Double win wraps up title for Mistley

MISTLEY clinched the Gainsborough Indoor League Division Two title last Sunday with comprehensive wins over BT/Waldringfield B and nearest rivals Kesgrave.

Nacton moved into third place by beating Ipswich B, who now have an identical record to Woodbridge/OW's, who beat a much-changed Martlesham side.

Mistley decided to bat against BT/Waldringfield B, but for once they did not have their usual rampant start.

James Garwood was run out with only 18 on the board and John Manning (22) and Sam Gibson departed to successive balls at 51. Graeme Butcher retired at 65 and was replaced by Simon Barlow until he, in turn, replaced Tommy Lawes 20 runs later. The final four overs yielded 53 runs with Butcher (56no) and Barlow (35no) both undefeated in a total of 139 four.

Although BT/W made a good start they found themselves at 45 for three after five overs; however Vijay Vayalveettil (44) batted through until nine balls from the end after receiving some support from the tail and took advantage of some rather loose Mistley bowling to take the final BT/W score to 105 - still 34 behind.

Mistley again batted first after having been inserted by Kesgrave; and although John Manning went early Simon Barlow (23) and James Garwood (26 no) led the fightback, with contributions from Graeme Butcher and Sam Gibson plus shambolic bowling that conceded 45 runs in wides and no balls helping Mistley reach 140 for four by the close.

None of the Kesgrave batsmen showed any intention to chase the Mistley total, and with only Paul Budd (13) and Mike Worne (11) reaching double figures, the innings meandered to 54 for five wickets by the close. John Manning was the most successful Mistley bowler with three for 16 although Tommy Lawes' one wicket for four runs off 18 balls deserves mention.

Nacton won the toss and asked Ipswich B to set them a target; a bright start was made with 44 coming off five overs, but the loss of two wickets by that time slowed down proceedings. The loss of the third and fourth wickets at 52 and 59 after eight overs required David Adams (12) to take what runs he could from the final four overs.

John Bafico, who finally dismissed him three balls into the final over, finished with two wickets for five runs out of a total of 72.

Although Neal Manning brought off a smart stumping to get rid of Dan Hiscock in the second over, Jonathan Warner (17no) and John Bafico (23no) took their time and reached 73 for two with five balls remaining despite Adam Stevens' two for 22.

In the final game of the day the Martlesham total of 77 for four wickets after being inserted was almost entirely due to David Smee (34no) and Phil Murray (16no), while for Woodbridge, Andrew led the Deere family assault on Martlesham.

He took two for ten off three overs, dad Graham scored 16 when opening the batting, and daughter Hannah scored the winning runs.

Bruce Tompkins also took two for 21 and scored 25 not out in a three-wicket victory.

Results round-up

Mistley 139 for 4 (Butcher 56 no, Barlow 35 no, Manning 22, Moham 2 for 32). BT/Waldringfield B 105 (Vayalveettil 44, Manning 2 for 29). Mistley (8pts) bt BT/Waldringfield B (3) by 34 runs.

Mistley 140 for 4 (Garwood 26 no, Barlow 23, M Worne 2 for 44). Kesgrave 54 for 5 (P Budd 13, M Worne 12, Manning 3 for 16). Mistley (7) bt Kesgrave (1) by 86 runs.

Ipswich B 72 (Mobbs 13, Adams 12, Bafico 2 for 5). Nacton 73 for 2 (Bafico 23 no, Warner 17 no, Stevens 2 for 22). Ipswich B (0) lost to Nacton (7) by 4 wks.

Martlesham 77 for 4 (Smee 34 no, Murray 16 no, A Deere 2 for 10, Tompkins 2 for 21). Woodbridge/OW's 80 for 3 (Tompkins 25 no, Mugleston 19, G Deere 16, Brown 2 for 27). Martlesham (2) lost to Woodbridge (6) by 3 wkts.

Sunday's fixtures

Division One: 10am Melton v Achilles, 11am Felixstowe Corinthians v Achilles, Noon Felixstowe v Felixstowe Corinthians, 1pm Ipswich A v Mallards, 2 pm Hadleigh v BT/Waldringfield A.

Umpires: Kumar Kumaraswami and Don Quennell