Weekly Round Up

The final four for T20 Finals Day was decided as the Group stage comes to an end. Halstead and Witham continued their battle for the Division One title by both picking up wins on Sunday.

Division One

At Star Stile, Halstead entertained Springfield and after winning the toss elected to bat. Half centuries for Adam Morris (73) and Ed Clark (60), and important 34 from Clalum Hansey were largely responsible for Halstead posting 193 all out. Noah Pothen (4 for 17) was the stand out bowler for the visitors. However, Springfield had no response to early bowling spells from Ed Clark (3 for 14) and Josh King (3 for 16) as they slumped to 46 for 6. Andrew Oval (28) top scored for Springfield as they were bowled out for 104.

A free scoring game at The Parks, where Witham hosted Colchester & E.E. Witham won the toss and elected to field, and the visitors made good progress through Rahul Viswanath (58) and Ben Robinson (88). Josh Elliott (42) also contributed well as Colchester posted 272 all out in 40 overs. Oscar Burley (4 for 43) was the pick of the Witham bowlers. Witham openers, Michael Godwin (48) and Onke Nyaku gave Witham the perfect start in the run chase, Nyaku dictating the pace of the reply with an unbeaten 166. Ollie Cooke (23) was the only other player to reach double figures, as Witham won by 4 wickets with four overs to spare.

Division Two

Great Totham are the new leaders in Division Two, following an excellent run chase at Bull Meadow against Eight Ash Green. The Green batted first and posted 286 for 8 from their 40 overs, with William Spicer (63) and Ethan Wyatt putting on a century stand for the second wicket. Wyatt was unlucky not to record a century, becoming fifth man out on 213 for 96. Nitya Patel (30no) and Luke Coppin (17no) put on a lively unbeaten eighth wicket stand of 43 to take the Green up to their tea time total. Jack Robinson (3 for 39) was the most successful of the Totham bowlers. An opening stand of 98 between Stuart Pearson (24) and Satendra Singh (68) gave the home side a solid start, before Nitya Patel (3 for 61) nicked out three wickets to see Totham 151 for 4. Tim Logue (33) and skipper James Pook then put on a partnership of 55, for the fifth wicket, before Pook (98no) dominated an unbeaten match winning sixth wicket stand of 84, with Tom Wheeler (4no from 10 balls)

T20

Mistley booked the fourth and final place at Finals Day, with a three wicket win over Wivenhoe last Thursday. Matt Sullivan (46) and Eddie Lucking (50) top scored in Wivenhoe’s 153 for 5, while Sibonelo Makhanya (3 for 8 from 4) put in an impressive spell with the ball. A solid middle order display from Callum O’Connell (32), Dylan Day (26) and George Hutton (35) then guided the Swans towards the target, but it needed a last ball boundary from Alastair Day (4no) to see Mistley to victory.

Abberton claimed the spoils in their final match at Galleywood. The hosts batted first, and posted 161 for 6 from their 20 overs. Tom Nurcombe (67no) and L Hasp (47) top scored in the Galleywood total. Tom Sawdon (3 for 22) was the most successful of the Lions bowlers, although Alex Terry (1 for 16 from 4) bowled a very economic spell. Abberton’s run chase was held together by Kajeai Tharaneetharan (66), with good support from Daniel White (23), Elliot Mann (21) and Nathan Schofield (19) as Abberton won by 6 wickets with 9 balls to spare.

Last night there was a shock for unbeaten Halstead in the final game of the group stage, which blemished their spotless T20 campaign. Batting first at Wivenhoe, Halstead slumped to 42 for 9, with Jamie Lucking (4 for 7 from 4) impressing. Alex Osborne (2 for 11) from 4 also bowled economically. Last man Josh King (41) gave Halstead something to defend, with the last pair putting on 49 to take the Halstead total to 91 all out. Wivenhoe then eased to an eight wicket victory in 11 overs, with Sahil Shah (42 from 34 balls) top scoring.

The semi final line up on Finals Day on August 28th at Halstead, will see Halstead play Mistley, while champions Coggeshall will play Wivenhoe.

T30

Kelvedon vs Witham – No details from this match

Next weekend, Witham can go to the top of Division One as they host Clacton, while unfortunately Galleywood have once again conceded their match at Colchester & E.E. In Division Two, Great Walsham will be looking to go back to the top of the division as they seek revenge on Great Horkesley & Lexden, who beat them earlier in the season. Eight Ash Green host West Mersea in the other game.

T30 action sees leaders Brightlingsea travel to Great Bentley, while Tendring welcome Sudbury.