Orsett Cricket Club enjoyed a successful evening in the resumption of U12 indoor fixtures after the Christmas break as both their teams emerged with maximum-point victories. Orsett “A” raced to 101 for the loss of just two wickets against Belhus “B”, with Scott Plom top-scoring with a fine undefeated 28. Thomas Haden finished on 20 not out and there were other significant contributions from George Smith, 17 and Harry Lockyer, 18. Belhus delivered a creditable performance in reply, as Mason Ruck hit 23, but Harry Davison was the only other Belhus batsman to reach double figures with a score of 10 as Lockyer bowled exceptionally well to take three wickets at a cost of only eleven runs.
The Orsett “B” fixture was a much closer affair with Orsett succeeding by just three runs in a thrilling encounter. The Orsett second team had posted 99 for the loss of five wickets through Joe Mitchell’s fine undefeated 30 and supporting roles from Jack Shiner and Ryan Page with 15 and 16 runs respectively. Stanford le Hope then replied with 95 with their final wicket falling to a run-out in the final over. Eathan Thomas hit 26 not out, Carter supported well with 13 but Orsett’s Thomas Duck kept his nerve to claim three Stanford wickets at a cost of just six runs to ensure his club became the first to achieve two maximum-point victories by both “A” and “B” teams since Belhus achieved the feat on 12th March 2010.
In the evening’s other fixture, Thurrock scored 55 all out with James Milsom top scoring with ten runs, while Horndon reached their target without loss through Daniel Petts who scored 14 not out and Alex Kojczyk with 11 not out.
