23/06/2026
๐ 1st XI ๐
Kelvedon 1sts travelled to the Copdock Oval for their 10th fixture of the year. From the outset a number of omens suggested that Kelvedon may turn things around and secure a victory on the road. Kelvedon warmed-up with 9 1/2 players, which became 9 by the end of the warm-up as toys were thrown out the pram and onto the bouncy castle that was auspiciously placed at cow corner. The over 30s were dominated by the youth outfit for the first time this year, losing by a considerable margin of 4 - 1; even the ambitious call of next goal wins was a non-starter. Kelvedon's 11th man turned up just as the coin went up. A successful call of tails meant Kelvedon choose to field on what was evidently a road.
Looking for an early breakthrough, Kelvedon continuously found the rope; some wayward bowling and 'slow' short balls ensured that Copdock went along without trouble at six or seven an over for the first nine. Copdock were pegged back by the introduction of the cunning Warne and the skipper from the other end. For the next twenty overs Copdock continued on a rate of five or six an over in what felt like a never-ending story, but regularly losing wickets. Going into the last 15 overs, and 280-300 looking to be on the cards, Kelvedon began to stifle the Copdock side leading to regular wickets for the returning Nunn and Hijazi. Hoovering up the tail, with the aid of a first first team wicket for Hyslop, Copdock ended up all out for 254, a score that Kelvedon had failed to defend on this ground the previous year.
Kelvedon's reply can best be described by a number of cricketing truisms. 'You have more time than you think'. 'You can't score runs when you're out'. 'Don't follow it'. Kelvedon started quickly as if they were chasing cars. Smith racing to 45 off 41 including seven fours and a six. Unfortunately, at the other end Copdock's spin attack put enough balls in the right area either to induce a false sweep shot or to turn it just enough away from the bat to find the edge. At half way Kelvedon were going along at five an over, nearly up with the rate, but were unfortunately seven down. With 15 overs left, Kelvedon only needed 120 on a notoriously difficult ground to defend and with the pitch offering little to the bowlers. Ultimately, however, wickets continued to fall leaving Kelvedon all out for 163 with 11 overs spare to bat. Hopefully, lessons have been learnt from this game going forward. Onwards to next week at home to Witham.
๐ 2nd XI ๐
The 2s welcomed Frinton to Rye Mill Lane in a key match against a close rival in the table. Put in to bowl first, Max struck first and then Connor followed which started a collapse made up of a runout, 3 wickets from Nick, 2 from Dave and 1 from Matt. Frintonโs last wicket partnership dug in to take them to 148ao but it was a top effort in tough conditions by the 2s.
The chase couldnโt have started any better with Alfie getting off to a flyer and he, together with Rumaan, ate into the small target quickly. Half centuries from Alfie (62) and Rumaan (53) as part of an 125-run first wicket partnership left a great platform for Rory to put one in the river and take the 2s home for a exceptional 6-wicket victory.
๐ 3rd XI ๐
Kelvedon 3RD XI vs Braintree 3RD XI - 20th June 2026
Kelvedon 209-8 of 40 overs
Braintree 212-3 of 27.2 overs
Result - Kelevdon lose by 7 wickets
Kelvedon made the short journey to Earls Colne airfield.
Kelevdon won the toss and batted.
Posting 209-8 of their 40 overs. A brilliant 103 from Andy Harris , with contributions from Al Cookson (28) and Ed Peters (30) the main contributorโs
At the halfway stage , 209 probably didnโt feel like quite enough, given the excellent batting track and fast outfield, coupled with a lack of depth to the Kelevdon bowing attack, and a loss of player to a migraine โฆ Kelvedon took to the field with 10 players
Braintree scored freely putting any loose balls , and reached the target comfortably with overs to spare and the loss of only 3 wickets.
There was a wicket each for Seb Saunders, Luca Wren and Paul Beattie
Good effort by all, and massive appreciation from the captain to the players that made themselves available.
Onto next week
Cheers Al - Captain
