildenhall III 219-3
THE third team were also on their travels again and were at Kelvedon where they batted first. Thurston and Francis just missed a half-century opening partnership when Paul Thurston (13) was run out on 49. James Taylor joined Francis and the pair added 52 before Francis was bowled having just completed his 50. Taylor has been in good batting form this season and with Lou Handy also in the runs this year they set about the Kelvedon attack adding 115 before handy was finally bowled for a good 64. Taylor remained undefeated on 80 as Mildenhall posted 219-3.
Good containing bowling from Adam Hazelhurst and Chris Reeve saw Kelvedon falling below the run rate required. Reeve picked up both openers in his spell and as Mildenhall turned to the slower bowling variety of Mark Thurston and Lou Handy, Kelvedon lost wickets at regular intervals. The bowling pair picked up a brace of wickets each and with Ahern (60) the top scorer being run out Kelvedon were restricted to 174-9 in their overs leaving Mildenhall winners by 45 runs.
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HUNTS COUNTY BATS SUFFOLK LEAGUE
Division One
Mildenhall Sunday XI 188 Lakenheath 226-3
ON Sunday the 1st X1 slumped to defeat to near neighbours Lakenheath who compiled 226-3 in their 40 overs with I Harrison in good batting form scoring 113, Horrex made 65 and Leech 35. Mildenhall reply was built around Bester who made 80 but after losing him and Shepperson who made 33, Mildenhall crumbled to 188 all out with Danny Reynolds picking up 5-37.
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Division Four
Mildenhall II 164-2 Tendring Park 163-4
THE Sunday second X1 faired better at Wamil Way when they defeated Tendring Park by eight wickets. Man of the match Martin Taylor sent down 10 overs for just 19 runs, while economical spells from Peter Webb, Lee Chipchase and Mark Thurston ensured Tendering Park were restricted to 163-4. De Allas topped scored with 43. In reply Tony Cornell and Lee Chipchase added 62 before Cornell (25) was run out. Chipchase was bowled for 41 ahead of James Taylor (43*) and Martin Taylor (48*) adding the remaining 75 runs for victory.
* Mildenhall Ladies played their first two fixtures in the Four Counties league this weekend registering one win and one loss. A total of 17 players represented the club over the two days.
On Saturday MCC Ladies achieved a comfortable win at home against March Town Ladies. Batting first they achieved 100-5 in 25 overs, with Jeanette Hobbs top scoring on 24. March struggled with the run rate and only managed 55-7. Kathryn Carter bowled impressively with figures of 3-1-5-3 and Kayleigh Francis also starred on 5-2-11-2. Laura Reynolds and Kirsten Arnold also took wickets. MCC Ladies won by 45 runs.
On Sunday the Peterborough Town Ladies proved a much tougher challenge away at Elton Park. Batting first they racked up 136 despite being at21-4 after five overs. In total seven wickets were shared among Mo Jones, Kirsten Arnold, Kathryn Carter and Mary Munley.
In reply, the MCC top order failed to create a sound base leaving less experienced batters to face some quick, accurate bowling on a difficult wicket. The run rate became a mountainous challenge and MCC were all out for 77, 59 runs short. A stunning catch by Angie Joiner-Handy and a defiant three not out earned her player of the match.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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