Home skipper Danny Goff won the toss and elected to field on a wicket that looked like it would aid the bowlers early on.
This decision reaped immediate dividends when Redgwell was caught and bowled by Simon Garner in the very first over. Garner, in fact kept things extremely tight, and with excellent support from fellow opening bowler Sean Fox, Maldon were struggling to muster one an over early on.
As the away batsmen were feeling the pressure more and more, Coker was removed by Fox, when he found the top of his off stump. Three overs later, Garner picked up his second when he uprooted the middle stump of Raymond with an in swinging Yorker.
By this time, the ever dangerous Harris was at the crease, but his stay was also short lived as veteran Lovett sent down an absolute rip-snorter to give the batsman no chance. This put the home side well and truly in the driving seat, as Maldon were left reeling on 20-4 off 20 overs.
Maldon then produced their best partnership of the match between Morris and Hawkes, but their cameos were ended by Fox and Goff respectively. Ellis proved to be the away side’s best batsman on the day, and he batted very well under the circumstances in an attempt to give them something to bowl at.
Garner was brought back into the attack and mopped up the tail within a few overs, finishing with a five wicket haul, and Maldon’s final total was 147 all out. Harwich made an incredible improvement on the season so far, by only conceding one extra, which was largely down to some disciplined bowling and excellent keeping behind the stumps by up and coming Sam Felgate.
In reply, Harwich lost opener Aaron Trussler early on for just 7, which brought Goff in at number 3 and he, with opener Lovett, began to build a useful partnership. This was brought to an end when the latter went aerial just once too often and was caught in the deep for 17 off the bowling of Riley.
Goff then went on to build a captains innings and put the Maldon attack to the sword. Numerous fours and sixes ensued, and an excellent resilient support role was provided by Simon Bourne.
The two fell in quick succession, with Goff going on to make a welcome return to form and eventually being bowled for an excellent 82. This brought in Jake Neale and Jimmy Goff who saw Harwich home with consummate ease and bring up a six wicket victory.
This Sunday, Harwich entertain Brightlingsea at Low Road, 2pm start.
MALDON INNINGS
Coker b S Fox 6
Redgwell c & b Garner 0
Raymond b Garner 5
Harris b Lovett 8
Morris c D Goff b S Fox 30
Hawkes b D Goff 25
Ellis b Garner 45
Punchard c Felgate b Armstrong 15
Head b Garner 3
Riley b Garner 0
Richardson Not Out 9
Extras 1
Total 147 All Out
Bowling: Garner 5-37, S Fox 2-30, D Goff 1-19, Lovett 1-27, Armstrong 1-34
HARWICH INNINGS
Trussler c Punchard b Head 7
Lovett c Ellis b Riley 17
D Goff b Hawkes 82
Bourne b Riley 10
Neale Not Out 21
J Goff Not Out 8
Extras 3
Total 148 for 4
Bowling: Riley 2-38, Hawkes 1-17, Head 1-23
inzie
was gonna say harris for 8, gr8 scalp
Artois
Yes, it was a very important wicket, as he regularly scores runs against us.
Ray pitched the ball outside leg and got it to hit the top of off stump.
