Weekly Round Up

The T20 took centre stage this week in the NECL with four matches taking place, shaping the qualification for Finals Day.

On Wednesday evening Wivenhoe hosted champions Coggeshall. Batting first after winning the toss, Wivenhoe posted a more than respectable 194 for 2 from their 20 overs. Jakob Kelly (23) and Sahil Shah (42) putting on 73 for the first wicket, before an unbroken stand of 110 for the third wicket between Matt Sullivan (64 off 34 balls) and Alex Osborne (46 off 32 balls) saw Wivenhoe up to their total. Wivenhoe made early inroads as Coggeshall began their reply reducing the visitors to 8 for 2. However, the linchpin of the Coggeshall innings was Eben Botha who posted 143 from 62 balls, including 13 fours and 10 sixes, before becoming the sixth man out with two runs required for victory. This was duly achieved off the first ball of the 20th over as Coggeshall won by 4 wickets.

After seeing their first match conceded Halstead, began their T20 campaign at Mistley on Thursday, and made it two wins out of two with an eight wicket victory. Mistley batted first and posted 149 for 6 from their 20 overs, with solid input from all the top order, with Callum O’Connell (35) and George Hutton (31) topping thirty. Joe Morris (2 for 24) and Craig Spooner (2 for 28) the key wicket takers for Halstead. The visitors made light work of the reply reaching the target in 13th over, with Ryan Vickery (66 from 39) and Josh Wells (59no from 21 balls) leading the chase with a second wicket stand of 95.

So Sunday, saw on paper, a mouth watering tie at Star Stile as the two unbeaten sides Halstead and Coggeshall met, with the winner almost certainly booking their place at Finals Day. Halstead won the toss and elected to bat, and were in for an early shock as the prolific Max Chu was dismissed first ball, to Kane Addison (2 for 38). However, thereafter it was one way traffic with Ben Lockrose (75) and Ryan Vickery (80) putting on a second wicket stand of 138, before Josh Wells (71no from 25 balls) added to the onslaught with a third wicket stand of 74 with Vickery. Halstead eventually closed at a massive 249 for 3. Coggeshall had no reply to the Halstead total being quickly reduced to 14 for 4. Theo Sivyer (22) was the only player to top twenty as Coggeshall were dismissed for 87 and defeat by 162 runs. All seven Halstead bowlers picked up wickets, with Lockrose (2 for 1), Ed Clark (2 for 8) and Josh King (2 for 16) all picking up braces.

Colchester & E.E and Abberton both started the competition with concessions, so were looking to get their campaigns back into the positive when they met at Castle Park on Sunday. Abberton batted first and made 116 for 6, largely through the efforts of Craig Watts (67no). Josh Elliott (2 for 17) was the stand out bowler for Colchester, although there were economical stints from a number of the home bowlers. In reply, the hosts lost opener Rahul Viswananth cheaply, before Feroze Ahmed (76no) and Liam Wheeler (35no) combined to guide Colchester to a nine wicket success in just over ten overs.

In Division Two, West Bergholt are the new leaders of the division following an eight wicket success at Eight Ash Green. The Green batted first after being inserted and largely through an unbroken third wicket stand of 159 between William Spicer (117no) and Connor Murphy (58no) posted 202 for 2 from their 40 overs. Joe Smith (1 for 21 from 9) bowled a tidy spell for the visitors. The decision to field first was vindicated as Bergholt cruised to victory in just over 28 overs, Jack Mortgomery (121 from 80 balls, which included 13 fours and 8 sixes) dominating the chase.

Unbeaten Great Waltham were beaten at home by bottom side Great Horkesley & Lexden in the shock result of the weekend. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and made solid progress reaching 64 for 3, before a fourth wicket stand of 87 between Vikas Shivesta (39) and Naveed Maan set up a lively end to the innings. Maan taking control to post an unbeaten 141 from 84 balls, with 18 fours and 7 sixes as Great Horkesley & Lexden closed on 261 for 7. In reply, Waltham could never really produce a match winning partnership, losing wickets at regular intervals, after a second wicket stand of 75 between Jamie Carroll (39) and Dean Harman (30) had taken them to 80 for 2. The next top scorer was Kieren Webb (19) as they were bowled out for 152 and defeat by 109 runs. The wickets were shared around for the triumphant visitors, with John Hyde (2 for 7), Khadir Baig (2 for 11), Surath Devage (2 for 21) and Rauf Mann (2 for 21) all returning a pair of wickets.

The only game in Division One, saw visitors Galleywood concede their second match of the season, to Witham who climb up to second place. Galleywood were deducted ten points for their second concession of the season.

Three games in the T30 competition, but unfortunately no scorecards on Play Cricket from any of them, so no reporting this week.

Next week, in Division One, Springfield will be looking to get closer to Halstead with a victory at home to Colchester & E.E.

In Division Two, there is a full programme with leaders West Bergholt entertaining Great Totham. Second placed West Mersea make the trip to third placed Great Waltham, while Great Horkesley & Lexden will be looking to back up this weeks victory with a home match against Eight Ash Green.

T20 action starts on Thursday evening with Abberton hosting Mistley, while on Sunday Halstead can confirm Finals Day participation with a win at home to Galleywood.

Just the two games scheduled in the T30, Sudbury are at home to Kelvedon, while Tendring welcome Coggeshall.