Essex and Norfolk join Berks at the top of the table Day 3 Malta Seniors Cricket Festival

After Tuesday’s sightseeing day, the teams were once again in action with Essex and Norfolk notching up wins to keep the pressure on Berkshire, who remain undefeated.

Game 6

Essex 249/5 (Goode 79, Grima 41; Oddy 3-54; Butterworth 2-47) def. Kent-Beds 124/9 (Maddocks 35, Millard 26; Wheeler 3-14, Green 1-19) by 125 runs.

Essex went to the top of the table on Net Rate with a totally comprehensive win over Kent-Beds. John Grima (41) led from the front as skipper and together with Nick Goode (79), they compiled a 125-run opening partnership. Later on, there were useful contributions by Ian Selby (23), Sanjeev Sood (31) and Martin Robinson (34) to catapult Essex to the highest score in the tournament’s history, eclipsing the previous mark of 240 set by Sussex in 2019. For Kent-Beds, David Oddy took the first 3 wickets to fall, while David Butterworth also took 2.

The chase was always going to be tough for Kent-Beds and wickets fell at regular intervals. Peter Maddocks (35), David Millard (26) and Graeme Moir (23*) were their shining lights with the bat. For Essex, Mark “Sooty” Wheeler was the star of the show with 3 for 14 from his 6 overs and the incredible run out of David Butterworth at the bowler’s end. The ever-reliable Phil Mitchell took 2 wickets for Essex.

Game 7

Norfolk 211/1 (Yates 103*, Harrison 47, Konieczny 40*; Peters 1-39) def. Sussex 181/4 (Straiton 53, Peters 40, Bodansky 37; Spaxman 2-29) by 30 runs.

Norfolk defeated Sussex comfortably in the afternoon game, largely thanks to a superb century from Rob Yates (103*). He was ably supported by fellow opener Andrew Harrison (47) and Robin Konieczny (40*) as Norfolk reached the imposing score of 211/1 from their allotted 30 overs. For Sussex, Tim Peters took the solitary wicket to fall.

In reply, a superb opening partnership between Suresh Navaratnam (28) and Nic Straiton (53) lifted Sussex hopes however with their demise came the end of any real chance of victory. Tim Peters (40) and Jonathan Bodansky (37) put on 65 runs for the 3^rd wicket, but it was not enough for Sussex as they fell short by 30 runs. John Spaxman was the pick of the Norfolk bowlers with 2 for 29 from his 6 overs.

Tomorrow is Day 5 at the Festival with the undefeated Berkshire facing Kent-Beds who are yet to open their account.

The afternoon game sees Essex and Sussex squaring off in what promises to be the pick of the matches.