Weekly Round Up

Halstead are back on top of Division One, following a home victory to Colchester & E.E.

Division One

Halstead regained the lead of Division One after a comfortable five wicket success over Colchester & E.E. at Star Stile. Batting first the visitors were largely indebted to opener Rahul Viswanath (76) and a final flourish from Simon Fernandes (30no) to get them up to their tea time total of 171 for 6. Kyzer Fairbrother (1 for 20 from 7) probably the pick of the home bowlers. In reply, Halstead cruised to victory in 23 overs, with James Tyson (44), Shair Sullaman (31) and Josh King (27) all contributing well. CL Fernandes picked up 3 for 19 for Colchester.

Despondent bowlers at Friars Road, where Sudbury and Clacton shared over 600 runs for the loss of five wickets ! Clacton batted first and racked up 308 for 3 from their 40 overs with Kian Schwartz (107) and Daniel Loveless (107) both posting centuries. Jatinder Singh (33) and Matthew O’Brien (27no) also adding to the total. Sudbury’s Ewan Day was the most successful bowler on the day, picking up 2 for 48 from his 5 overs. Sudbury made relatively easy work of the chase, with Darren Batch (103 from 60 balls) and Paddy Sadler (82) giving them a good start. Josh Smith (51no from 34 balls) and Tom Park (47no from 30 balls) then guided the home side to success with three and half overs to spare. Peter Mann (2 for 61) picked the two Sudbury wickets to fall.

Springfield picked up twenty points without taking to the field, as relegated Galleywood conceded again.

Division Two

Great Totham are top of Division Two following a 114 run win at West Mersea. Patrick Tolhurst (127, including 27 fours) was the top scorer in Totham’s 237 all out, Joshua Chadwick (34) the next highest. With the potential score looking very high, Mersea fought back well, largely through James Rutter (4 for 29) and Matt Williamson (2 for 6) as the last six wickets fell for seven runs. In reply, Rutter hit 61 from 53 balls, and late flamboyant knock from Angus Lockhart (22) got the islanders up to 123. Tom Wheeler (4 for 27), Max Clarke (2 for 15) and Harry Pugh (2 for 16) the chief wicket takers.

Great Waltham have a game in hand and can leapfrog Totham, they picked up an easy 20 points on Sunday as Great Horkelsey & Lexden conceded their match.

West Bergholt were in a hurry to chase down Eight Ash Green’s 160 for 8 at the Manor Ground, successfully reaching the target in 20 overs. Eight Ash Green’s 160 was largely made up from Jack Axon (35), William Spicer (32) and Matthew Murray (29no). Tidy spells from Joe Smith (3 for 29 from 9) and Thomas Banks (2 for 24 from 9) largely keeping the Green;s batting subdued. Bergholt then made light work of the response with Harvey Borges (101no) dominating the reply, with Bergholt winning by 5 wickets.

T30

There were two competitive games in the T30,

Unbeaten leaders Brightlingsea edged a thriller at Copford. Copford batted first and posted 149 all out from 29.3 overs, with Jonny Blanke (51no) the only player to score more than fifteen. Thomas Griffiths (4 for 52) was the most successful of the Brightlingsea bowlers, with Dave Gregory also picking up 2 for 16. Copford bowlers Samuel Lawson (4 for 8 from 5) and Ben Lawson (3 for 18) put Brightlingsea under pressure. Alex Milsom (34) and Rowan Hunt (24) top scored as Brightlingsea edged closer to the target. However in the end it was down to a last wicket stand between Morgan Hatch (10no) and Richard Hunt (1no) to the coastal side across the line.

Meanwhile at Witham, West Bergholt got the better of their hosts in another close finish. Batting first Ryan O’Callaghan (4 for 33) put Bergholt under pressure, despite Tim Longman (25) and Chris Jones (23), putting in solid knocks. Thomas Johnson (50no) then scored well towards the end of the innings to get Bergholt up to their score of 182 for 5. In reply, Jack Burrows (71) lead the reply well, and it looked as though Witham were going to achieve a victory. However, his dismissal 23 runs short of the target changed the complex of the game. Ben Longman (3 for 23) and Jack Myers (2 for 26) were the pick of the bowlers, and despite an unbeaten 51 from Ben Tinham, Witham were to fall seven runs short.

In the other game, Kelvedon defeated Chappel & Wakes Colne, with their opponents conceding the game.

Next week, in Division One, Colchester & E.E take on Springfield at Castle Park, while unfortunately, Galleywood have already conceded their game at home to Sudbury.

In Division Two, leaders Great Totham host West Bergholt in their final game.

While in the T30, Coggeshall are at home to Witham, and undefeated Brightlingsea travel to Kelvedon.