3rd XI promoted and 2nd XI safe from relegation

2010 Season
by rayleigh

The 1st XI travelled to Writtle who batted first and were bowled out for 185, Ian Bryant taking 5–36 and Jim Ewing 3–27. This target seemed well within reach at tea but at 81–8 looked impossible. However, a 9th wicket stand of 44 between Marcus Cornish and Mike Law gave the side a little hope and a tenth wicket stand of 60 between Marcus (98*) and Richard Abley levelled the scores and meant the 1st XI needed 1 run from the last over to win. Unfortunately Richard chipped a wide first ball straight to gully to leave the match a tie, a result which seemed highly improbable earlier in the innings. This result leaves the 1st XI in third place with equal points to Burnham Sports in second place but Burnham would go up if the points are still equal after next week’s final game by virtue of a greater number of wins. The four top teams in the Division play each other next Saturday so there is all to play for and the 1st XI have to win and score more points than Burnham to secure the club’s first promotion to the top division in the Mid-Essex League.

The 2nd XI entertained a strong Ingatestone 2nd XI and were put into bat and scored 204–6, James Ellis (85) and Phil Wollf (37) top scoring. The vistors passed this total for the loss of 4 wickets. Despite this defeat, results elsewhere mean the 2nd XI will remain in Division 5 next year.

The 3rd XI travelled to Burnham 2s and bowled them out for 136, Paul Davis taking 5–47 and Tony Catling 4–30. Paul Dudmsh (61) and Richard Verrinder had an opening stand of 73 which was followed by a mini collapse but the 3rd XI held on to win by 4 wickets to ensure promotion to Division 7. They require 7 points from next week’s final game to ensure promotion as champions.

The 4th XI entertained Eastwood 3rd XI at the Wickford Memorial Ground and batting first scored 230, Brad Walker (66) again top scoring. They then bowled out the visitors for 132, Richard Mantell taking 3–33. This victory means that the 4th XI need 3 points from their last game to ensure they will remain in Division 10 next year.

The 5th XI visited bottom of the table Eastwood 4th XI and batting first were bowled out for 147 not helped by two unfortunate run outs. Duncan Bond (41)and Andy Thurogood (27) were the top scorers. With the visitors at 50–5 in reply a victory looked on the cards but a 6th wicket stand by Morrant and Mason saw Eastwood home by 5 wickets.

The 6th XIentertained Old Chelmsfordians 5th XI at Gloucester Park and put the visitors into bat. Tight bowling by Luke Sullivan 4–13 off 10 overs, Matt Dobson, who had 3 catches dropped off his bowling, Nick Buckley and David Hall resticted the visitors to an all out total of 115. At 16–4 off 8 overs another low score looked on the cards but Neil Dobson (56*) and Nick Buckley (52*) shared a century stand to give the 6th XI a victory by 6 wickets.

3rd XI promoted and 2nd XI safe from relegation

The 1st XI travelled to Writtle who batted first and were bowled out for 185, Ian Bryant taking 5–36 and Jim Ewing 3–27. This target seemed well within reach at tea but at 81–8 looked impossible. However, a 9th wicket stand of 44 between Marcus Cornish and Mike Law gave the side a little hope and a tenth wicket stand of 60 between Marcus (98*) and Richard Abley levelled the scores and meant the 1st XI needed 1 run from the last over to win. Unfortunately Richard chipped a wide first ball straight to gully to leave the match a tie, a result which seemed highly improbable earlier in the innings. This result leaves the 1st XI in third place with equal points to Burnham Sports in second place but Burnham would go up if the points are still equal after next week’s final game by virtue of a greater number of wins. The four top teams in the Division play each other next Saturday so there is all to play for and the 1st XI have to win and score more points than Burnham to secure the club’s first promotion to the top division in the Mid-Essex League.

The 2nd XI entertained a strong Ingatestone 2nd XI and were put into bat and scored 204–6, James Ellis (85) and Phil Wollf (37) top scoring. The vistors passed this total for the loss of 4 wickets. Despite this defeat, results elsewhere mean the 2nd XI will remain in Division 5 next year.

The 3rd XI travelled to Burnham 2s and bowled them out for 136, Paul Davis taking 5–47 and Tony Catling 4–30. Paul Dudmsh (61) and Richard Verrinder had an opening stand of 73 which was followed by a mini collapse but the 3rd XI held on to win by 4 wickets to ensure promotion to Division 7. They require 7 points from next week’s final game to ensure promotion as champions.

The 4th XI entertained Eastwood 3rd XI at the Wickford Memorial Ground and batting first scored 230, Brad Walker (66) again top scoring. They then bowled out the visitors for 132, Richard Mantell taking 3–33. This victory means that the 4th XI need 3 points from their last game to ensure they will remain in Division 10 next year.

The 5th XI visited bottom of the table Eastwood 4th XI and batting first were bowled out for 147 not helped by two unfortunate run outs. Duncan Bond (41)and Andy Thurogood (27) were the top scorers. With the visitors at 50–5 in reply a victory looked on the cards but a 6th wicket stand by Morrant and Mason saw Eastwood home by 5 wickets.

The 6th XI entertained Old Chelmsfordians 5th XI at Gloucester Park and put the visitors into bat. Tight bowling by Luke Sullivan 4–13 off 10 overs, Matt Dobson, who had 3 catches dropped off his bowling, Nick Buckley and David Hall resticted the visitors to an all out total of 115. At 16–4 off 8 overs another low score looked on the cards but Neil Dobson (56*) and Nick Buckley (52*) shared a century stand to give the 6th XI a victory by 6 wickets.