DESPITE falling to defeat Maldon Cricket Club skipper Martyn Coker believes the club’s future is bright.

Maldon fell to a 57-run defeat in their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship encounter at Drapers Farm.

The defeat sees them third from bottom in the table after four games so far this season.

But with a young side gaining experience all the time Coker believes the club can only benefit in the long run.

Coker said: “We went into Saturday’s game with high hopes and with a young side, one of the youngest in first team history.

“We fielded six players aged 21 and under.

“This is the direction the club will be trying to go this season, and is a cause for great optimism for the future.”

Maldon made early breakthroughs against Worlington but stubborn batting resistance saw the visitors set a reasonable total.

Coker said: “We won the toss and decided to bowl.

“Robb Macmillan dismissed Chris Baugh early, and then we thought he had Worlington captain Richard Ford caught behind early on too.

“Unfortunately the umpire did not give Ford out, and he made 61, and shared a big partnership with Jimmy Watson, who made 76.

“We fought back well late on though with Macmillan, Toby Pugh and debutant Max Bryant holding Worlington to 200 for seven from their 50 overs.”

In reply, Maldon looked as if they were on course to overhaul Worlington’s total but a batting collapse late on proved decisive.

Coker said: “Jimmy Ainscough and Chris Harris were both out early in reply, but Macmillan and Bryant put together a useful partnership of 57 for the third wicket.

“After Max was out for 24, we were well placed at 120 for four, with myself and Robb at the crease together, needing 80 from the last 16 overs.

“However, my dismissal for 20 and Robb’s soon after for 67 saw us lose our last six wickets for just 23 runs, and fall 57 short of our target.”

But Coker is looking ahead to this weekend and what he hopes can be a winnable fixture against Elmstead Grasshoppers, who sit a place below them in the division one table.

He added: “Next week we travel to Elmstead, in a big game for us against a team who have also had a challenging start to the season.

“I hope to have Freddie Clark and Gary Bannister available again for selection this week.”