Kevin Hewes

Division One Springfield defeated Witham for the second time this season, a result that would seem to end Witham's defence of the NECL Division One title. Batting first after winning the toss, centuries from Charlie Prudence (156no) and Aaron Salil (107) in the a third wicket stand of 142, and a half century from Callum Eva (53) propelled Springfield to 354 for 4 from their 40 overs. In reply, there were solid knocks from Christopher Garrard (40) and Ben Tinham (59), but a decisive spell of 4 for 25 from 25 balls by Shan Thevasakayam eventually saw Witham slide to 193 all out and defeat by 161 runs. Elsewhere in Division One, Colchester & E.E. conceded for the third time this time resulting in another 10 point deduction and seeing them slide to the foot of the table. Halstead were the beneficiaries on this occasion. Sudbury's match at home to West Bergholt was cancelled due to the Sudbury ground being used by Suffolk CCC in entertaining Northumberland CCC in the Quarter Finals of the Minor Counties one day cup. Both Sudbury and West Bergholt receive six points. Division Two Galleywood kept the pressure on the leaders Chelmsford with a 166 [...Continue Reading]

Division One There was no let up between the top two in Division One in Week 10, with both Witham and Clacton recording victories. Witham made the trip to West Bergholt, and after winning the toss and electing to bat made heavy weather, as Joe Smith (3 for 24) and Mustafa Irshad (3 for 16) shared the first six wickets with not a lot of runs on the board. Jack Bamford (63) rescued the innings, and a good last wicket stand between Benjamin Hunt (17no) and Cam Wilson (15no) got Witham up to 161 for 9 from their 40 overs. In reply, Bergholt were soon in trouble as Cam Wilson (4 for 20 from 9) decimated the top order. Dean Conybeare (21) and Lee Greenleaf (20) were the only batters to reach 20, as the host were bowled out for 109 to leave Witham victors by 52 runs. Victory was much more simpler for Clacton, as for the second week running Colchester & E.E. conceded, resulting in them receiving a 10 point deduction. Sudbury scored their first victory of the campaign with a six wicket success over neighbours Halstead. Halstead batted first after winning the toss at Star Stile, and [...Continue Reading]

Division One The top two beat the rain, and picked up 20 points each in differing circumstances on Sunday. Leaders Witham were given the afternoon off, after Colchester & E.E. conceded their match. Clacton hosted Halstead at Vista Road, and batting first after winning the toss, recovered from losing skipper Kieran Parkes for a duck. Shaun Mathews (54 from 43) and James Lee (81) put on 95 for the second wicket. However, only middle order batters Luke Sumner (20) and Pierson Mann (15) were able to reach double figures from the rest of the line up, and the dismissal of Lee then saw the last five wickets fall for 3 runs, as Clacton were bowled out for 208. Callum Hansey (3 for 23) running through the lower order. In reply, Halstead seemed to be cruising toward 20 points, as James Tyson (27 off 14), Matthew Tyson (38 off 34) and Hayden Plumb (47 off 56) raced them to 105 for 1, after 12 overs. The score progressed to 141 for 2, before Luke Sumner (6 for 36) bowled a decisive spell which saw the last seven wickets fall for 25 runs and bowled out for 166, and defeat by 42 [...Continue Reading]

Division One Clacton maintained the early season pressure on Witham, by overcoming Springfield by 46 runs at Coronation Park. Batting first the Clacton innings was built on a second wicket stand of 185 between Joe Fowler (147 from 109 balls) and James Lee (75no from 89 balls) as they posted 274 for 3 from their 40 overs. Springfield made a spirited chase, but it was a case of too many good starts not being converted into meaningful scores as they were dismissed for 228. Opener Jack Whisker (41) top scored, while there were three wickets each for Michael Bird (3 for 42) and Pierson Mann (3 for 56). Halstead claimed their first win of the Division One campaign at the third attempt, with an eight wicket victory over West Bergholt. The visitors posted 194 for 5 from their 40 overs, with Jack Montgomery (70), Matt Conybeare (43) and Sureshraj Anandraj (33no) all contributing useful efforts. Halstead lost both openers with just 16 on the board, before Ryan Vickery (104no) and Josh King (74no) combined for an unbroken third wicket stand of 179 to see Halstead home with 11 overs to spare. Division Two Great Bentley successfully chased down Eight Ash [...Continue Reading]

Division Two Chelmsford made it four from four with a 66 run win at local rivals Galleywood. A half century from Dinil Siriwardana (53) was the main input to the Chelmsford innings, with Harry Jacobs (4 for 30) and John Barritt (4 for 41) regularly chipping away at the wickets as Chelmsford were bowled out for 210. In reply, Jacobs (52) was the only player to score above 20 for Galleywood, as they were bowled out for 144. Chelmsford skipper Ben Lawrence picking up another four wicket haul with 4 for 23. Great Bentley eased to a nine wicket success over West Mersea at The Green. Ten man Mersea were bowled for 100 in the 30th over, with only Joe Wyatt (46) reaching double figures. Alfie Youngs (3 for 1) quickly mopping up the tail. Youngs (35no) then combined with Michael Wright (43no) in a second wicket stand of 77 as Bentley reached the target in 13 overs. T20 T20 action took place on Thursday 1st, with Colchester & E.E. welcoming Mistley to Castle Park. Matthew Spoors (33) again top scored for Mistley, and with George Hutton (24), Alex Hood (21no) and Harry Parkes (20) all playing cameos, Mistley reached [...Continue Reading]

Division One Champions Witham's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end at Springfield, with the hosts posting a season high of 342 for 6. Callum Eva (158 from 104 balls) was the mainstay of the Springfield innings, but received good support from fellow opener Arnav Lanka (38), Iestyn Powell (48) in a second wicket stand of 134, becoming fifth man out on 273. There was still time for some fireworks from Ushanathan Thevasakayam who blasted an unbeaten 43 from 22 balls to see Springfield up to their mammoth total. A number of the Witham batters reached double figures in the reply, but never threatened the target. Harrison McDonald (37) and James Streetley (34) top scoring, while Matt Trim picked up 4 for 11 as Witham were dismissed for 186 and defeat by 156 runs. Division Two Eight Ash Green picked up 20 points as West Mersea conceded their match. T30 Copford got the better of West Bergholt in their T30 fixture by a slender 12 run margin in a good competitive game. Finlay Owen and Ben Lawson both retired 50 not out as Copford posted 159 for 7 from their 30 overs. Ben Longman for West Bergholt [...Continue Reading]

Division One West Bergholt claimed their first victory in Division One in 2023 season, with a 44 run victory over Sudbury. Batting first, Bergholt recovered from the early loss of Jack Montgomery, with Ed Hance (48) and Will Main (59) putting on a healthy second wicket stand. The innings stalled in the later stages with only Joe Smith (14no) and Tea Thota (13) reaching double figures, as Morgan Waldock (3 for 28), Oliver Bradbury (2 for 22) and Thomas Tullin (2 for 39) took regular wickets. West Bergholt closed at 193 for 8 from their 40 overs. Kenny Moutlon-Day (57) and Keenan Waldock (31) got the Sudbury reply off to a solid enough start, but the introduction of Mohammed Ramali (3 for 15 from 9) and James Aldridge (2 for 24 from 9) stemmed the flow of runs. Sudbury were restricted to 149 for 7 from their 40 overs. Division Two Chelmsford made it three out three in Division Two, with an eight wicket victory over West Mersea at Chelmer Park. Mersea won the toss and elected to bat, but with only Marcus Hobson (24), Matthew Taylor-Smith (12) and James Rutter (11) reaching double figures the visitors were skilled for [...Continue Reading]