Haverhill lost the toss and batted first on a day that was sure to be rain interrupted. Opening batsmen Simon Youngs (47) and Neil Winter (53) got Haverhill off to a brilliant start in very difficult wet conditions. Value for strokes was restricted due to the wet conditions and Mildenhalls excellent fielding and tight bowling from S Lancaster who bowled the entire innings from one end. The opening partnership of 88 set Haverhill a good base from which to launch a defendable score. The patience that both opening batsmen had shown was exemplary. A Dellar (51 no.) continued his form with powerfully struck back-foot and front drives. Minor contributions from G Street, Dan Poole, Dan Wilkins and Dave Godwin that brought the innings to a close.

Haverhill 6 for 172

Mildenhall didn’t get off to the start they wanted to with Simon Youngs taking a superb caught and bowled to remove power hitting opener S Kulasi (15). With Rob Sullivan removed from the attack and any pace taken off the ball Simon Youngs (19-5-50-3) and Martin Wilkins (16-3-37-2) were to provide the mainstay of the bowling attack. They both bowled superbly and through great fielding support from the team, especially Dan Poole, Joe Woodley and Dave Godwin the opposition was restricted to 147.

His new role as death bowler is really bringing back some of the old Joe Woodley. He bowled with pace and with two brilliantly bowled quick inswinging Yorkers at leg stump ended up with the very respectable figures of 4 for 23.

A very simple dropped catch to the skipper didn’t dampen the team’s drive to the finish line with the last four wickets falling for just 12 runs.

Mildenhall 9 for 147.

Captain Says:

Trying to share the ball around is difficult in these damp conditions. I have a number of bowler options for every type of wicket but we keep being presented with damp, slow and low tracks. The quick bowlers are biting at the bit to get going but the season hasn’t presented the opportunities, we have to wait for the right conditions.

On-field team morale was higher this game which was great. A good all-round effort from all quarters: batting, bowling and fielding. Even if the skipper dropped a dolly. In my defence though was a fellow player who said I looked as though I did it deliberately, not sure what that means. Perhaps its an indication of my out of left field captaincy some master plan or tactic that I wasn’t aware of. I’ll take that. Back at home next week for Ipswich.

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