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Colin’s Column, Damp Troubled Sudbury Talbots

Colin, Sudbury
Damp Troubled Sudbury Talbots

Colin’s Column Week 12

In a week where all the stars of the Tour de France were out of contention by the end of the first week, Jimmy Anderson one of the worlds’ great number 11 batsmen scored 81 in a test match (good on yer Jimmy) and Brazil entirely lost the ability to play football (and I supported the Germans in the World Cup final which is something I never ever expected to say) in the UK it’s been one of those strange weeks where if you were in the right place the weather has been lovely, proper English summer, but if you were in the wrong spot it’s felt more Madras monsoon season (I assume they do have one?).

I played for Suffolk’s over 50’s Home Counties League team at Milton Keynes on Thursday alongside another Sudbury stalwart Guy Robins and we had a beautiful afternoon Guy taking the man of the match plaudits with his couple of wickets for nothing and 40 not out. Just a few miles away in Cambridge it was raining so hard that my missus who works at the university sent me a text mid-afternoon to say are you back home yet?

The weather also intervened with Sudbury's weekend cricket. Unfortunately, the Saturday first team lost ground in their chase for an early return to the EAPLwhen the ground at Haverhill was deemed unfit for play, one of only 3 games called off in the whole of the Two Counties League (including the Div 3 game at Long Melford). Not quite sure what happened as Haverhill have covers and Saturday was a nice afternoon for cricket but it’s seriously compromised the Talbots who are now 18 points behind joint leaders Coggeshall and Frinton. The good news is that that the gap can be closed in beating these teams next time up.

Sudbury Sunday firsts were also washed out of their fixture, so the only cricket played at the weekend was a Saturday seconds and thirds double header against struggling Abberton.

The Thirds away at Abberton’s lovely ground, made 189 for 8 with Andy Holness making a fine 73 supported by Matt Johnson and Penny Everett who both made 20’s. Abberton were looking in good shape at 52 for 1 but Sudbury gradually reeled them in, reducing them to 112 for 8 with wickets spread around amongst five bowlers and as ever, Charlie Thomas the pick with 3. Abberton also had a lady playing for them Hannah Jeffrey and she showed just how good girl power can be in taking 3 Sudbury wickets. Spare a thought too for M Sullivan who took 3 wickets and scored 70 all in vain as the Talbots bowled out the home team for 150. Sudbury 3’s remain 6th in Two Counties Divn 6, however a cautionary note in that they still have the top three sides to play and are only 26 points off 2nd bottom so the continued good form will be vital.

The Saturday seconds are now involved in a thrilling Division three title race with the top four covered by the proverbial handkerchief, just 6 points from Mildenhall at the top  to Sudbury who are fourth but the teams in second and third have played a game more than the Talbots leaving them in good shape for promotion. On Saturday the Quay Lane side comprehensively thrashed bottom side Abberton by 74 runs having made 252 for 5 in the first innings. Steve Witham top scored with a fifty supported by Pete Siegert and Will Shropshire with 40’s and 20’s from Ben Taylor, Harry Wright and Al Younger.  Seamer Adi Dhage and spin twins Matt Wooderson and Andy Simmons took 2 wickets each together with Siegert using his CGW system to take the eighth wicket and vital extra bonus point. Pete’s son Alec opened the bowling showing great promise for the future and the value of the Sudbury youth system.

This coming weekend at Friars Street, Suffolk (after the forecast heat wave for this week) the Saturday 2nds are at home to second placed Bury and the Sunday 2nds face Battisford. The Sunday firsts travel to Maldon and thirds to Walsham Le Willows whilst on Sunday the first team travel to Haverhill where hopefully the covers are more effective than the weekend past.

Just a quick mention for Sudbury cricket week which starts on Monday 21st where the Talbots take on Old Grammarians, followed by fixtures against Louis Brooks Symantic XI, Bantham Exiles, Yorkshire tourists Olicanian Striders and the traditional Friday fixture against the Gents of Suffolk. All games are 11.30 start and if the weather is good what better than to take in some cricket perhaps with something cool and refreshing in hand?

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