Rayleigh Fairview: 113 ao - Ahmed 3/21, Lambert 3/32, Foley 2/28, Duffin 1/3, McKeon 1/14
Mount CC: 114/3 - Frankel 44, Mackay 30no
Mount won by 7 wickets.

The Mounties returned to action on Sunday after the extended break and put in a very pleasing team performance to start the season with a win.

Rayleigh Fairview won the toss and elected to bat on what looked a decent track but were soon to regret that decision. The ever accurate Paul McKeon opened the bowling alongside the skipper and, with a wicket falling in each of the opening 3 overs, Rayleigh Fairview were soon under the cosh. A change of bowling quickly saw Jamie Lambert and Ammar Ahmed effectively end the contest taking 3 wickets each! Ammar has made a stunning start to his time with Mount and took 3/21 to add to the 5/17 he took on debut at the back end of last season. One of his wickets came via a stunning slip catch by Duffin – the two combining to create a moment of quality rarely seen at this level. Well played chaps!

It was a pleasure to see Jamie Lambert back in the side and he did not disappoint, taking 3/31 and entertaining the crowd (whose number included a very proud Lambert Senior) with his variation. A sharp piece of glovework by Offord for a stumping, perhaps the pick of the bunch. Duffin, who had initially been reluctant about his last minute call up, clearly had his “mojo” back after that slip catch and took the last wicket with his off-spin to close the Rayleigh innings on 113 all out.

114 to win then and, with a strong batting line up to compliment our efforts in the field, we were quietly confident. Ilan Frankel and Wajid Ahmed opened and, despite facing a very pacy opening pair, showed patience, skill and wisdom in taking their time to assess the threat. Wajid, as always looked cool and calm and batted with skill before picking out a fielder with a cut. The President came in at 3 but felt that his time would be better spent carrying out his Presidential duties and supporting his skipper so quickly decided to make way for David Mackay. Mackay and Frankel batted beautifully. Ilan now seeing the ball like a beachball accelerated the run-rate making 44 before falling to a stumping from the opposition’s athletic young ‘keeper. Martin “The Iceman” Hare joined Mackay at the wicket and made a pleasing cameo before “Mackie” launched a monster six to seal victory.

Further fixture news to come soon. All the best and....

Go Mounties!

Great to get back to cricket! Thank you all those who have asked to play.

Before we do play, please read the guidelines. We have thought hard about playing this season, and the primary concern is your well being. The guidelines give you an idea of the extent to which we have to go to be safe.

While there’s been no cricket to talk about so far this year and as we look ahead to the club’s 70th anniversary (2021/22), we thought we’d take an occasional look back at some Mount games of the past. If you have any that you’d like us to feature just let me know and we will dig out the stats if we can.

On this day… July 15th

2007 – despite a 50 from opener Ged Williams (8x4s) and a career high score of 29 (2x4, 2x6!) for Paul Southward, Mount were skittled for 122 by a Tillingham side who went on to chase down the total with 5 wickets to spare. Wickets for Southward, Cox. Palmer and George Wilcox (2) were to no avail.

1990 – David Hewitt was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 for 22 as Westcliff declared on 221/9 at Chalkwell Park. Two wickets apiece for Terence Hair and James Boult and one for Alex Grant. In reply Nigel Weller opened and top scored with 44 (5x4, 1x6) and despite maintaining a decent run rate throughout, the steady fall of wickets saw the Mount finally succumb for 187 all out.

1988 - A touring Mount side played out a relatively low scoring draw against Brompton Ralph. Mount 158 ao vs Brompton Ralph 151/7. With runs at a premium and the wickets shared around, perhaps the most noteworthy performance came from David Thomas with a wicket, a catch and a boundary – good effort DT!