Report by Will Bradshaw. June 13th, at home. 

On a warm Saturday afternoon Earls Colne faced the challenge of Ipswich and East Suffolk II. Skipper, Dave Brooker won the toss and elected to field. 

Ipswich and ES II got off to a reasonable start with 14 coming from the first 4 overs. Joe Smith then made the breakthrough in his 3^rd over taking the wicket of K.Howlett who was caught at mid wicket by Will Devitt. Debenham and Leach then made a partnership of 89 at 3.56 per complete overs; the low run rate was largely down to the economical bowling of Nick Oakley who finished up with figures of 15, 3, 32, 0, without being hit for a boundary. Will Bradshaw then had Debenham caught by Rob Gibson, for 52. M.Howlett was the next batsman who then went on to make a 38 run partnership with Leach, before Leach was stumped by Johnny Lee off the bowling of Smith. 3 balls later Smith struck again with Barker being caught at cover point by Brooker. The next man in, Gayfer, made 24 before being caught and bowled by Devitt. Then two quick fire wickets for Smith in the 45^th over of the game saw M.Howlet being caught for 37 and Athukorola being caught at deep mid wicket by Devitt for 1. This completed Smith’s five wicket haul. Ipswich and ES II finished up on 188 for 7.  

During the innings Alex Watson, who was fielding well, was forced to leave the field due to an injury he picked up at square leg, but was replaced by Ben Mason who gave an impressive display. 

In reply Colne started well with Dan Grice and Lee opening the batting making 17 between them before Grice was caught by K.Howlett off the bowling of Rolls, for 10. Pilgrim was the next man in making 9 before being caught LBW by Athukorola with Lee being dismissed the next over, also for 9, being caught by M.Howlett off the bowling of Rolls. The next men in, Devitt and Gibson put on a partnership of 26, before Devitt was later dismissed after edging it onto his own stumps off the bowling of Ali for 11. Then Gibson and the new man in, Brooker, made a good partnership of 90 going at 4.45 runs per complete over. Gibson made a good innings of 67 which included two 6s, one of which was pulled into the tennis courts. His innings came to and end when he was run out. Brooker continued to keep the scoreboard ticking as the next men in, Kelly and Oakley, were bowled by the impressive Athukorola. Smith and Brooker then formed an 8 run partnership before Brooker was bowled by Athukorola for 40. Bradshaw was the next batsman making 2 before being bowled by Rolls. Then Alex Watson made it out to the middle despite his injury with Gibson running for him. Some quick running saw Earls Colne reach 172 needing 17 to win. Smith was then run out which resulted in him finishing up on 8 and Watson on 3 not out.  

Unfortunately Earls Colne lost by 17 runs. 

Ipswich and East Suffolk II 188-7 (20 points). Earls Colne 172 (6 points).