Chelmsford Sport

Seven-of-a-kind for Chelmsford

1:57pm Thursday 2nd September 2010

CRICKET: Seven wins from seven games made it a fairly spectacular weekend for Chelmsford. Three teams entered the final week in exciting positions where they might end the season as champions, while the firsts play Wanstead for second place.

A good innings from Nick Prowting helped the firsts end their two- match losing spell at Loughton, while the seconds had a comfortable nine-wicket win over Loughton. Imran Akhtar picked up five wickets as Loughton struggled to 126. James Redman (71*) batted well with Matt Hammond (36) supporting most of the way.

Barry Clayden played the key innings for the thirds, who ultimately ran out comfortable winners after seeming to struggle with the bat. Winmill (4-58) bowled an excellent spell to keep Chelmsford in check, but Clayden’s 85 carried Chelmsford to 193 for seven. Chelmsford’s bowlers were in good form and saw off the visitors for 77, Tom Halsey (4-18) led the way after Anthony Holland (2-17) made inroads and Neal Abhyankar (2-17) was also among the wickets.

Haris Mahmood’s unbeaten 61 was the stand-out performance as the fourths won by nine wickets at Hornchurch. Alistair Fergus took four for 26 in Hornchurch’s 107. Mahmood showed his composure and skill in the chase, Chris Drain giving solid support.

The earliest finish was at Leigh as the fifth team bowled out the home side for just 18. Aaron Beard (2-4) and Adi Vohra (2-4)) destroyed the top order. Matt Davis (3-6) and Steve Bond (3-2) tucked into the tail. Chelmsford lost two wickets before achieving the 19 needed.

The thirds, fourths and fifths are locked in very close battles.

The thirds are level on points with Shenfield, but top by virtue of more wins. The fourths are top by a single point ahead of Hutton. The fifths have secured promotion, but are two points behind leaders Wanstead.

Liam Thrift scored a century and Darren Butt took five wickets as the sixths beat Stock fourths. Green took three for 18 in Chelmsford’s 212 for eight, an innings dominated by Thrift (125*). Butt claimed five for 9 in Stock’s 81.

The Sunday firsts were hit by a downpour and their match against Hornchurch Athletic was abandoned. The visitors were enjoying batting against Jack Sterland’s 20-20 mixture of slow bouncers and yorkers and were reasonably placed at 50 for one.

The Sunday second team finally got an away win, beating Mountnessing by 84 runs. Matt Davis rescued a poor Chelmsford batting display with 37 to carry the score to 141. Aaron Beard (3-18) removed the top order and the reply collapsed to 57 all out.

The Saturday firsts’ win over Loughton effectively secures Chelmsford a top three finish, with an opportunity to finish second with a win at home to Wanstead on Saturday.

After all the rain, the game started an hour late as a 45-over a side contest.

The two openers took the score to 56 before Matthew Poole removed Gareth James for 28. Richie Bann continued to strike well, but the pitch was increasingly difficult to bat on as it dried.

Fahran Mahmood struck with a ball that climbed sharply, but Loughton progressed to 111-2 before skipper Bann was dismissed by Mark Drain for 51.

With the surface taking prodigious turn and erratic bounce, the home side’s batting rather fell away. Poole, with two for 41, Mark Drain three for 41 and Paul Court three for 32 all got in on the act and Rob Hayto (0-26) bowled economically to restrict the score to 170 for nine.

Chelmsford set about the innings in positive fashion. Paul Jones was quick to capitalise on anything short in a positive 26 before his dismissal.

Nick Prowting gave a fine knock of 61 and Chelmsford remained ahead of the rate.

A short, heavy downpour saw the target reduced to 144 from 38 overs and Chris Prowting (14 not out) joined his brother to ease Chelmsford home. Chelmsford ran home five-wicket winners.

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