Kevin Hewes

Division One Witham maintained their unbeaten start with a third straight win at home to Clacton on Sunday. Clacton batted first after losing the toss, and posted 188 for 4 from their 40 overs. Skipper Kieron Parkes scored an unbeaten 74 from 83 balls, and received good support from Luke Sumner (32no) in an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 102. Joe Fowler had earlier scored 46 at the top of the order, before becoming the third of Ashton Lawrence's wickets (3 for 21). In reply, Witham eased to a five wicket success, largely through the efforts at the top of the order from Michael Godwin (66 from 66 balls), but with useful contributions throughout from Ben Tinham (26), Christopher Garrard (24) and Hamad Arshad (21no) eased to victory at the beginning of the 36th over. Shaun Mathews picked up 3 for 38, as the visitors collected 2 bowling points. Springfield upset last season's runners up Halstead at Coronation Park, with a six wicket success. Halstead batted first after losing the toss and with the exception of James Tyson (85) and Sam Johnson (34) struggled against the Springfield bowling. Indeed they were the only two players to reach double figures, as [...Continue Reading]

The first couple of weeks of the new NECL season has been blighted by the weather, but nevertheless cricket has taken place. In Division One, champions Witham have opened up with two home victories. On 30th April they entertained Sudbury at The Parks, and with half centuries from Michael Headley (73), Harrison McDonald (70) and Ben Tinham (55) posted 203 for 3 from their 40 overs. The Sudbury reply got off to worst possible start as both openers were returned to the pavilion with ducks to their name. It got little better, with five ducks being recorded in the innings, and Daniel Fisher (36) top scoring. Oscar Burley (3 for 16) and two wickets a piece for Ashton Lawrence and James Streetley were the standout performances with the ball for Witham, as Sudbury were dismissed for 104 and defeat by 99 runs. On the 7th May, Witham entertained last season’s Runners Up Halstead, and made it two wins from two with a 78 run win. Batting first centurions Christopher Garrard (132no) and Hamad Arshad (103) scored the bulk of the score as Witham posted 286 for 5. In reply, Halstead secured full batting points by scoring 209 all out in [...Continue Reading]

The 2023 NECL season got off to an excellent start with Sudbury and Colchester & E.E. providing a thrilling finish. With the weather in the previous week, causing groundsmen all over the county no end of problems in preparation, it was remarkable that the game went ahead. In a game reduced to 35 overs per side, it was Sudbury who took first knock after Colchester & E.E. won the toss. The Sudbury top order all made good starts without going on to post anything big, indeed the highest score of the day came from Ben Reece (47 for 41 balls, including 4 sixes). Isaac Tombs (39), Jordan Morris (29) and Jonathan Amos (25no) boosted the total to 188 for 6. Jonty Ray (2 for 28) was the most successful of the visiting bowlers. Darren Eckford (29) and Joe Austin (27) gave the visitors a solid base in their reply, before Jonathan Amos (3 for 44) claimed both their wickets. The Colchester reply was then very much dependent on a middle order stand between Keir Young (26) and Jonty Ray (36), after a number of wickets tumbled. Jordan Morris (2 for 29) and Ben Reece (2 for 31) also amongst the [...Continue Reading]

Great Totham extend their lead in Division Two Division One Colchester & E.E. beat Springfield by 6 wickets, chasing 145 – that is all the detail we have so Colchester & E.E. will be fined £10 for late submission of full scorecard. Galleywood conceded their home match to Sudbury Division Two In Division Two Great Totham extended their lead at the top with a 43 run victory at home to West Bergholt. After losing two early wickets a third wicket stand of 72 between Ryan Kennedy (49) and Joe Davis, followed by a fourth wicket stand of 78 between Joe Davis (71) and Tim Logue (31) set the home side up for a big score. Some late cameos then saw a further 70 runs added as Totham were bowled out for 242. Owen Jones (3 for 40) and Mahesh Maheshwar (3 for 31) picking up the bulk of the wickets. In reply, Ed Hance (29), Harvey Borges (45) and Sam Borges (46) saw the visitors well placed at 117 for 2. However, a decisive bowling spell of 5 for 23 from Joe Davis swung the game in the favour of Totham, and despite a late flourish from Sreenath Kamatham [...Continue Reading]