And Melbourne’s month was not that great either SOFTBALL FESTIVAL SUCCESS

MELBOURNE Town Cricket Club (MTCC) hosted its very first ladies softball festival at the MSP on May 14

Thankfully, the sun was out and it was great to see so many people enjoying the day It is only the second season of ladies’ softball at Melbourne and so to put out two teams was a fantastic achievement

A great deal of planning had gone into creating a fun and memorable day for both players and spectators: including music, the pop-up food outlet ‘Let’s Taco About It’, complimentary sports massage provided by JJ Heath, fantastic raffle and guess the weight of the cake competition (SJ Cakes). The day was kicked off with a group aerobics warm up of over 50 ladies!

There were seven teams entered in total, including the two development teams from MTCC Both teams played well throughout the day, with a number of ladies playing their first ever match Coach Scrimmy recognised that there is still a lot to ‘tweak’ but the potential and enthusiasm is definitely in abundance.

At the end of the day each team was awarded a ‘Prosecco/choco- lates Moment’ – a particular cricketing highlight as decided by the umpires Well done to Amy Fleming and Emily Brooks of MTCC

The ladies will be playing at more festivals throughout Derbyshire over the summer and also at the MTCC summer event at the MSP on Sunday, June 25. If any ladies are interested in going along to see what it’s all about, training is on Tuesdays from 5.15-6.30pm at the MSP

Special thanks to Alex Slater, the MSP team and MTCC volunteers who helped with preparation of the ground, umpiring and ensuring that the day ran smoothly.

Pictured are some of the softballers enjoying the day

MELBOURNE Town Cricket

Club were hit by the wet weather at the start of May with the first team’s first two games of the month against Abbots Bromley and Hartshorne rained off They did manage to get on the pitch a week later as they hosted Spondon third team, who amassed 192 all out as Alex Slater (3-18) and Muhammad Nadeem (3-57) led the way with the ball

Solid batting saw Melbourne knock the runs off for a six wicket win with over 15 overs to spare, Mark Rossi top scoring on 67 not out

Town travelled to Burton for their last league game of the month Nadeem led the way with the ball taking 3-63 but the home side scored a substantial 263-6 Only Ash Elwell stood firm with the bat, scoring 53, as the first team fell to a 66-runs defeat in being bowled out for 197

The second team began the month with a rained off game against Clifton and were well beaten a week later by a strong Allestree first team The seconds fell to 131 all out with only Ash Elwell (52) and Ranjit Rathore (29) getting a score of note as the visitors claimed a 10-wicket victory Elwell (31) and skipper Sam Adcock (25) were the top scorers a week later as the seconds were bowled out for just 106 and, despite 2-18 from Tom Richmond, Winshill seconds claimed a six wicket victory

Town ended the month with a much-needed win at home to lowly Muggington with 3-32 from Gurwinder Singh plus two wickets apiece by Manjinder Singh, Tom Bagnall and Tom Richmond bowling the visitors out for just 112 Singh capped a good game with 64 not out in a ninewicket success

The club’s third team has seen many of their youngsters making their senior debuts In their first league match of the season away to Winshill thirds it was 13-year-old Isaac Walker who led the way with a remarkable 3-9 from his five overs plus 4-20 by Nathan Smith This helped see the hosts shot out for just 100 Town edged to victory by just two wickets with several players chipping in

A week later visitors Kirk Langley seconds scored a handy 223-8 off their allotted overs with Isaac Walker once again leading the way with 3-29 supported by two wickets from debutant Kartheek Mylapally

The thirds struggled in reply and were bowled out for 57

A very strong Brailsford thirds team were the next visitors to the MSP as they smashed 379-9 but figures of 4-48 by Raman Batchu plus three wickets on his debut for 13 year old Ed Jones stood out

Opener Chetan Patel (29) and Dharani Ronanki (27) stood firm in Melbourne’s reply as they ended on 108-7

The final match of the month for John Collins’ men was away to Lullington Park 4ths, who scored 323-3 Town were within three balls of salvaging a draw as a superb 60 by Adam Walker led the rearguard action but ultimately they fell to another defeat