Thurrock CC 1st XI – 117/7
Herongate & Ingrave CC 1st XI – 121/8
THURROCK fell just short in a rain affected encounter at Herongate on Saturday as the elements played in a major part in deciding a tight and tense game. In what originally were reasonable batting conditions skipper Nick Henry won the toss and elected to bat first and made steady progress before opener O’Neill fell for 19 shortly before the heavens opened for the first time. In all there were 5 separate rain delays which added extra spice to the surface and gave plenty for the bowlers to exploit and made life hard for the visiting batsmen, combined with the stop-start nature of the game which allowed the hosts bowling attack to maintain their freshness and continue chipping wickets away at regular intervals with Thompson (4-37) and Linsell (3-45) the pick of the bowlers. A few lusty blows from the lower order pair of Stanikzai and Hymas gave the visitors something to bowl at and maintain some hope going into the second half with the match now reduced to 26 overs a side.
On a pitch offering some assistance for the bowlers the visitors knew they needed some early wickets and they were duly provided by Dan George who picked up 3-21 in an incisive early spell. The home side rebuilt and looked set to win comfortably until a flurry of wickets through Dan Laird and Abdul Stanikzai gave the visitors hope of snatching the win, especially when they removed the dangerous Linsell for 30 with still 20 required by the hosts who at this point were down to 10 men which meant only 1 further wicket was required, however the home side snuck over the line in the last over in a competitive and hard fought contest with the visitors ruing what might have been if the weather hadn’t have played such a major part.
Thurrock CC 3rd XI – 156/7
St John’s Billericay – 124/8
Thurrock 3rds continued their winning run with a fine win in a rain affected encounter with St John’s Billericay on Saturday, thanks to fine knock from Troy Slaney, and an incisive spell of bowling from Michael Parker. The visitors were inserted by the home side and after the elements reduced the contest to 30 overs a side match, managed to post a competitive 156/7 mainly thanks to an excellent 67 from Troy Slaney, aided from contributions from Elliot McCartney (27), Bridger (18) and Groves (16) left the visitors optimistic leading into the second innings. Even with such optimism early wickets were required to put the pressure on the hosts, and they were duly supplied by Michael Parker who removed the hosts top 4 and put the Thurrock side on top in conjunction with Mal Umfreville who picked up 2 as well. The pressure was continued through Wayne Simmons who also picked up 2 wickets to restrict the home side whose main resistance came from Stevens who made 64 but no one else could provide substantial support as the visitors won comfortably by 32 runs.
Thurrock CC Sun 1st XI – 115/2
Old Southendians & Southchurch CC – 114 all out
Old Southendians & Southchurch were the visitors for this Essex Sunday League clash at Blackshots in which the hosts cruised to a comfortable 8 wicket victory. Stand-in skipper Matt Hills called correctly and chose to insert the visitors, an erratic opening spell from Dan George allowed the visitors to get off to a good start with Mcdonald playing positively and looking dangerous but he struck to remove opener Wilson with an excellent lifting delivery. After this initial breakthrough Hills then turned to spin and it paid off quickly when Jordon Warren removed McDonald for a well played 39, fellow spinners Clarke Wren (4-29) and Rob Neal (3-19) then proceeded to decimate the visitors batting line up as only Hunt with 17 managed any sort of resistance.
The home side were confident of chasing down their target after the interval and started confidently before opener Mason Wren fell caught at slip for 7. Fellow opener Dean Henry (26) and no.3 Mark O’Neill then put on 70 for the 2nd wicket with few alarms to break the back of the chase before Henry was stumped off the bowling of Hunt, this brought Ross Fullbrook to the wicket who sealed the win shortly after the drinks break in style with a straight 6 to finish on 27 not out with O’Neill unbeaten on 45.
Noak Hill Taverners CC – 245/8
Thurrock CC Sun 2nd XI – 143/8
Thurrock travelled to Noak Hill for a Sunday friendly but ultimately the home side proved too strong for the visitors as they prevailed by 102 runs. The hosts elected to bat first and made good progress through Hodgson who made 59, Matt Diprose was looking in ominous form before he was removed by leg spinner Alex Mclellan for 39 with a fizzing leg break which was snaffled by Tyrone Owen behind the stumps. Rob Bundock then chipped in with 4 wickets to peg the hosts back but the hosts were no doubt pleased with their first innings total.
The hosts pressed home their dominance early on the visitors reply as Carlton Joseph ripped through the top 6 to reduce the Thurrock side to 30/5 and then 60/6 as the visiting batsman had no answer for his devastating swing bowling. The lower put up some resistance with Wayne Simmons and Chris Buckley who made 34 and 30 respectively to carry them to some kind of respectability as the hosts cruised home to a comfortable 102 run win.
