Positives despite two defeats

July 21, 2025

THERE were plenty of positives to take despite Suffolk 2nd XI suffering two defeats in their opening East of England Development fixtures.

Suffolk lost to Cambridgeshire by four wickets at Woolpit CC on Tuesday and three wickets away to Norfolk at Swardeston CC on Thursday.

Suffolk made 248 all out from 49.1 overs versus Cambridgeshire, Alex Maynard, who was leading the side for the first time, top-scoring with 70 off 75 deliveries, striking eight fours and two sixes.

After the Bury St Edmunds opener was dismissed with the total on 137 for 6, Archie Miller of Copdock & Old Ipswichian CC, came in at No.8 and scored 55 off 57 balls with six fours and a six.

He featured in partnerships of 47 with Jay Parmar for the seventh wicket and then added 59 for the eighth wicket with Sudbury’s Freddie Cloud.

Solid scoring by Cambridgeshire’s top order meant they were always ahead of the run rate and on course for victory.

Parmar was the most successful bowler with figures of 10-0-25-2 as the visitors chased down the total for the loss of six wickets with 3.4 overs to spare.

Suffolk Cricket’s Director of Performance Chris Gange said: “Archie Miller was making his competitive 2nd XI debut, while we had Jack Auld, an U16, and Felix Norris, an U15, both bowling.

“It was pleasing to see the youngsters stepping up and competing in what was a close game. It took Cambridgeshire almost 50 overs to chase down our total, so it shows the future is promising for those young lads.”

Suffolk posted 263 for 9 against Norfolk thanks to 46 from opener Ned Overbury (Sudbury), 65 from Woolpit’s Henry Bevan (pictured above) and 41 from Jay Parmar, who plays for Norfolk side Ashmanhaugh & Barton Wanderers.

Overbury and Barney Morton (17 off 29) added exactly 50 for the second wicket, with Bevan and Parmar putting on 62 for the seventh wicket.

Norfolk skipper Nat Laws made 105 (10 x 4, 2 x 6) and featured in a third-wicket partnership of 95 with Tom Robson, who scored 55 (8 x 4, 2 x 6).

Sudbury’s Matt Clark returned impressive figures of 9.2-0-43-4.

Dan Shanks, who plays for Suffolk in the NCCA competitions and is a Level 2 coach, was taking charge of the Suffolk 2nd XI for the first time.

He said: “There were lots of positives. Henry Bevan scored 65 batting at No.4 in what was a different role for him from what he usually plays in club cricket and has previously done for Suffolk. He batted very responsibly.

“Matt Clarke bowled nicely and took four wickets and managed to keep us in the game until late on, while Ben Cross, who was making his 2nd XI debut, didn’t take any wickets but ran in hard all day and did well.”

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