Comment

CHELMSFORD Cricket Club's batting travails continued over the weekend.

The Sunday First team at least managed to put a score in excess of 200 on the board but no other side passed 150. Even so, Chelmsford won four of their six matches.

The Saturday first team faced disappointment with their game at Upminster called off.

The pitches at Chelmer Park were wet and slow but in the circumstances it was commendable for them to be playable at all. The Saturday second team hosted Upminster and the visitors seemed upset to have to play.

Inevitably the batsmen found it hard going, but not as hard as the fielders did towards the end of their 58-over stint.

White's unbeaten 25 was the top score in Upminster's 150 for 9 and Keith Goodman (3-19) was the most successful of Chelmsford's bowlers.

The Upminster tactics paid off with Mayor (4-34) and Quested (3-10) inflicting the major damage as Chelmsford were bundled out for 100.

The third team lost out to Leigh-on-Sea after scoring 134. Richard Smith's 32 was the top score in Chelmsford's 134, Smith taking four for 14.

Leigh's successful chase was almost entirely down to Pratt, whose 81 not out saw them to a six-wicket win with an over to spare.

Chelmsford bowled pretty well, keeping things tight but could not penetrate and paid for missed chances.

The fourth team were the winner on the day, although it was hard going.

Westcliff were bowled out for 106, the Clifford brothers, Ben and James taking two wickets each and Tom Halsey (4-5) inflicting real damage.

Chelmsford had plenty of time to chase and used it, losing five wickets on the way with extras (37) providing much of the impetus. Sam Hollingsworth's patient 27 was the best score off the bat.

Sunday again proved more profitable.

The first team had a comfortable win over Belmont & Edgware and the second team a hard-fought win over Essex Carriers. Gary Chidley's 59 was the top score in Chelmsford's 216-5.

Belmont & Edgware were never really in the hunt and Anthony Holland (3-23) impressed with the ball as Chelmsford won by 121 runs.

Darren Thompson (4-9) bowled well for the Sunday seconds, building on a good opening spell by Tom Evans-Green (2-13). Eighty-six proved to be a hard target, Tom Halsey making 33 in a three-wicket win.

The Under-16 Matchplay side started their campaign with a hard fought win on bank holiday Monday.

A good bowling performance led by Rob Wickham (3-16) and Ijaz Ahktar (4-34) restricted Buckhurst Hill to 124. Jack Sterland (41) and Lee Cranmer (34) put Chelmsford into a great position but ultimately it was a nervy two wicket win.

Scores:

• Upminster 150-9 v Chelmsford 2nds 100ao (Upminster won by 50 runs)
• Chelmsford 3rd 134ao v Leigh 135-4 (Leigh won by 6 wickets)
• Westcliff 4th 106ao v Chelmsford 107-5 (Chelmsford won by 5 wickets)
• Chelmsford 1sts 216-5 v Belmont & Edgware 95ao (Chelmsford won by 121 runs)
• Essex Carriers 85ao v Chelmsford 2nds 86-7 (Chelmsford won by 3 wickets)
• Under-16s Essex Matchplay: Buckhurst Hill 124 all out v Chelmsford 125-8 (Chelmsford won by 2 wickets)

Fixtures (Saturday May 10): 1sts: Woodford Wells (H) SNEL 1pm.2nds: Woodford Wells (A) SNEL 1pm; 3rds: Woodford Wells (A) SNEL 1pm; 4ths: Leigh on Sea (H) SNEL 1pm; 5ths: Leigh-on-Sea (A) F 1pm.
Sunday May 10: 1sts: Ardleigh Green (A) ESL 2pm. 2nds: Goodmayes (A) F 2pm; U16: Wanstead (H) Matchplay 1pm.

7:58am Thursday 8th May 2008

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