Old Southendian and Southchurch 1st 204-7 dec
Belhus 1st 205-9
THE number ten of Belhus, Billy Winter, put together an impressive and undefeated innings of 31 as he helped steer his team to an unlikely one-wicket win. The home side were staring down the barrel of a big defeat at 98 for 7, as they failed to properly recover from a poor start when they lost two quick wickets with just nine runs on the board. The best that the North Stifford based team could have hoped for would have been a draw.
But the Belhus tail performed miracles in this Shepherd Neame Division Two league match alongside middle order batsman Richard Day. He scored 60 runs from 69 deliveries until he was run out by Michael Bunce, but Winter remained with him as these two put on a crucial 64-run partnership for the ninth wicket. The dismissal of Day still left Belhus requiring 21 to win with their last pair at the crease. Against all odds, last man Dale Kenyon came in, struck 11 not out which included two fours from ten deliveries. A truly astonishing victory had been pulled from the jaws of defeat.
Earlier, brothers Joe and Danny Joyce scored 27 and 44 respectively, while for the Old Boys, Rob Johnston hit 73 from 134 balls faced (eight fours) and Iain McDonald gave support with 46. In the bowling stakes, Dale Kenyon claimed 3-63 from 19 overs (seven maidens) for Belhus; he was supported by Jabir Iqbal with 2-65 from 14 overs, one of which was a maiden.
Old Southendian and Southchurch 2nd 170-7 dec
Belhus 2nd 172-1
Charlie Lewis, 63 not out and Roy Heffernan, 90 not out, overcame the Old Boys’ total at Southchurch Park on Saturday. Earlier, Jack Martin-Hussey picked up 2-30 from 13 overs (four maidens) and Roy Heffernan laid the foundations of a fine all-round performance by taking 2-38 from sixteen overs of flight and guile, two of which were maidens. For the home side, Harwood top scored with 45 not out.
Gidea Park and Romford 4th 153 all out
Belhus 3rd 154-4
Tom Thompson and Jim Banner were both disappointed to be dismissed for 49, but their dismay was short lived as their efforts helped significantly towards a six wicket league win at a blustery Ockendon Recreation Ground on Saturday. Home skipper Stuart Morris was 23 not out at the close, accompanied by Jake Wolfe, with nine runs to his name. The pitch clearly suited the medium pace seamers; Richard Waters and Jack Plane delivered quality line and length by the shed load and consequently picked up 4-49 and 4-45 respectively. The visitors’ top scorer was Anmar Zahid with 58, until he became Rob Long’s sole victim, while Usman Maqbool claimed 2-35 from nine overs.
Billericay 4th 148 all out
Belhus 4th 120 all out
A six-wicket haul from twelve overs by Billericay’s Mower cut Belhus down to size at the Toby Howe ground on Saturday. Mower’s devastation cost just 31 runs as the visitors collapsed 28 runs shy of their target. Earlier, Scott Stonham delivered 4-42 for Belhus, but arguably Mayne took the game away before tea with a solid knock of 56 runs.
Belhus 5th 155-6
Old Brentwoods 3rd 156-4
Belhus opener Don East became the most senior player in the club’s history to score a half century as he carried his bat through this 40 over encounter. Unfortunately, he received little assistance from his colleagues until debutant Zak Wilson joined him at 50 for 4. Wilson went on to score 24 with some delightful shots and put on 61 with the veteran East. Some rather wayward bowling with 44 extras took the total to 155 at the close.
In response, Joshua Langrish took an early wicket but this brought number three batsman Umar to the crease who proceeded to dominate with a big-hitting 85 off 42 balls. However, young Wilson now had the ball and took a very creditable 2 for 23 during the onslaught, as the aggressive Umar made short work of the target against an otherwise weakened Belhus attack.
