1st XI v Cambridge University Crusaders

Crusaders 216-5 (40 overs)
Framlingham 214-8 (Alexander 69*, Williman 59)
Lost by 2 runs

The 1st XI turned in a much improved performance against the Cambridge University Crusaders with captain Tim Alexander leading the way. In ideal conditions the visitors were restricted to 216-5 off their 40 overs despite an opening stand of 155. Alexander, Skitch, Taylor and Keshwani all bowled with discipline and were well supported by some athletic fielding.

Early partnerships between McAvoy and Williman (46) and then Gooderham and Williman (71) laid the foundations of a promising run chase, but when Elliott, Goldsmith, Bryanton and Mountford all perished without scoring the game appeared lost. The captain however had other ideas and by the end of the 39th over the deficit had been reduced to 17. With the University rattled, Alexander took fifteen off the first five balls bringing victory in sight, but it was not to be. 

U14A’s defeat Woodbridge School in the County Cup First Round

Woodbridge 85-8 (20 overs) (Gunn 3-1, Heldreich 3-8)
Framlingham 87-2 (Finbow 23*, Ellis 23)
Framlingham won by 8 wickets

Will Gunn’s impressive three wickets for one run (a wide) off four overs was the mainstay of a clinical all-round performance from the Under 14 A team in the first round of the Lord Taverners County Cup competition. George Heldeich’s 3-8 was also instrumental in restricting the visitors from Woodbridge to 85-8 off their allotted 20 overs.
Ben Boyden and Oscar Ellis then put on 31 for the first wicket before making way for Harvey Finbow and Ben Slaven to overhaul the target with sixteen deliveries still remaining. Victory means that the College will now meet the winner of Benedict’s Catholic School and Mildenhall College in the Quarter Final.

1st XI v Colchester Royal Grammar School

*Colchester RGS 200-6 (35 overs)
Framlingham 33
Lost by 167 runs

There can have been fewer darker days in Framlingham’s 1st XI history than this one and yet it all began so promisingly. RGS were inserted on a damp wicket and made to work hard for every run by the ever impressive Alexander (2-16) and young Charlie Lewis (2-22). After 10 overs the hosts had stuttered to 16-2. What followed is probably best forgotten save for the last five overs when the openers returned to finish what they had started.

The batting display, if it can be called that, began disastrously when Williman smeared a long hop to a rather surprised square leg and things didn’t improve after that. It probably wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the post-match discussions lasted longer than our innings and hopefully will prove to be more fruitful as well. Thursday’s visit of the XL Club will provide them with the opportunity to restore some much needed pride and confidence.

1st XI v XL Club
XL Club 171-8 (35 overs) (Alexander 4-30)
*Framlingham 172-0 (Williman 92*, McAvoy 73*)
Won by 10 wickets

The 1st XI bounced back from their recent disappointment to record another emphatic victory over the XL Club. Tim Alexander proved too quick for the visitors collecting 4-30, with handy supporting roles played by Charlie Lewis, Andrew Skitch and George Gough. Sadiq Keshwani also chipped in to reduce the guests to 171-8 off their 35 overs.

As if to make a mockery of last week’s performance, Kristian Williman (92 not out) and Josh McAvoy (72 not out) saw the side home without loss in just over 28 overs.

1st XI v Royal Hospital School
Framlingham 229-9 (30 overs) (Gooderham 69, Williman 47)
*RHS 194-5
Won by 35 runs

What a difference a week makes. Since the all-round disappointments seven days ago the 1st XI have since routed the XL Club and swept aside a buoyant RHS. Both displays owed everything to the batsmen and in particular Kristian Williman who maintained his fine start to the season with a fluent 47 before being run out off a no ball. His opening partner McAvoy was also unfortunate to be dismissed in similar fashion following a direct hit from the boundary. If RHS thought it was going to be their lucky day then they hadn’t reckoned on the unpredictable Lewis Gooderham who flailed the bowlers to all parts of the ground in a whirlwind 37 ball 69. With such a formidable platform the lower order were permitted to enjoy the rest of the innings eventually closing on 229-9 off 30 overs.

The opening overs didn’t quite go according to plan as bowlers struggled to maintain their lines in blustery conditions and it was left to George Gough to make the crucial breakthroughs. With the danger man dismissed and the run rate climbing, RHS began to falter and despite some hefty blows late in the day, the result was never in doubt.

1st XI v Gentlemen of Suffolk
Gents of Suffolk 155-8 (35 overs) (Alexander 3-32)
*Framlingham 158-6 (Elliott 40, Scott 36*)
Won by 4 wickets

The 1st XI welcomed Jack Scott and Oli Hayman into their ranks for the visit of the Gentlemen of Suffolk in what proved to be exciting encounter. The Gents elected to bat first and were indebted to Spencer Veevers-Chorlton (OF) who crafted a run-a-ball 59 against a much improved College bowling performance. Tim Alexander did most of the damage again but was well supported by Lewis Gooderham (2-21) in restricting the visitors to 155-8 off their 35 overs.

The target appeared to be some way off as both Williman and McAvoy both fell victim to the new ball. There was a brief recovery in the form of a 54 run partnership between Elliott and Gooderham, before the latter threw his wicket away when well set. Fortunately, the introduction of Jack Scott steadied the ship and as he grew in confidence the run rate reduced and even though there was a flurry of late wickets the debutant held firm to see his side to victory. 

1st XI v Gentlemen of Essex

Gents of Essex 192-3 (25 overs)
*Framlingham 26-0        
Match abandoned

A star studded Gentlemen of Essex side with a cluster of OFs had much the better of a rain interrupted match, the result of which was always likely to be determined by the weather rather than the players. The opening salvo was fired by an energetic Alexander who removed both Gents’ openers with through pace and control, but this only brought to the crease a second overseas professional who proceeded to help himself to an undefeated 140!

With the overs already reduced in the hope of getting a result, little could be done as the light faded and further rain swept across the Back. When the captains finally shook hands the College had meandered to 26 without loss.  

1st XI v St. Joseph’s College
*St. Joseph’s 211-6 (30 overs)
Framlingham 198 (Gooderham 60, Alexander 44)
Lost by 13 runs

On a surface offering bounce and movement, Framlingham turned in a rather inept performance in the field to ultimately hand victory to the hosts. Despite some threatening bowling by the ever impressive Tim Alexander and occasional glimpses of hope in the form of Charlie Lewis and Josh McAvoy, a succession of dropped catches allowed St Joseph’s batsmen to score far beyond their means.

Nevertheless, despite the rather disastrous start, the top order once again laid the foundations for an interesting finale. McAvoy and Williman put on 81 before both fell in the space of three deliveries allowing the explosive Gooderham and Alexander to take control. Their century stand off just 65 deliveries wrestled the initiative from the stunned hosts to take Framlingham to within 26 runs of an unlikely victory with 23 balls still remaining. Unfortunately there was one more twist in the story as the departure of Alexander, Gooderham and Keshwani in the 27th over put paid to any thoughts of a dramatic win and in the diminishing light the run chase petered out tamely.