Weekly Round Up

Wins for both Halstead and Springfield at the top of Division One

Halstead remain top of Division One, following an emphatic 69 run victory at champions Clacton on Sunday. Batting first, the Halstead innings was dominated by Ryan Vickery who smashed an unbeaten 148 from 113 deliveries, which included 24 fours, as Halstead posted 287 for 5. Daniel Williams was the most successful of the home bowlers with 2 for 60 from his nine overs. In reply, a third wicket stand of 124 between James Lee (52) and Daniel Williams (80) was the main substance of the Clacton reply, but with Kyzer Fairbrother (4 for 42), Callum Hansey (2 for 35) and Regan Hoadley (2 for 2) taking wickets they were bowled out for 218.

Springfield are still in the Halstead slip stream, after they won by 9 wickets at home to Sudbury. Nat Wilkes (31) was the top scorer for Sudbury, with Paddy Sadler (29) and Jonathan Amos (28) also contributing. However, spells from Callum Eva (4 for 22) and Matt Trim (3 for 35) saw the visitors bowled out for 141 in 37 overs. Freddie Williams (45), Max Williams (46no) and Charlie Prudence (49no) then saw Springfield race to victory in 24 overs.

It would appear that Witham beat Colchester & E.E. at Castle Park by 10 wickets, but as the result was not reported on the day, or the full scorecard uploaded to Play Cricket within 48 hours the result secretary is unable to corroborate that – resulting in £30 in fines for Colchester & E.E.

A thrilling match at Eight Ash Green, saw Great Waltham defeated for the second time this season but nevertheless they have now gone top. Batting first, Eight Ash Green posted 207 for 9 from their 40 overs, with William Spicer (58) and Jack Axon (60) both posting half centuries. James Taylor (2 for 35) and Joel Barker (2 for 11) both took a pair of wickets for Waltham. In reply, a half century from the in form Jamie Carroll (53) gave the visitors a solid enough start. However, tidy spells from Ethan Wyatt (2 for 29) and Luke Coppin (2 for 26) were then backed up by a match winning spell of 4 for 54, from Dev Agrawal as the Greast Waltham reply faltered. Requiring 15 from the last over, last pair Matt Reed (31no) and Gavin Reed only managed seven to see the Green win by 7 runs.

The other game in Division Two saw Great Totham pick up twenty points without having to take to the field, as opponents Great Horkesley & Lexden conceded for the third time this season.

Halstead maintained their unbeaten run in the T20, with a fifth successive victory on Thursday at Castle Park. Bizarrely, Colchester managed to field twelve players in the game, using a substitute batter ! For future reference just the eleven players who are named on the team card are permitted to play. Halstead batted first and were indebted to 48 from skipper Josh Wells from 26 balls, as they faltered to 95 for 6. However, from this point, Josh King (36) and Charles Mallett (36) put on a seventh wicket stand of 69 to put Halstead into a position of authority. Oscar Baker (2 for 41) and Josh Elliott (2 for 21) were the most successful of the Colchester bowlers. In reply, once Colchester lost openers Feroze Ahmed (18) and Joe MacGregor cheaply, it was only Josh Elliott (34) who managed to put a score together as the hosts were restricted to 109 for 9. The pick of the bowlers for Halstead was Ben Lockrose who returned 2 for 8.

Coggeshall remain in pole position to join Halstead on Finals Day, following a nine wicket success at Abberton on Sunday. Batting first, Abberton posted 147 for 9 from their 20 overs, with Elliot Mann (27) and Tom Sawdon (24no) top scoring. Kane Addison picked up 2 for 30 for the visitors. Eben Botha (65no from 37 balls) and Trevon Garraway (61 from 41) then made victory a formality with an opening stand of 138, with a nine wicket victory accomplished shortly afterwards in the 14th over.

Mistley were also victorious on Sunday, with a 46 run win at Galleywood. Batting first, Sibonelo Makhanya (60) and Callum O’Connell (53) gave the Swans a good platform to post a big score. Sam Wicks (3 for 35) and Josh Felton (3 for 37) both picked up wickets for Galleywood, but Heshan Mahendra (33) and Tom Young (18no) saw Mistley up to 218 for 7. Mistley were always able to keep control of the reply, despite half centuries from David Wicks (51no) and Charlie Murray (57), as Galleywood were restricted to 171 for 5.

A high scoring game in the T30 at Coggeshall, saw visitors Copford chase down 194 with eleven balls to spare. Coggeshall opener Callum Stott (69) top scored, while the lower order lead by Sam Blackwell (34) and Balian Rutherford (23) also contributed as Coggeshall reached their score of 194 all out. Copford openers Luke Presmeg (53) and Terry Soteriou (52) both retired, before David Addington (48 from 30 balls) saw Copford to a victory.

No details from the other game, apart from West Bergholt defeated Kelvedon & Feering by five wickets, after Kelvedon posted 152 for 7.

Another busy programme in Division One next weekend, leaders Halstead have a potential banana skin with a trip to Witham. Elsewhere, Colchester & E.E. welcome Sudbury, while Galleywood are home to Clacton.

In Division Two, the top three are all in action, leaders Great Waltham travel to third placed West Mersea, while second placed West Bergholt welcome Coggeshall.

Just the one T20 game this week, with Colchester & E.E. welcoming Wivenhoe to Castle Park.

Finally, in the T30, Copford have a double whammy this weekend, on Saturday they welcome Great Bentley and then on Sunday, West Bergholt are the visitors. Also on Sunday, Coggeshall welcome Kelvedon & Feering.