SKIPPER John Manning was philosophical after Mistley had missed out on a potential trip to Lord’s in the final of the Persimmon National Village Knock-Out competition.
“Despite the fact that we lost, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day – and a good night as well. They were a really lovely bunch of guys and they stayed around for a drink afterwards.
“Good luck to them in the semi-finals.”
His words of good cheer were directed at Sussex opponents Rottingdean, who secured a 13-run win at New Road in Sunday’s quarter-final contest, but they were tinged with disappointment, too.
“Unfortunately we didn’t really turn up for the second half. We were always in it but just didn’t bat well enough.”
The visitors, who turned up with a couple of coachloads of supporters to swell the crowd to 150+, had got off to a flyer as Najmus Jamil (40) and skipper Henry Ledden (30) put on 80 for the first wicket.
Manning (one for 19) and Paul Garwood (three for 25) then put the brake on as they bowled their 18 overs for just 44 runs.
Sam Shepherd hit a six and two fours in his 29 not out to lift the final 40-over total to 173 for eight.
“I thought to keep them down to that score was a pretty good effort,” said Manning.
The home team’s confidence was jolted as the top three of their order were all clean bowled and they slipped to 60 for five.
But then Manning was joined by Matt Bibby, who has proved to be a great finisher in earlier rounds. They added 58 and the run rate was down to a run-a-ball, before both were dismissed for 28.
Stuart Dove added 27, but then he ran himself out. The last couple of wickets fell with 13 runs needed and nine balls still to go.
“We were always in it until that last wicket fell,” said Manning.
He added that he announced on Saturday night that he has decided to stand down as Mistley’s Saturday captain next season, but he would like to continue in charge of the Village competition.
“It was our first time in the tournament and it was a great experience. The club benefited from it and I’d like to be firmly involved in it again next year.”
In Division One of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship the top four teams all recorded maximum point wins to leave the situation at the top of the table unchanged.
Wivenhoe remain seven points clear of Mildenhall, with Frinton and Copdock & OIs vainly hoping for the top two to slip up.
Woolpit travelled to Wivenhoe without the league’s leading scorer Andy Northcote, who was playing for Italy in the final of the ICC European Division One Twenty20 competition in Jersey.
Northcote top-scored with 38, but when he was out the Italians collapsed as they lost their last six wickets for just 16 runs to end up 83 all out.
Denmark were made to work hard for their win, but got home by six wickets.
At Wivenhoe, meanwhile, Olly Whiteman (45) and Joe Crame (36) did well for Woolpit to help them reach 161 all out. But Nathan Rabnott continued his good form with an unbeaten 74 to carry his team to a three-wicket win, despite Will Parker grabbing three for 43.
AJ Warrich picked up three early wickets for Mildenhall to reduce Abberton to 10 for three. Wickets continued to fall regularly and Abberton were bowled out for just 67, Warrich finishing with five for 23, Joe Reed three for five and James Holmes two for 18.
Richard Moxon was the only Abberton batsman to reach double figures, scoring 39.
In reply Tom Westley scored a quickfire 35 and Ben Shepperson finished the job off with 20 not out for an eight-wicket win with more than 50 overs remaining.
Rob Horrex scored 74 and Tim Milner claimed six for 41 as Lakenheath beat East Bergholt by 43 runs to remain clear at the top of Division Two. Easton are their closest rivals, adding a 37-run win over Braintree after 89 from Alan Barker and 50 from Richard Croney.
Worlington’s batsmen enjoyed the weekend, clocking up the top two team totals, the best individual score and the biggest win of the weekend between them.
Jimmy Watson led the way with 166 as Worlington’s First XI rattled up 321 for three at Stowmarket. Graham Ford backed him up with 118 and then the home team were bowled out for 180 for a 141-run win that improved their chances of taking the Division Three title.
Indeed, closest rivals Mildenhall II fell two points further adrift as they could only take 18 points from their 77-run win away to Bury II.
But Worlington II, who are top of Division Nine, had an even better win as they scored 370 for six, with Barney Bowens scoring 118 plus 85 from Jonno Peachey and 63 from Ian Roberts for a total of 370 for six against West Bergholt. When the visitors were put out for just 75 the margin of victory was an enormous 295 runs.
Brockley did not have such a good weekend – the First XI lost by one wicket to Elmstead Market in Division Two, and the Seconds were skittled for 64 to lose by nine wickets away to Coggeshall III in Division Eight. Elmstead’s Aiden O’Brien (17 not out) scored the four runs required when he was joined by last man Michael Burle.
Andrew McDonald had the best bowling figures of six for 21 for St Margarets II against Maldon III, just getting the better of Tom Pickles who claimed six for 22 for Coggeshall II against Clacton II.
Jack Lord scored his maiden century to lead Melton St Audry’s from 41 for four to beat Copford II by 86 runs in Division Six.
He hit 10 fours and five sixes in his 124 and added 184 for the fifth wicket with Matt Jackson (60).
Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship
Division One
Exning 107. *Frinton 111 for 1. Frinton (20) bt Exning (1) by 9 wkts.
Coggeshall 142 for 9 (R Jagger 48, A Stockton 20, R Singh 4 for 28, A Phillips 4 for 41). *Haverhill 126 (B Moran 39, D Poole 30, W Blackwell 6 for 30, R Lees 3 for 18). Coggeshall (20) bt Haverhill (6) by 16 runs.
*Maldon 99 (C Harris 23, A Nel 5 for 23). Copdock & OIs 102 for 2 (A Gravell 50no, A Nel 30no). Copdock (20) bt Maldon (1) by 8 wkts.
Abberton 67 (R Moxon 39, A Warraich 5 for 23, J Reed 3 for 5. *Mildenhall 69 for 2 (T Westley 35, B Shepperson 20). Mildenhall (20) bt Abberton (1) by 8 wkts.
Woolpit 161 (O Whiteman 45, N Crame 36, M Durrell 5 for 32, H Burnett 5 for 44). *Wivenhoe 162 for 7 (N Rabnott 74no, B Godleman 22, T Harwood 20, W Parker 3 for 43). Wivenhoe (20) bt Woolpit (6) by 3 wkts.
*Mistley 218. Ipswich 220 for 7. Ipswich (20) bt Mistley (8) by 3 wkts.
Division Two
*Brockley 111 (P Kearney 41, R Jones 28, D White 4 for 24, P Gates 3 for 19). Elmstead Grasshoppers 113 for 9 (D Sargeant 33, D White 23, D Sykes 5 for 40). Elmstead (20) bt Brockley (5) by 1 wkt.
*Easton 213 for 5 (A Barker 89, R Croney 50). Braintree 176 (B Stephens 32, C Leech 32, W Mitchell 4 for 58, T Bosher 3 for 28). Easton (20) bt Braintree (6) by 37 runs.
*Lakenheath 214 for 9 (Rob Horrex 74, M Reeve 39, Rich Horrex 25, J Willsher 4 for 56, N Philpot 4 for 70). East Bergholt 171 (D McGrath 65, N Foster 27, T Milner 6 for 41). Lakenheath (20) bt East Bergholt (7) by 43 runs.
*Witham 145 (J Suett 50, L Facey 31, R Green 21, J Barker 5 for 51). Ipswich & East Suffolk 149 for 8 (R Glassford 44, K Mildenhall 23, J Chick 3 for 20). IES (20) bt Witham (6) by 2 wkts.
*Dunmow 193 for 7. Brightlingsea 182. Dunmow (20) bt Brightlingsea (7) by 11 runs.
Hadleigh 208. *Woodbridge & OWs 177. Hadleigh (20) bt Woodbridge (9) by 31 runs.
Division Three
Clacton II 142 (L Kirk 62, D Fitzpatrick 36, T Pickles 6 for 22). *Coggeshall II 143 for 2 (M Hart 60no, A Robinson 48no). Coggeshall II (20) bt Clacton II (3) by 8 wkts.
*Kelvedon & Feering 184 (J Baker 64, S Warner 42, P Ahearn 28, R Measor 5 for 57). Copford 187 for 5 (J Bell 65, K Sargeant 33, C Reid 30, G Northover 20no, E Smith 3 for 38). Copford (20) bt Kelvedon (6) by 5 wkts.
Sudbury II 270 for 8 (W Shropshire 70 ret, J Poulson 63, C Walters 56, T Shahid 4 for 67, J Tooley 3 for 80). *Felixstowe 130 (M Smith 42, R Cresswell 20, J Backler 5 for 29, B Moulton Day 4 for 33). Sudbury II (20) bt Felixstowe (6) by 140 runs.
Halstead II 182 for 5 (P Cooper 89no, S Steel 49, P Gray 4 for 36). *Little Bardfield Village 140 (M Welby 35, D Hymas 26, C Roper 4 for 46). Halstead II (20) bt Bardfield (4) by 42 runs.
Worlington 321 for 3 (J Watson 166, G Ford 118, C Estlea 20no). *Stowmarket 180 (T Madayanake 64, A Hawes 46, J Wright 25, P Marston 5 for 46). Worlington (20) bt Stowmarket (5) by 141 runs.
Mildenhall II 256 for 6 (S Grinling 90, L Turner 63, J Moore 63no). *Bury St Edmunds II 179 for 7 (R Pineo 56, J Beaumont 4 for 30). Mildenhall II (18) bt Bury II (7) by 77 runs.
Division Four
Needham Market 163 (R Hill 65, J Matthews 27, J Wade 22, K Banham 4 for 46, D Shorten 3 for 13). *Copdock & OIs II 167 for 7 (D Shorten 57, J Green 29, G Underwood 24no, J Dye 3 for 34). Copdock II (20) bt Needham Market (6) by 3 wkts.
*Exning II 190 (S Readman 92, O Lawson 46, A Shufflebotham 5 for 45, J Silburn 4 for 42). St Margarets 131 (C Mutton 35, O Lawson 3 for 23, C Annis 3 for 30). Exning II (20) bt St Margarets (7) by 59 runs.
Yoxford 231 for 9 (B Vincent 112, A Cook 25, S Lincoln 24, D Cialini 22, D Hinsley 3 for 52). *Hadleigh II 206 for 9 (R Checketts 54, B Tampion 33, N Abdul 30, I Price 5 for 61). Yoxford (19) bt Hadleigh II (9) by 25 runs.
Mistley II 187 for 7 (M Churchill 48, S Barlow 44, H Parkes 31, D Goff 30, R Southall 4 for 43). *Ipswich II 153 for 9 (C Wright 63, J Scott 23, P Palmer 6 for 35). Mistley II (19) bt Ipswich II (6) by 34 runs.
*Ipswich & East Suffolk II 156 (K Howlett 46, D Allam 29no, P Budd 24, S Whitehart 4 for 50, B Byford 3 for 15). Long Melford 159 for 6 (G Boon 36no, N Wright 31, S Hale 22, M Holt 20no, N Pryke 3 for 34). Long Melford (20) bt IES II (6) by 4 wkts.
Wivenhoe II 177 (J Wiseman 56, O Morgan 43, K Welsh 26, L Bodaragama 25, J Stringer 3 for 32, D Thompson 3 for 33, C Wishlade 3 for 51). *Woolpit II 178 for 5 (A Bullett 80no, M Eeles 36no, J Bradwell 32). Woolpit II (20) bt Wivenhoe II (6) by 5 wkts.
Division Five
*Abberton II 202 (M Johnson 67, S Elson 35, A Trussler 27, J King 4 for 41, T Potter 3 for 48). Kelvedon & Feering II 203 for 3 (R Burt 57, S King 39no, M Wilde 34, D Schofield 29no). Kelvedon II (20) bt Abberton II (6) by 7 wkts.
*Boxted 114 (R Khaira 38, I Evans 24, R Stockdale 4 for 16, S Plant 3 for 39). Frinton II 115 for 6 (J Hall 39, N Patel 24no, I Evans 3 for 20). Frinton II (20) bt Boxted (4) by 4 wkts.
*Earls Colne 102 (J Smith 27, D Harrington 23, J Sambrook 5 for 16). Witham II 106 for 2 (R Rainsley 42no, D Jenkinson 33). Witham II (20) bt Earls Colne (2) by 8 wkts.
Maldon II 192 for 9 (J Ellis 88no, J Raymond 21, S Fox 4 for 49). *Harwich & Dovercourt 193 for 7 (S Fox 45, W Poole 43no, A Bilton 39). Harwich (19) bt Maldon II (7) by 3 wkts.
Great Bromley 182 for 7 (C Perrin 77, R Lawson 52, L Chipchase 4 for 50). *Mildenhall III 185 for 5 (J Giffin 44, R Clark 43, S Hunt 39, L Handy 22no). Mildenhall III (18) bt Gt Bromley (6) by 5 wkts.
Bury St Edmunds III 145 for 9. *Brightlingsea II 146 for 6. Brightlingsea II (19) bt Bury St Edmunds III (5) by 4 wkts.
Division Six
*Braintree II 177 for 6 (R Jones 77, M Fullgrabe 21no, S Fox 3 for 55). Haverhill II 180 for 2 (S Hartshorn 78, P Jones 66). Haverhill II (18) bt Braintree II (5) by 8 wkts.
Melton St Audry’s 249 for 6 (J Lord 124, M Jackson 60). *Copford II 163 for 9 (M Seagrove 43no, W Merry 20, G Lea 3 for 22). Melton St Audry’s II (19) bt Copford II (6) by 86 runs.
*Elmstead Grasshoppers II 154 (J Sheekey 50, S Gregory 25, N Dennis 25, A Gale 4 for 39). Kesgrave 75 (S Read 20, C Green 5 for 14, A Tester 3 for 16). Elmstead II (20) bt Kesgrave (5) by 79 runs.
*Felixstowe Corinthians 150 (J Burrows 27, J Gibbs 26, P Culley 3 for 47). Ipswich III 154 for 7 (J Greig 49, P Culley 41no, N Radford 4 for 35). Ipswich III (20) bt Felixstowe Corinthians (6) by 3 wkts.
*Nacton 97 for 9 (A Brunt 23no, B Glading 21, T Harris 4 for 25). Tuddenham 98 for 7 (D Cross 45no, K Pryke 22). Tuddenham (19) bt Nacton (3) by 3 wkts.
Division Seven
Stowmarket II 179 for 7 (P Holborn 36, D Aldous 36, C Richardson 31, M Fairburn 3 for 40). *Ipswich IV 180 for 5 (P Mobbs 42no, B Connelly 40, C Johnson 33, D Aldous 3 for 47). Ipswich IV (18) bt Stowmarket II (6) by 5 wkts.
Halstead III 113 for 8 (S Tucker 23no, M Maxim 4 for 33). *Long Melford II 114 for 3 (C Cleverley 55, M Underwood 28). Long Melford II (19) bt Halstead III (2) by 7 wkts.
*Sudbury III 172 (J Coone 50, C Cook 37, B Richardson 33, A Clark 3 for 22, J Turner 3 for 31). Mildenhall IV 147 (M Thurston 24, A Francis 20, H Wright 6 for 33). Sudbury III (20) bt Mildenhall IV (7) by 25 runs.
*St Margarets II 180 (P Allen 47, N Schofield 41, A Storey 33, R Walpole 3 for 30, R Walpole 3 for 30, T Bache 3 for 38). Maldon III 73 (M Brooking 26, A McDonald 6 for 21). St Margarets II (20) bt Maldon III (5) by 107 runs.
*East Bergholt II 184 for 6. Felixstowe II 98. East Bergholt II (20) bt Felixstowe II (3) by 86 runs.
Division Eight
Brockley II 64 (N Willis 5 for 15). *Coggeshall III 65 for 1 (D Gibson 34no, R Gray 23no). Coggeshall III (20) bt Brockley II (0) by 9 wkts.
*DBSL 152 for 8 (M Clemence 51, J Rogers 32no, A Rudkin 3 for 57). Harwich & Dovercourt II 99 (A Rudkin 30, B Garnham 3 for 24). DBSL (20) bt Harwich II (4) by 53 runs.
Easton II 183 for 9 (A Bennett 81, J Sayer 40, S Bonvini 4 for 15). *Kelvedon & Feering III 167 (M Pope 31, P Yates 21). Easton II (20) bt Kelvedon III (7) by 16 runs.
*St Osyth 177 (C Vithanage 112, J Handscombe 24, S Starling 3 for 14, W Spain 3 for 54). Tendring 132 (S Starling 42, I Wilks 21, C Vithanage 5 for 32, J Handscombe 3 for 23). St Osyth (20) bt Tendring (7) by 45 runs.
Eye 223. *Witham III 96. Eye (20) bt Witham III (5) by 127 runs.
Division Nine
West Mersea 113 for 9 (J Tilsley 37, L Bruce 36, M Turner 4 for 35, L Kretzmann 3 for 14). *Nowton 114 for 1 (L Kretzmann 52no, S Danson 40no). Nowton (19) bt West Mersea (1) by 9 wkts.
Elveden 143 for 9 (D Rodic 45, S Firman 22, A Smith 3 for 41). *Woodbridge II 146 for 4 (W Nicholls 88, A Barham 33, S Flack 3 for 49). Woodbridge II (19) bt Elveden (4) by 6 wkts.
*Worlington II 370 for 6 (B Bowens 116, J Peachey 85, I Roberts 63, S Smith 33, A Gallop 26). West Bergholt 75 (M Joel 33, B Cole 5 for 20). Worlington II (20) bt West Bergholt (3) by 295 runs.
Division C
Kelvedon & Feering 246 for 8 (S King 65, F Warner 62, C Bennett 32, C Osmond 25, T Humphrey 5 for 40). *Ipswich 114 (L Mair 37, C Wright 22, W Bellamy 5 for 21). Kelvedon (20) bt Ipswich (5) by 132 runs.
Division C Cup
*Clacton 150. Coggeshall 151 for 4. Coggeshall (2) bt Clacton (0) by 6 wkts.
*Mistley 222 (M Funnell 58, J Skeet 38, J Allday 36, J Jackson 32, D Searle 4 for 4). Copdock & OIs 190 (D Searle 59, S Ward 28, A Cherry 24, A Leggett 20, A Mills 5 for 27). Mistley (2) bt Copdock (0) by 32 runs.
