All square in Robin Hobbs Trophy series

IT’S all square after the opening two matches between Suffolk and Essex for the Robin Hobbs Trophy.

The trophy, which is played for in memory of the former Essex and Suffolk leg spinner, was introduced last season when the two counties met in the NCCA Showcase match at Woolpit.

Essex won that match by 28 runs to win the inaugural contest between the neighbouring counties.

This season the winners of the trophy will be decided by the outcome of four meetings – two at Over-60s and two at Over-70s level.

Suffolk took an early lead thanks to their Over-70s recording a nail-biting one-wicket win at Castle Park, Colchester last Thursday.

After Essex posted 185 for 8 in their 45 overs, Suffolk needed two to win off the final ball when last man John Morgan came to the crease.

Morgan scrambled the two runs required to spark great celebrations among the away team to put Suffolk 1-0 ahead in the series.

Above: John Stuck (left) presents the Robin Hobbs Trophy to ‘Ikky’ Shahid, the Essex Over-60s captain. Top: Nick Hobbs, son of Robin Hobbs, presents the trophy to Suffolk Over-70s skipper Neil Hames.

However, Essex Over-60s hit back in Tuesday’s fixture between the two counties when they won by five wickets at Castle Park.

The home team chased down Suffolk’s 201 for 6 with nearly ten overs to spare thanks to 103 by Mel Hussain, brother of former England captain Nasser Hussain.

The reverse fixtures will be played at Ipswich Cricket Club in July when the overall winner of this season’s contests will be decided.

Tags: Essex, Over-60s, Over-70s, Robin Hobbs Trophy

Categorised in: Seniors' Cricket