3rd XI Cricket 2008

V Bilton Grange
 

Maidwell batted first on a stunning afternoon at Bilton Grange. Weatherby and Stephenson opened and made a slow but steady start before Weatherby was caught out with the total on 9. This loss appeared to galvanise Stephenson into action and with 13 runs off 5 overs he began to step up the pace alongside Collie.  However, there seemed to be the danger of an early collapse after Collie followed Weatherby back to the pavilion (17 for 2 off 7). The arrival of our Spanish secret weapon – Ignacio Morenes - saw the run rate improve considerably with a number of boundaries from both batsmen. The pair held out for 13 overs, pushing the total to 84 before Morenes was stumped at an impressive 37 runs. The middle order saw some cheap wickets dropped alongside steady Stephenson (who made 39) with some dubious decisions by the batsmen and despite some brave swinging the innings ended on 114 for 9.

Following tea, Maidwell took to the field and after some initial ‘wobbles’ as Bilton started quite strongly, we found some consistency in our bowling.  The first wicket fell to a quick ball in the seventh over, from Sampo, with Bilton on 28. This was followed by a quick-thinking run out and a clean bowl from Morenes in the course of the following eight overs. With Bilton over half way through their overs and the score at 51, Maidwell were clearly in control.  Jack Weatherby then added two further wickets in similar fashion bringing Bilton’s score to 74 for 5 off 21 overs. Unfortunately time ran out for Maidwell’s bowlers, Bilton finished on a score of 106, but this was due to some more relaxed fielding as Maidwell ‘took their foot off the pedal’ allowing a number of singles as the necessary run-rate became increasingly impossible to attain.

The match ended as a draw with many positives to be taken away. Fielding certainly needs to be improved (with two dropped catches and a number of fumbles) and the early run rate could be increased but we look forward to a result in our next encounter.

V Wellingborough
 

On a very hot afternoon, the Third XI battled hard against a strong Wellingborough team. Maidwell batted first, with a new opening partnership (enforced due to absences) of Collie and Wilson. Unfortunately Collie was lost, LBW, with the score on 11 and and Smith soon followed. Things looked bleak for a period before Wilson steadied the ship and the run rate began to look respectable. However, a flurry of wickets - amidst which Layzell-Payne impressed with some good shots - resulted in a disappointing total of 85 all out, off only 16 overs.

Wellingborough came out to bat and were penned back by some quality bowling from Sampo and Collie and at tea were 27 for 3.  After refreshments, Maidwell were aware of the task that lay before them: to bowl them out. Despite a good effort this proved too difficult and Wellingborough went on to win the match comfortably with the loss of two further wickets.

Inevitably the loss of our three best players undermined our chances from the outset. However, there is still little excuse for hasty and careless swings of the bat and for such inconsistent bowling. More work in the nets I feel...

V Spratton Hall
 

Another fantastic afternoon saw the arrival of Spratton to take on the Thirds on the First team pitch. Maidwell bowled first and started the game brightly with some pacey overs from Weatherby and Collie. Spratton were immediately on the back foot and found it difficult to cope. This pattern continued for 5 overs until finally there was a breakthrough by Weatherby with the score at 8. The Spratton innings was slow and ponderous, and given the blazing sunshine the main frustration was that it took so long to bowl them out! Wickets eventually followed from Sampo (5-0-16-3), Collie (6-1-26-4), Layzell-Payne (3-1-11-1) and another from Weatherby (6-0-9-2) and despite a dubious umpiring decision to deny Smith a great catch behind the stumps, Spratton ended at 97 all out from 28 overs.

After tea Maidwell took the field and immediately looked in control, the openers weathered (no pun intended) the initial storm and there appeared no real danger although the run rate was very slow. However, minor panic appeared to set in with the cheap loss of Wilson for 5 runs with the score at only 12. The arrival of Collie moved the run rate along but he succumbed to a plumb LBW for only 7 runs, leaving the score at 49 for 3 off 12 overs. Parker partnered Weatherby briefly but was caught out very cheaply. The partnership of Layzell-Payne (17no) and Smith (21no) seemed to make all the difference and with plenty of overs and wickets to spare they possibly felt less pressure and were able to play a few more shots and move the score on. The match was eventually won by six wickets through a quick single and four over-throws which in many ways illustrated the difference between the two teams.

A much better day in the field for Maidwell, although it would still be nice to see a sharper cutting edge to our bowling and a little more concentration at times as there were at least two potential catches missed.  A long break until the next match so plenty of time to improve and to build on this success.

V Stoneygate
 

In a very one-sided match Maidwell quickly got into their stride following the loss of Weatherby early on.  Chamberlayne (23) steadied the ship and formed a strong partnership with Freddie Collie (26) - whose wicket was lost to a controversial LBW - before the arrival (and swift departure) of Wilson.  The arrival of Milo Smith (52+12) saw things settle down greatly as he swiftly despatched deliveries to the boundary.  Alongside Chamberlayne, the total reached 92 before Chamberlayne was caught rather too simply.  Smith was retired on 52 (off fifteen balls!) and, following a rather worrying collapse, returned to partner the remaining batters.  Maidwell finished on 176 all out at tea.

Stoneygate took the crease and the onslaught of Collie and Sampo soon paid dividends, the first wicket falling to Sampo in the second over.  It was Sampo's second over though that impressed most, taking 4 wickets in a row and breaking the stumps with some ferocious bowling (5 wickets for 2 runs off 2 overs).  This collapse marked the start of the end for Stoneygate and despite a few runs being registered they were no match for Maidwell's bowlers who took the remaining wickets for a total score of 27.

Overall, a professional display by the 3rd XI who completed the task set before them although in hindsight the match did not prove much of a challenge.  With confidence riding high we look forward to Bedford...

(The match vs Bedford has been rearranged as:  Away - Weds 2nd July at 2.30pm)
 

V Bedford
 

Maidwell put up a valiant but ultimately fruitless fight against a typically strong Bedford XI. The hosts posted a competitive 117 off their 20 overs. Kai Sampo, Henry Chamberlayne, Kit Haywood and Archie Wilson each took one wicket, Alfie Stephenson two. Bedford’s opener Alexander batted well, unlucky to just miss out on 50.

In reply, Maidwell kept themselves in the game until about the 16 over mark, after which wickets tumbled and the required run rate soared. There were double-figure scores for Henry (15), Milo Smith (10) – who might have won the game had he hung around – and Jack Peppiatt (12*).  The Maidwell boys deserve credit for their gentlemanly spirit and never-say-die approach.