TC4 Match rpts

2nd May Woolpit Vs Boxted – Woolpit 151-7, Boxted 153-2, Boxted won by 8 wickets

Woolpit, elected to bat, and were soon in trouble as Mike Booker 2-14 off 11 had them completely tied up at one end. Both his wickets came from catches, one by himself and the other from debutant Chris Chitterborough. Runs continued to be hard to come by as accurate bowling was backed up excellent ground fielding. The 3rd wicket fell in the 31st over with the score 79 to Ian Evans as Ed Whybrow eventually held an easy catch. Two more quick wickets fell, with Evans getting a caught & bowled and Rohan Khaira an excellent direct hit for a run-out. Eventually Woolpit tried to accelerate, but with Evans 2-38 from 12 and Paul Harris claiming 2 clean bowled in his 2-33 from 7, the total was kept to a very manageable 151-7.

In reply Evans and skipper Chris Wilson 21 took the score quickly to 50 before Wilson was deceived and clean bowled. The introduction of star batter Ed Whybrow pushed the run-rate along further with the 100 passed in the 19th over as another 56 were added before Whybrow departed for 32. Evans now joined by Khaira was now ticking along smoothly and eventually reached his half-century and remained unbeaten with 68 whilst Khaira effortlessly had reached 18 when victory was reached in the 29th over for a comprehensive victory.

4th May Boxted Vs Copdock & OI – Boxted 189 all-out, Copdock 190-6, Copdock won by 4 wickets.

Inserted on a damp wicket with drizzle in the air, Boxted lost a wicket in the first over and were soon in deep trouble at 32-4 in the 13th over. As conditions started to improve Tim Bellamy 23 & Mike Pearce 20 started to play an array of shots, in putting together a useful stand of 42, with both benefitting from dropped chances. Both departed caught in the deep in the over after drinks and when Jon Wilson also went for a quick 14, we were back in trouble at 102-7. Matty Francis 33 and Paul Harris 34 not out then put together a stand worth 69 with a mixture of big blows and sensible pushes, and although wickets tumbled at the end a score of 189 all-out in the last over was a good battling performance.

We needed quick wickets, but Copdock started very well, with only Jon Wilson proving any threat early on. Francis made the breakthrough as Evans held an easy chance, but it was not until Evans and then Michael Dell bowled in tandem, that the run-rate slowed. When Evans took the second wicket the score was already 127 in the 24th over. By now Mike Pearce had entered the attacked and claimed 2 wickets in an over as firstly “Village” departed for a duck caught by Evans and then a fine catch by Jon Wilson removed the other opener to leave the score 129-4. Tight bowling by Evans & Pearce reduced the scoring rate, but it was not until Harris came into the attack that the 5th wicket fell as Evans held his 3rd & best catch of the innings at long off. The returning Wilson finally got the wicket he deserved, but no further success followed as Copdock reached their target in the 42nd over, despite a good effort by everyone in the field.

9th May Boxted Vs Long Melford – Long Melford 270-5, Boxted 158 all-out, Long Melford won by 112 runs

Inserted the visitors made steady progress against especially tight bowling from Mike Booker (0-46 from 15), who was very unlucky to have an easy catch spilled early on. From there on in, it was a steady decline as the run-rate slowly increased, as half chances were not taken. Eventually Ian Evans 2-53 from 12) removed both openers, one bowled the other LBW to leave them 89-2. From this steady base Melford attacked, and runs started to come at an alarming rate as several chances again were not taken. Matty Francis claimed an LBW, but momentum just increased, even when the returning Jon Wilson (2-73 from 8) claimed 2 wickets in an over, one to an actual catch by Matt Wilson. A final total of 270-5 was probably some 50 runs more than should have been allowed.

In reply Boxted openers Evans & Justin Rishworth needed to get the innings off to a good start, if we were to have any sniff of victory. Riding their luck they put together a stand of 110 in 22 overs before a rush of blood saw Evans stumped for 45. Another wicket followed next ball, but then skipper Chris Wilson 17 added a subdued 17 with Rishworth to take the total to 140, before even by Boxted standards an almighty collapse followed to leave us all-out for 158, with Rishworth out for a fine 63. Of the remaining batsmen Francis made 10 and there were 4 ducks.

16th May Wivenhoe Vs Boxted – Boxted 180-8, Wivenhoe 184-3, Wivenhoe won by 7 wicktets

Boxted chose to bat on a poor looking surface which was soon confirmed as almost immediately deliveries started to keep low. Skipper Chris Wilson departed with the score at 20, and this brought Ed Whybrow to join Ian Evans at the crease. Whybrow after some early luck was soon at his fluent best whilst Evans managed to keep out the grubbers and accumulate slowly. The pair added 105 before Evans was out for 33 and soon after Whybrow for a run a ball 72. The hopeful acceleration never materialised and wickets tumbled on the tricky surface as only Matt Low with 22 not out looked comfortable. A final total of 180-8 looked a useful effort though.

Wivenhoe started briskly, but lost a wicket in the 4th over with the score already 30, as Wilson held a catch in the deep off Mike Booker. The strong looking batting line-up prospered against our attack, but rode their luck with a number of edges not falling to hand, but unfortunately a number of half chances were also put down. Booker 1-40 off 11 bowled well as did Evans 0-36 off 10. It was golden arm Mike Pearce who made the breakthrough with the score at 155, as Wilson took another catch in the deep, to dismiss the opener on 96. Another flurry of dropped chances followed and a final wicket with the scores level as well as Mathew Francis got a shooter on target. A disappointing catching effort saw us to defeat and now 3rd bottom in the table.

23rd May Boxted Vs Copford – Copford 290-8, Boxted 163 all-out, Copford won by 127 runs

Copford chose to bat & reached 50 in only the 7th over before both openers were dismissed by bowlers Steven Sestak & Mike Booker (1-70 off 15), with catches taken by Justin Rishworth and a fine effort at point by Sestak. The next wicket fell at 67 when Sestak claimed his 2nd well caught this time by Booker. From there on in the visitors were untroubled and progressed quickly. Rohan Khaira took a fine caught & bowled and the returning Sestak claimed 2 late wickets to finish with 4-80 from 12 in his first game for a couple of seasons. Ian Evans with wickets off successive balls in the 44th over finished with 2-89 from 13. The final total of 290-8 was an imposing one.

Boxted needed a good start, and Evans hit 3 early boundaries to give us brief hope, but wickets went far too quickly with only Khaira 22 looking in touch. Soon we were 69-4 and effectively out of the match. Evans 55 dug in with Sestak 19 adding 54 before both were dismissed with the score on 123. Only Mathew Francis 17* produced anything more and we were soon all-out for a poor 163 to lose by 127 runs

25th May Earls Colne Vs Boxted – Boxted 162 all-out, Earls Colne 163-6, Earls Colne won by 4 wickets

Boxted elected to bat as Ian Evans 19 & Chris Wilson 20, pounced on anything wayward in the helpful conditions before Wilson was caught in the deep. A flurry of wickets including Evans unlucky to be caught off a deflection from cover to mid-off saw us slump to 50-4. A stand of 60 between Rohan Khaira 33 and Mike Pearce 44 threatened to put us in charge, but both fell to hard hitting shots. Rejuvenated Matty Franics (with the bat anyway) carried on his recent good form with 26, before more quick wickets saw us 153-9 in the 36th over. With the threat of giving away up to 8 overs Boxted’s own Boycott twins (Matt Wilson 4* and Mike Dell 1 defended for all their worth and were not parted until the 44th over with the total 162. At least we could now go and start tea (some had been ready for 20 minutes or more).

Earls Colne making batting at least looking a lot easier lost their first wicket with the score 28 as Booker bowled the opener round his legs. A stand then of 50 was broken by an Evans LBW. Jon Wilson soon claimed a 3rd caught by Matt Wilson, but Earls Colne kept well on course even as the rain started to fall. Evans (2-33 off 12) eventually claimed his 2nd LBW although convinced of several more and as the rain fell by now close to tropical proportions (very slight exaggeration) Booker claimed one caught by Chris Wilson. The umpires then talked, obviously not about the rain as we stayed on as the game was apparently in the balance despite the home side poised for victory only a few runs short. In the increasingly slippery conditions Chris Wilson held another catch off Booker (3-58), and there was still time for the bar of soap to be dropped twice before victory was claimed by the hosts by 4 wickets in the 38th over. At least now we could all get in the dry.

30th May Tuddenham Vs Boxted – Boxted 276-6, Tuddenham 205-9, Boxted won by 71 runs

Acting Skipper Ian Evans elected to bat on a dry powdery looking wicket which was to play tricks for most of the game. Runs though were scored against some wayward early bowling although the loss of Justin Rishworth 10 & Ed Whybrow 14 left us 61-2. Evans who had been accumulating well was joined Rohan Khaira who was still looking for his first 50 of the season. The pair soon got on top of the change bowlers and pounced on anything over-pitched or short whilst playing the rare good length ball carefully. The short boundaries were peppered regularly. They soon both passed 50 and took the total up and beyond 200, as they each raced towards their respective centuries. Evans just got their first soon followed by Khaira, before both gave their wickets away with run-outs. Evans for 108 (1 six) and Khaira for 114 (5 sixes). The pair had added a club record 195 for the 3rd wicket. Mike Pearce with a quick 12 in the last over took us to a very good 276-6.

Tight opening spells from Mike Booker and Jon Wilson soon put the hosts behind the run-rate. The pressure especially in the field with Graham Dell & Jon Freshwater outstanding, forced a couple of big hits & Booker claimed 2 wickets through catches by the centurions. Matty Francis bowled an initial tight spell, and with Booker claiming another 2 wickets off successive deliveries one to a catch behind from the impressive Mark Wright (0 byes), the game was all but won, although briefly to their credit a quick run-spurt closed the run-rate for a few overs. Evans chipped in with a couple of wickets one well caught by Booker and Khaira claimed one caught in the deep by Evans. As Tuddenham closed in on 200, the only issue was could Boxted bowl them out to claim the full points. Booker returned to the attack and soon claimed his 5th and 6th wickets including another catch to Wright to finish with 6-56, but even with magic arm Pearce tried the last wicket would not fall as we ran out comfortable 71 run victors.

6th June – Boxted Vs Coggeshall – Coggeshall 216-7, Boxted 114 all-out, Coggeshall won by 112 runs

The visitors elected to bat, but for once didn’t race away as the wicket with some extra bounce kept most batsmen honest. Mike Booker soon claimed the first wicket caught behind by Mark Wright. Consistent scoring enabled Coggeshall to post a useful, if not formidable total of 217-7, this despite a good bowling display backed up another good fielding performance. Ian Evans 3-54 from 15 kept things in check with Booker 2-70 from 14 also doing well. Paul Harris was unlucky not to get any reward. The other wickets fell to Justin Hainsworth and a run-out off the last ball of the innings. Matty Francis and Mike Pearce both took good catches off Evans.

In reply our innings was soon in tatters at 20-5 which included 4 ducks as the top order failed to cope with accurate bowling and some extra bounce in the wicket, which made batting difficult, but far from impossible. A stand of 65 between Ed Whybrow 63 and Francis 17 brought a little respectability and a brief 10 from Jon Wilson at least enabled a batting point before we were all-out for 114 to be well beaten.

13th June – Ipswich Vs Boxted – Boxted 218-9, Ipswich 212-9, Boxted won by 6 runs

Boxted batted first and made a steady start as Skipper Ian Evans and Justin Rishworth 15 added 61 for the first wicket in 15 overs helped by a fair number of extras. Ed Whybrow joined his skipper and the pair accelerated well taking the total to 136 before Evans 52 and Whybrow 41 were dismissed in successive deliveries. The innings slowed and a couple of more wickets fell before a useful stand of 43 for the 6th wicket took us to the brink of 200 as Mike Booker 29 and Mike Pearce 23 kept things ticking over. A brief 11 from Matty Francis took us to a challenging final total of 218-9.

In reply despite the loss of an early wicket to the Booker, Mark Wright combination the home side made a solid start. The 2nd wicket fell at 44 when the persevering Paul Harris was finally rewarded as Rohan Khaira took a fine catch. The introduction of Evans kept things tight at one end, but runs flowed at the other. A wicket straight after drinks made it 91-3 as Francis judged a lofted ball off Khaira, but Ipswich accelerated well until the introduction of the experienced Francis finally enabled Boxted to gain some control at both ends. The turning point being a fine catch by Jon Wilson off Francis to remove the dangerous opener for 85 at 141. Soon Evans trapped his man right in front, and then Mark Wright clung on to a fine catch of Francis. Evans responded with his 2nd wicket as Wilson held a firm drive before Francis claimed his 3rd wicket to leave Ipswich 171-8 off 39 overs. A brief flurry took the total to 196 before Evans claimed his 3rd in the 44th over to a well judged stumping by Wright to finish with 3-51 off 15. The final over Ipswich required 18 to win, but Francis kept his cool as we ran out 6 runs victors. Francis finished with 3-55 off 10. An excellent team performance in the field undoubtedly being the difference between the two sides.

20th June – Boxted Vs Halstead – Boxted 200-8, Halstead 19-0, Match Abandoned

Boxted inserted on a rain freshened surface lost a wicket 4th ball, but Ian Evans 21 and Justin Rishworth 19 batted sensibly to take the score to 37 before Rishworth was out. Runs kept coming at a decent rate, but wickets also tumbled with Rohan Khaira 19 and Mike Pearce 20 also getting in, but unable to go on. Added to that 2 first ball ducks and we were in a bit of a trouble at 103-7 when the next rain shower interrupted play. After the stoppage Mike Booker 57* and Matt Wilson put together a good stand which was again interrupted by rain with less than 4 overs of the 40 to go. An early tea was taken and afterwards we finished our innings, with the 8th wicket pair equalling the club record of 76 before Wilson was out. Booker completed his 4th half century of the season and a final total of 200-8 off 40 overs was a good effort.

With heavy clouds on the horizon Boxted bowled on a track that was drying out nicely and quite bowler friendly. Only 5 overs were possible before the rains called the game off, but in that time Booker was unplayable and had a catch dropped and the experienced Mathew Francis after a friendly first over was also in good form.

27th June – Ipswich & ES Vs Boxted – Boxted 227-4, Ipswich & ES 223-9, Boxted won by 4 runs

Boxted chose to bat and after a careful start Ian Evans 31 and Chris Wilson 48 ticked the board over nicely, until Evans was unluckily caught from a ricochet off the keepers shoulder to slip with the score at 50 in the 13th over. Ed Whybrow 16 joined the skipper and took the score to 88 before Ed was well caught in the deep off the first ball after drinks. Rohan Khaira joined the skipper who eventually departed after a determined innings with the score at 112 in the 28th over. Now the innings slowly started to accelerate as Khaira and Pat Gilbert put together a stand worth 102 as both players skilfully found the gaps. Both batsmen reached their half centuries, in Pat’s case his first at this level, before Rohan was out shortly before the end. A final total of 227-4 was a good effort.

The home side made a good start despite an excellent 15 over spell from Paul Harris (1-43). Runs kept coming though despite a good short spell from the experienced Mathew Francis. Riding their luck the opening pair took their stand past 100 before the persevering Harris made the breakthrough in his 14th over with the score at 111 as Khaira held onto a good catch in the deep. Khaira then made the next breakthrough as Whybrow held a sharp catch. Evans who had changed ends then clean bowled the next and when Jon Wilson held a good effort at long off, off Khaira the score was 143-4 after 34 overs. With Evans (1-69 off 13) & Khaira (4-62 off 9) bowling the rate slowly increased, but a few big hits threatend the game as the score passed 200 with 3 overs to go until Khaira got his revenge and claimed 2 more wickets one caught by Mark Wright to leave the home side needing 12 to win off the final over to be bowled by Evans. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th deliveries produced a hatrick of run-outs by Evans himself, Khaira & Whybrow. Six were needed off the last ball, but only one was scored, and a vital 19 points secured.

4th July – Copdock Vs Boxted – Boxted 168 all-out, Copdock 171-3, Copdock won by 7 wickets

Electing to bat again, Boxted initially made a good start as skipper Chris Wilson 22 and Ian Evans 31 added 47 for the first wicket. However a mini collapse saw us in deep trouble and from there on in, a succession of batsmen got themselves in (Pat Gilbert 17, Mike Pearce 12, Jon Wilson 15 being the best), and then got themselves out. The only exception being a mature innings of 36 not out from Justin Rishworth which enabled a total of 168 all-out to be reached in the 44th over.

Despite an early wicket from the first delivery bowled from Paul Harris caught well by Jon Wilson, Copdock put together a century stand for the 2nd wicket. Early spells by Gilbert (0-21 from 7) and Harris (1-43 from 9) could easily on another day brought a wicket or two more each, but runs were scored comfortably from there on in, despite the skipper rotating his bowlers. Just before the end Matt Wilson dismissed both set batsmen in the same over, firstly to a caught & bowled and then to another catch by brother Jon, which was well judged on the boundary to finish with 2-7 from 3 overs. Heavy defeat soon followed, and made worse as the bottom 3 sides below us all won, dragging us back towards the relegation fight.