PDQ 3 Match Rpts

3rd May - High Easter Vs Boxted

Boxted’s first’s game of the season saw us away at High Easter. With nice weather and a strong team, we were hopeful of a good start to the season. It started well with us winning the toss and electing to field.

Opening bowlers Rob Nutter (0-65-10) and Matt Francis (1-24-10) started the attack with the fall of the first wicket for 55 runs in the 11th over. Things started to get away from Boxted with High Easter scoring continually and as a result Boxted needed something to raise their spirits once again. This came firstly from a superb run out by Graham Dell and an even better catch by Tim Bellemy. Tight over’s by Clive Honey (4-50-10) and Mr McKnight (1-22-10) kept the scoring reasonably low with a good fielding saw High Easter with a final score of 224.

After a very nice tea, opening batters Tim Bellemy and Clive Honey started the attack on High Easters score of 224. Things started slowly with the loss of both opening batters for a score of 8, by the 9th over. This brought Mr McKnight (52) and Matt Francis (38) to the crease who showed an array of shots all around the ground and placed Boxted in a strong position with 88 from 18 over’s. On the loss of Matt Francis, Mark Wright walked to the crease, and after many years away from the game scored a well deserved and helped 30. Unfortunately one of Boxted’s batting collapses reared its head and saw the remaining battling line up fall for only 6 runs.

This unfortunately lead Boxted to its first loss of the season with a final score of 154, though with good fielding, promising batters and bowlers, we were looking forward to our next game.

10th May - Gt Braxted & Tiptree Vs Boxted

Boxted’s second game of the season saw us travel to Great Braxted & Tiptree. With the loss of our opening game the previous weekend we were hoping we could start our division 3 title race.

From the loss of the toss we were placed into bat on an average wicket and very uneven out field. Things start slowly with Boxted scoring only 31 from 15 overs with the only saving grace in that we hadn’t lost a wicket and had a very strong batting line up to come. From over 20 Boxted were scoring more readily though were put back by the loss of Justin Hainsworth for a very well constructed 48. Out strolled Mr McKnight who managed to score 8 before getting run-out. This saw Tim Bellemy stroll to the crease who, with very few runs this season, was looking for a good innings. Once they had settled in, Boxted increased the run rate sufficiently enough to gain a target of 200 which was very much a competitive total and worthy of a fight. Praise must go to Clive who managed to stay not out for the entire innings scoring 61 and Tim who put on a great score of 70 not out ensuring the total was sufficient enough.

After tea Boxted opened with Matt Francis and Mr Mcknight (0-38-10) both bowling good spells with the odd lose ball. This ensured GB&T didn’t eat into our total too swiftly however by the mid-point they managed to achieve 115 for the loss of 1 wicket off of Matt Francis’s (1-48-8) bowling. With a good bowling debut by Craig Gledhill after 8 years out and mixed spells by Andrew Wilson (0-21-2), Justin Hainsworth (0-14-4) Clive Honey (0-23-5) and a fighting spirit in the field and behind the stumps with Mark Wright, things still ended in a loss in the 40th over. Overall totals Boxted 200 for 2, GB&T 201 for 2 off 39.2 overs.

24th May - Lexden Vs Boxted

With Boxted looking for their first win of the season away at Lexden things started well with us winning the toss and electing to field on what was a hot clear day.

The opening pair of Rob Nutter and Matt Francis (2-19-10) did a perfect job holding back Lexdens score to a very promising 34 from 15. Rob Nutter’s eventual figures were 3-30-10 and were very much deserved with a 10 over spell in hot draining weather. Likewise Matt produced the best figures of the day. Sunny Patel (0-70-10) took the first bowling change from a long period away and kept the pressure up with Justin Hainsworth having very economical figures also of 0-28-5. Clive Honey (0-35-5) and Andrew Wilson (1-30-5) joined the party with some fantastic bowling by Andrew restraining Lexden to an overall score of 216. It should also be noted Mark Wrights fantastic effort behind the stumps only allowing 5 byes / leg byes during the whole innings

With Clive Honey (20) and Justin Hainsworth (75) opening the batting things were running well with Boxted scoring 54 off 14 over’s with no loss of wicket. Unfortunately Clive eventually was dismissed LBW for a well constructed 20. Sunny Patel (23) then entered and did a fantastic job with Justin scoring at the required run rate. By over 28 Boxted scored 124 with unfortunately the dismissal of Sunny clean bowled. Justin was still scoring extremely well however with a lack of a full team and moderate batting by the tail enders, Boxted were all out for 148 from 36 over’s. Justin Hainsworths batting through the innings was without doubt the backbone of Boxted’s attack on Lexdens score.

It was a fantastic effort by the whole team, and it was just unfortunate it ended in a loss. Final scores Boxted 148 for 8 Lexden 216 for 6.

31st May - Boxted Vs Braintree College

Boxted’s third game (4th - Ed) of the season saw us still without a win and looking to start the season off against Braintree College, a team who were promoted in 2008. Boxted won the toss and elected to bat first considering the hot and humid weather conditions.

Opening batters Clive and Justin started slowly managing to score only 15 from the first 7 over’s. Justin was then caught behind for a score of 7 in the 8th over with Sylvester also losing his wicket in the 11th over for a score of 2. Things remained slow with Tim and Clive scoring on average 3 runs an over resulting in a score of only 68 from 23. Things weren’t looking promising for a target worthy of a defence. However with Clive and Tim playing themselves in, on the 27th over things turned for Boxted and both batters went all out attack, playing some delightful shots all round the ground. In the subsequent 10 over’s Clive and Tim managed to put on a superb 130. Clive then was unfortunately out LBW on a fantastically worked 50. Matt Francis then strolled to the crease with a view to carrying on the good work, and he didn’t disappoint. Not wanting to be out done by the last surge of runs Matt with Tim at the other end put a further 100 runs on the score from only 8 over’s.

Perfect batting by Matt (49NO) and a good strategy by Clive played an enormous part of Boxted’s 270 for 3 final score, however the innings goes to Tim for a sublime piece of batting to eventually score 137 NO. Great Job!

With a score defiantly worthy of a defence however with the knowledge that it could be beaten, Boxted headed out knowing the bowling had to be spot on and fielding alert and committed. With the use of only 4 bowlers through Braintree Colleges innings things were tuff for Andrew, Sylvester, Justin and Matt. What resulted was a fantastic attack and some good fielding. Wickets fell gradually through the innings at over’s 10, 14, 16, 20, 21, 21, 28, 30 and 36. Final figures were Sylvester (0-27-8), Justin (3-60-10) and Matt (2-36-10). However the bowling by Andrew who managed to take 4 wickets played a key role in the win and was mature and well constructed, eventually going for 4-62-9.2.

Overall it was a game we needed to win and the effort by the entire team meant we got the victory we deserved. Final score Boxted 270-3, Braintree College 185-10.

14th June - Purleigh Vs Boxted

Boxted’s first game after a weekend off saw them away at Purleigh. Hambo won the toss and elected to bat on what was another perfect day for cricket.

With regards to batting not much to report; Clive managed a fantastic 45 over innings not out for a score of 66 and Bello out for a well constructed score of 54. All remaining batters managed either a score of 0, 1 or 2! Graham; not out on 2 and Clive saw the 45 out to ensure Purleigh didn’t claim any additional overs. Boxted’s final score; 143 for 9.

Boxted having only 143 to protect went out with a positive frame of mind. Things began poorly with Purleigh managing 50 runs from the first 11 over’s, a run rate within what they required. Matt F (0-29-5) at this point bowled very well managing maidens and single run over’s, however lacking a wicket. Matt W, the remaining opener then stepped up a gear to claim the first wicket on the 12th over. Justin (1-32-4) and Macca (2-35-9.3) then replaced the openers and joined in the party both securing wickets during the 15th and 16th over respectively. With some good fielding by Boxted over the next 8 over’s and the securing of a 5th wicket by Andrew (1-13-3); who again bowled very well in the 26th over, Boxted were getting into the swing of things.

Unfortunately the score required was too small and Purleigh secured the victory in the 28th over. A good team effort by Boxted ensured some points were gained from

21st June - Boxted Vs Little Clacton

Boxted’s Division 3 weekend game was home against Little Clacton, only the 2nd of the season. It started with Hambo losing the toss and being elected to bat first.

Things got off to a quicker start than normal with Clive and Steve at the crease. Regular and constant scoring produced 50 from the first 14 over’s. The 15th over saw Steve out caught behind from a very slight edge for 21. A further 11 runs were scored before the fall of the 2nd and 3rd wicket in the 18th and 19th over, Sylvester out; caught; for a score of 5 and Clive caught; for a score of 19. Up to the crease came Will and Pat, both players who hadn’t seen a cricket pitch let along a bat for a fair few months. With Will hitting a 6 to get onto the score sheet and Pat playing with a straight bat, this was a good indication of what was to come. Over the next 14 over’s both players played extremely well scoring freely managing to boost the runs total to 155 from 33 over’s; something resembling a defendable score. On the exit of Will for a fine total of 65 saw Shaun step up to the crease, unfortunately for a score of only 1. Paul Dowde then entered and was able to score more quick runs managing 16 from only 4 over’s. On the departure of both Pat and Dowde, Hambo and Graham stepped up to the crease, both seeing out the innings; Hambo doing particularly well scoring a well deserved 17 NO; a large boost to his confidence. Final score 211 for 7.

After tea Boxted went out to defend their innings score starting with Sylvester and Dowde. Both players bowled extremely well in both spells; Sylvester managing 2-33-9, and Dowde managing 0-40-10. Both ensured Little Clacton were below their required run rate at the 15 over mark. A first change over Andrew (1-49-4) and Pat (1-53-10) came on continuing to build the pressure ensuring little Clacton weren’t quite able to reach their required run rate. To finish off the bowling, both Clive (1-7-2.1) and Shaun (0-21-4) came on and continued to show good commitment; unfortunately with the score book not filled in, not much more can be said except the loss of a very close game in the 41st over.

Final game score; Little Clacton win by 5 wickets after reaching 213 in the 41.1st over.

Boxted V Gt Braxted and Tiptree –Sunday 28th June

New reporter this week so please bear with me!

On a hot sultry Sunday afternoon skipper Hamblion “won” the toss and with backing from some senior players elected to make use of the facilities first. (Ok, sorry lads I lied – great effort in the heat!)

Having been asked to bat Gt. Braxted and Tiptree set about their task. The evergreen McKnight bowled a very tight opening spell, assisted by the youthful Rob Nutter (10-0-63-1) who claimed the first wicket in his 2nd over. The first of 2 catches taken by Steve Philpott (good advice re. Positioning fielder Macca).

Richard Cutter (7-0 42-2) came on at first change and bowled a terrific opening spell taking 2 wickets in his first 6 overs, bowling out the dangerous Lamb and another out to a magnificent catch by wicket keeper Mark Lawrence.

Sunny Patel (10-1-48-1), was playing his 2nd game of the season and is beginning to regain him form.

James Purser (3-0-30-0), made his Club debut and found out early the high standard of batting that is delivered each week.

It was then left to the “young” pairing of Honey (5-0-33-1) and McKnight (the magnificent figures of 10-1-28-3) to complete the innings.

Gt Braxted and Tiptree set us a target of 250, the skipper Stuart Hummerstone scoring 90.

Boxted began their reply strongly with the experienced pairing of Phylis (34) and Clive (42), accumulating 90 off 21 overs for the loss of the 1st wicket.

Sunny (18) showed promise. Will Steinman (0) will be disappointed having had 2 recent high scores. Richard Cutter (1) put on 20 with Macca and occupied the crease well. Hamblion (25 including a 6, the first for over 20 years!), joined Macca (56 NO). Macca, great all round game – keep it up!

Jack Thorndike (3), who had fielded well, then entered the fray nearly hitting a 6 with his 1st ball! Mark Lawrence (0 NO) was the last batsman to partner Macca and with 2 balls to go showed his promise taking a quick leg bye despite having a very bruised hand.

We unfortunately fell short of the target by 26 runs finishing on 224 -7. A great effort again.

Thanks to the opposition scorer Dave Lamming for a first class job of the scorebooks.

Footnote: If we can tighten up our bowling, field hard, take our catches and continue batting to a high level our results should start to improve.

BOXTED 2ND X1 V GT. HORKESLEY HOME FIXTURE 4.07.09

We welcomed an in form Gt. Horkesley team to Cage Lane on a very hot day.

For once having won the toss Hambo decided to bat first, bearing in mind the very strong batting line up available. The increasingly reliable experienced pairing of Clive & Phylis got us off to our best start of the season with 109 runs in 23overs, Phylis (43) was the first to depart. Clive (62) was the next bat out magnificently caught one handed by the diving Naveed, his first major contribution to the game more to come. Richard Springett made a welcome return to the 2nd x1 and hit a fluent 31 putting on 52 runs with the back in-form Will Stairmand (37).At this stage set at 150 for 2 off approx. 30 overs a big score looked probable. Enter opposition debutant Naveed who bowled a bit. He did that alright producing some of the quickest bowling seen for some time restricting our scoring rate. Justin Hainsworth (9) was a brave effort after being hit.Chris HARDEN made a welcome return to the club hitting a couple of classy shots for 4 only to be run out for(9).Ed Kurshunlija (hope I spelt it right) enjoyed his enthusiastic debut (9) runs also run out. Enter Hambo for a last over thrash only to depart first ball! Maca 7 not out & Mark Lawrence 1 not out saw us set a below par target of 233 for 8.

Horkesley then opened their innings with a make-shift pairing and were reduced to 23 for 2 lulling us into a false sense of security. Enter debutant Naveed and wkt/kpr Sheen(55) who put on 133 together.Naveed then went on scoring his hundred out of 183 runs on the board and was finally well caught by Justin Hainsworth on mid-wkt.boundary for 144 runs not bad on your début. Our target was finally past in the 39th over resulting in a 6 wkts win for Gt. Horks.

Good performances from top scorer Clive including his first 50 inside 17 overs and a competent bowling spell from the returning Chris Harden against high calibre batting.

Boxted 2nd XI v. Abberton 2nd XI 05.07.09

On another hot day Abberton won the toss and elected to bat first. First wicket down was caught by Hambo off Maca at 27 for 1. Second wicket soon followed opener Cowland LBW to Maca 29 for 2. We were soon in dream land restricting Abberton to 41 for 3 with Huxley magnificently caught by the agile Honey off the bowling of the improving Rob Nutter. This brought the experienced Rudlin (88) and Trissler (84 not out) together and they rescued the innings with a partnership of 165. The partnership was finally broken with a catch in the deep by Tom Arculus off Clive. Maca then went on to remove 2 batsmen in succession just failing on his hat-trick. Maca was not to be out done by bowling his 5th Abberton batsman gaining figures of 10.4.24.5. Not bad for an olden! Maca was well supported on the bowling front by home debutant Craig Gledhill and the battling Justin Rishworth and Bello. Abberton finished their innings on 250 for 7. A good effort in the field by everybody especially the hard working Jack Thorndike.

After yet another high quality tea by Hazel and Jackie we began our reply with an opening partnership of 39 between Rishy (17) and Clive. Clive (18) was the 2nd wicket to fall at 62. Maca (56…which proves there is still life in the old dog yet ) then put on 107 with Will Stairmand taking us to 169 for 3. Will was then joined by the returning holiday-maker Bello (33) and added 79 to take us on to the brink of victory at 248 for 3. Will was finally out for an outstanding 106 (including 4 sixes and 11 fours)… a match winning innings! Bello then saw us over the winning line, hitting an off-side 4 to win the match to the delight of team mates and supporters.

A great victory for us which will hopefully go a long way to seeing our survival in this division.