CHELMSFORD Cricket Club enjoyed a positive weekend despite selection problems as the holiday season took its toll.

The top three Saturday sides won comfortably and the fourths and fifths acquitted themselves well. On Sunday, the Warsop T20 trophy was retained by a side in which every member had come through the colts.

The first team turned in a thoroughly professional performance with bat and ball – although not in the field – as they completed an eight-wicket win over Buckhurst Hill.

For the third time this season, the seconds won at home before tea, the victims this time were Woodford Wells. Paul Jones picked up 3-6 and Tom Halsey mesmerised four batsmen as the visitors totalled 84. Gary Chidley and Jack Moss knocked the runs off without loss.

An excellent win for the thirds at Woodford Wells thrust them back into the title race. Alistair Fergus picked up six wickets as Wells were restricted to 162 on a small ground. Connor Cheverall hit an unbeaten 74 as the target was achieved inside 25 overs with three wickets down.

There was no lack of runs in the fourth team game with South Woodford. The visitors amassed 314-4, Ali Khan (90), Shahab Umer (52) and Farhan Salahudeen (100*) putting the bowlers to the sword. There was no real hope of chasing that down especially as Khan (4-54) was also a very useful bowler.

Paul Tremelling (42), who arrived back from Orlando at 11am on Saturday morning to play and Dave Goddard (76) were amongst the runs. The fifth team put together a decent batting display as they scored 243 against Leigh through Peter Marshall (42), Jordan Campion (33), Graham Watson (42) and Jack Campion (57*). Leigh pass the target for the loss of five wickets.

On Sunday, Chelmsford hosted the Warsop T20 Finals Day for the second time. In their semi-final they beat Rayleigh – runners-up for the last two years – by a comfortable margin, with the highlight being a hat-trick from Ben Clifford.

In the final they faced Wickford who beat Terling in a close match and bowled them out for 83; only to make hard work of the chase, stumbling over the line with six wickets down. Mark Drain (4-11) bowled well and Ben Clifford played a major role with some fine fielding and was rewarded with the player of the day award.

It was a pretty good week for Clifford as he made his debut for Essex 2nd XI debut, scoring a half-century against Somerset. He was joined by fellow Chelmsford players Jack Sterlnand, also making a half century, and Sam Cook, who impressed with the ball.