Big game coming up for Melford

Long Melford’s season so far has been a roller coaster ride, according to skipper Jason Wade, with player unavailability a major factor.

Melford (137) went down to Brockley (138-6) in Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Division Three on Saturday, as the club had more than 30 players unavailable for various reasons.

“Confidence is vital, and at present we can’t put a decent score up, either individually or as a team,” said Wade.

“But we are not that bad, we don’t roll over without a fight, and we are competing with the guys at the top.”

Melford, third from bottom, visit bottom club Easton on Saturday, but Wade is not expecting an easy game.

“It’s a tight division, and teams are capable of beating each other,” he said.

He was unhappy with the state of the pitch at Brockley, which was full of cracks. “Being asked to bat first didn’t really help,” he added.

l Bill Byford (56) offered the only resistance as Long Melford II (149-9), still without a win, were beaten by Easton II (367-4) in Division Six. Melford are bottom.

l Joshua Burgess (103no) recorded his maiden century for the club as the Sunday XI (205-5) lost to Stowupland (207-3) in Hunts County Bats Division One.

l Daren Bigg scored 93 for the Sunday II XI as Melford (245-4) beat Stowupland II (76, Brett Wright 4-38) in Division Four.

l A 44-ball 72 from Thomas Piddington, together with 95 from Josh Davey, helped Hadleigh (265-5) to an 81-run Division One victory at Frinton (184), a result which leaves Hadleigh sixth in the table.

They shared a fourth wicket stand of 90.

“We lost an early wicket, but Josh batted really well. Then Thomas kickstarted things and we kept the pressure on,” said skipper Ben Wallis.

Kyle Tanner’s opening spell – he ended with 2-15from 10 overs – was his ‘best of the season’ according to Wallis, who took 4-32.

Arran Tampion made his first-team debut, conceding just 10 runs from his three overs.

In a tight division, Hadleigh’s back-to-back victories – they beat Elmstead by three wickets a week earlier – have proved crucial to keep them in the mix for a title challenge.

“We are picking up a lot of bonus points. but the last two weeks have proved crucial,” said Wallis.

“We just have to keep winning, and not worry about other teams around us.”

l Hadleigh II (34) had another difficult day in Division Five, losing by 10 wickets to Stowupland (35-0).

Ben Daniels (10) was the only Hadleigh player to reach double figures, S Gregory (6-13) and R Beeforth (4-20) doing the damage.