Weekly Round Up

Tight at the top of Division Two, as both first and second placed teams lose.

In Division Two, the top of table has tightened up following the weekend results. Leaders, West Bergholt host a Great Totham side without in victory in its opening four matches. Bztting first after winning the toss, the visitors made an indistinguished start losing both openers with just 13 on the board. However, George Davis (72) and Patrick Tolhurst (36) combined to put on 113 for the third wicket. After their departure it was James Pook who dominated proceedings with an unbeaten 71, although he was given good support from George Baron (35) as Totham reached 258 for 6 at tea. In reply, Bergholt made a good effort of chasing down the total with Sureshraj Anandraj (75) top scoring, however, the decisive bowling spell came from George Davis who capped a fine game by backing up his fifty, with a spell of 4 for 24 from 9 overs as the host were restricted to 233 for 8.

Third placed Great Waltham served up a hammering against the young Mersea side, to bounce back from their unexpected defeat last week. Batting first, Waltham lost three wickets to Joe Wyatt (3 for 41) to slip to 47 for 3. However, after that it was one way traffic as Jamie Carroll (151) and Kieran Webb (66) put on 188 for the fourth wicket. Wicketkeeper Harrison Elles then chipped in with an unbeaten 75 from just 37 balls, as Waltham closed on 359 for 5. In reply, Mersea lost their talisman James Rutter to a duck fifth ball to Matthew Reed, who caused havoc amongst the top order with his nine overs returning 5 for 11. Joe Wyatt (27) and Ruben Butler (31) gave the total some respectability, a last wicket stand of 27 between Butler and Steve Daines taking Mersea to 90.

Great Horkelsey & Lexden after a great result last week against Waltham, were unable to field a side for the second time this season, in their home match with Eight Ash Green. As a result they were deducted 10 points under Rule 15b, second and subsequent concession.

Division One

In Division One, Springfield moved back into a second place following a three wicket win over winless Colchester & E.E. at Coronation Park. Batting first after winning the toss, Colchester were bowled out in the 36th over for 172. Josh Elliott (55) and Ollie Hills (30) top scoring in the Colchester effort. For Springfield, Callum Eva (4 for 36) and Matt Trim (3 for 37) were the main wicket takers after Shan Thevasakayam had taken 2 for 47 at the beginning of the innings. Trim (39) and Charlie Prudence (62) gave the home side a perfect platform in their reply, but when Rahul Viswanath (3 for 11) claimed Prudence as the first of his three wickets, there was a nervy finish in store as Springfield were suddenly seven down, albeit with loads of overs in hand. Callum Eva (13no) help steer Springfield to victory in the 27th over.

T20

On Sunday, Halstead confirmed their place at T20 Finals Day with two games of the qualifying group to spare. Galleywood were the visitors to Star Stile, and could only muster 99 for 8 from their 20 overs. Josh Felton (26) and Jimmy Brace (24) top scoring in their effort. Halstead were able to use nine bowlers, all of which returned tidy figures, Danny Lynn (2 for 7) and Lewis Brennan (2 for 15) were the most successful, although Kyzer Fairbrother (1 for 9 from 4) impressed with economy. Halstead raced to victory in just under ten overs, Danny Lynn (34) succumbing after an opening stand of 97 with Charles Mallett 59no from 25 balls. Matt Howard (1 for 11) was the soul wicket taker for Galleywood.

On Thursday evening there was a much tighter affair at The Brow, where Abberton and Mistley were looking for their first victories in the 2022 competition. Abberton batted first after winning the toss and after losing Benjamin Bowles to the first ball he faced, made brisk progress through a second wicket stand of 90 between Daniel White (51) and Craig Watts. William Bailey (3 for 20) checked the Lions progress, with just Kajeal Tharaneethan (20) and Richard Sestak (12) reaching double figures as they closed at 158 for 6, Watts recording his second fifty of the tournament, undefeated on 59. Mistley lost two wickets cheaply before Sibonelo Makhanya (39 from 21) and Harry Parkes (46 from 36) put on 76 for the third wicket to put the Swans back on course. However, when Elliot Mann (3 for 13) claimed the all important wicket of Parkes, and Shaun Calladine ripped through the tail with 3 for 4, the visitors were bowled out for 135 and defeat by 23 runs.

T30

Sunday’s match at Sudbury, saw the hosts overcome visitors Kelvedon by eight wickets. Thomas Callander (30) and Mark Cottee (37no) top scored to recover the Kelvedon total of 115 for 8 from their 30 overs, after a disastrous start. Thomas Tullin (3 for 5 from 5) and Monty Gwinnel (2 for 12 from 5) causing early mayhem for Sudbury. In reply, Alex Ray (40rno) top scored at the top of the order and with Gwinnel (38no) saw their side to a comfortable victory in 22 overs.

Unfortunately, no details from the Tendring vs Coggeshall match, or any of the three matches that took place on the 19th June

A full programme in Division One as we enter July next week, leaders Halstead make the trip to Clacton, second placed Springfield host Sudbury, while third placed Witham make the trip to Castle Park to face Colchester & E.E.

In Division Two, Great Waltham will be looking to go top as they travel to Eight Ash Green, while Great Totham welcome Great Horkesley & Lexden.

T20 action starts tomorrow night with Colchester & E.E. welcoming unbeaten Halstead, while on Sunday, Abberton welcome champions Coggeshall, and Galleywood host Mistley.

There are two games in the T30, Coggeshall host Copford and Kelvedon & Feering welcome West Bergholt.