Maldon 1st XI 213-4

Ipswich 1st XI 147

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two

HAVING won the league last week following their thrashing of Clacton, the first team were simply focused on retaining their unbeaten status as they went into the penultimate game of the year.

Maldon won the toss and elected to bat but got off to a sketchy start as Chris Harris (four) got out early.

Ian Elliott (47) came to the crease and helped rebuild but Reece O'Connell (eight) could not emulate this as he was given out LBW and reduced the side to 36 for two.

If Ipswich felt they were in the game, this feeling did not last long as Matt Anderson (116 not out) took the bowlers to task with a brilliant, match-winning debut century for the club.

While Anderson fired away at one end, Matt Wild (32) plugged away at the other to keep the scoreboard ticking.

With the addition of these runs, Maldon made their way to a formidable 213 for four and looked very commanding going into the second innings.

Gary Bannister (three for 27) got Maldon off to a flier as he clean-bowled the top three to reduce Ipswich to 48 for three in the first eight overs.

Following his antics with the bat, Anderson (two for 44) struck with the ball and removed the next two wickets cheaply. O'Connell (2-36) was next to claim his wickets as he dismissed the threatening Nick Godward (24) and skipper Chris Bell (eight).

Ipswich were never given a chance to fully recover and Elliott (three for 18) came on to wipe up the tail and finish off yet another comprehensive victory.

This win means that Maldon have gone unbeaten for 21 weeks which is a serious achievement considering that they were relegated last year.

Next week they visit Easton in the last game of their season.