16/06/2026
Witham's Weekend Report.
Our 2nd XI suffered a narrow defeat to Billingham Synthonia 2nds in a nail-biting finish on Saturday. Thanks to our match ball sponsor, Emily Cook.
Matt Kelly lost the toss and was invited to bat first. Harry Cole, continuing his impressive form with the bat this season, hit a cultured 59, providing a great platform for our innings. Arjan Sangha contributed with a quick-fire 24, which included one of the biggest sixes the match reporter has seen this summer, smashing the ball over mid-wicket (last seen on its way to the Stainton Lamp post factory!). Cole and David Henderson put on a composed 93-run partnership before both batsmen fell in quick succession, leaving us 155-3.
With few overs remaining, this gave the rest of the batting order licence to tee off, with Safin Chacko (12) hitting a rather delicious, lofted drive over the long on boundary and Charlie Lythgoe also sweeping the ball for four. Jacob Scholtz was the pick of the visitors’ bowling attack with impressive figures 5-11! Maltby finished 182-8.
In reply, George Cole started with his foot fully on the throttle, and made an early breakthrough, claiming the wicket of Luke Egglestone, as one of his intercontinental ballistic missiles, found a juicy edge and was taken by an utterly sublime one-handed grab by skipper Matt Kelly! Billingham composed themselves and chipped away at the score with Paul Duck (35) & Tayyab Mamtaz (44) making valuable contributions. Luke Kenning hit 34 before a tidy stumping from glovesman Adam Kelly off Cole’s bowling. Charlie Lythgoe joined the wicket takers, bowling Mamtaz plumb lbw as the game was on a knife edge! Robson James (17) & Haider Ramzan (17) both kept their composure to take the Synners over the line in the penultimate over, much to the agony of Maltby who felt this game just slipped them by! Billingham 183-4.
Over at the Parkway Ground behind the Rudds Arms (where the match reporter’s missus decided to watch cricket this afternoon?!) Maltby 1st XI lost away to @ Marton Cricket Club 2nd XI. The hosts batted first, posting 208 all out with Archie Yates (5-52) being the pick of our bowling attack with another fifer!
Alex Thompson claimed another first team wicket (1-56) bowling an impressive 15 overs, but his match may unfortunately be remembered for a rather unfortunate misfield, which saw a glorious run out opportunity pass, much to the amusement of Frog Box highlights later that evening held at the David Cook pavilion! Ryan Matthews (50) & Jacob Swan (39) were the pick of Marton’s batters.
Maltby could only muster 121 all out in reply, with Joe Fox (24), Matty Douglas (28) & Steven Hill (22) the only batsmen to hit any score of significance. Despite this disappointing outing, skipper Douglas can surely take solace that his side still sit fourth in the Division 2 table!