Chelmsford Sport

Double delight for Stock cricketers

1:56pm Thursday 2nd September 2010

STOCK Cricket Club is celebrating after wrapping up a superb T Rippon League championship double.

The club’s third team claimed the division nine championship on the last day of the season after a dramatic 19-run win over Willow Herbs in a winner takers all, first versus second place clash.

The triumph came hot on the heels of the club’s second team romping to the division four title, losing just one match all season.

On a tricky Admirals Park wicket which had been badly hit by the week’s heavy rain, Stock batted first and their total of 171 always looked a competitive one. Jon Waring, with 39, and Jake Hiskett (37) top scored.

Herbs were always struggling, but some late resistance from McArthey (42) put them in with a sniff of an unlikely win before Dan Porter claimed the vital last wicket. Waring (3 for 30) and Ben Froment (3 for 34), were Stock’s best bowlers.

Eastwood grabbed the second promotion place, meaning heartache for Old Chelmsfordians, who had to settle for third.

Stock thirds captain Scott Boxer said: “We’ve won eight matches in a row to win the league, so it’s been a great achievement.

“It’s been a pleasure to captain such a good bunch of lads.”

Meanwhile, in division two, Great Baddow trounced Danbury by nine wickets to secure the title.

It was a just reward for some consistently excellent cricket throughout the season. Herongate had already been promoted, and this made their result irrelevant with regards to positions in the table. They batted first against Rankins and scored 207 all out before the visitors achieved this score for the loss of seven wickets, Rafferty top scoring with 84, a result that lifts them up to third position in the league.

At the other end of the table, South Weald were at home to Canvey, needing a win to have at least a chance of avoiding relegation.

They batted first and scored a respectable 242 for 5 off their 45 overs, thanks to an excellent 106 from Courts.

In reply, the visitors finished on 110 for 8, giving the home side a 132-run victory.

So, all eyes were on Coronation Park, where Springfield IIs hosted Broomfield who won the toss and put the home team in to bat. They struggled to achieve a meaningful score and eventually finished on 175 for 8 off their alloted overs, Andy Frost top scoring with 45 and Nur the leading wicket-taker with 4 for 45 off his 12 overs.

The visitors, despite 54 from Sanjay Mishra and 31 from Chris O’Riordan, also struggled and got home in the final over for a five wicket win, condemning Springfield IIs to division three next year, and sparking celebrations at South Weald, who had occupied one of the two bottom places all season, only to avoid relegation in their last match.

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