Belhus 2nd XI – 169 all out
Stanford-le-Hope 2nd XI – 147-9
Belhus 8 points
Stanford 5 points
STANFORD-le-Hope managed to cling on for a draw in this nail-biting local derby with Belhus at North Stifford. Stanford skipper Drew Robinson won the toss and inserted the home side on a green tinged wicket. It proved a wise decision as the Belhus batsman struggled against the new ball. Fourth team captain Andy Freeman, drafted in late because of a shortage of availability, immediately made an impact and was ably supported by Ben Tarten who picked up 2-50 off his 13 overs. But it was Freeman in a mammoth 25.4 over spell who caused the most problems for the Belhus batsman with figures of 6-47 including nine maidens. Skipper Mark Sansom batting at six scored a defiant 58 which held the innings together as they found themselves at 91-7 and staring down the barrel of another defeat. But Sansom’s partnership with Keith Dhannie (21) and earlier contributions from Wayne Read (22) and Jack Wolfe (22) saw the home side to a competitive score of 169.
Stanford still fancied their chances at this point and got off to a watchful but steady start. Imran Mohammed (1-33 off 13 overs) got the first wicket and from 37-1, Stanford found themselves 80-5 with the game hanging in the balance. Opener Jordan Dodd anchored the innings with his 22 but it was Jack Carter who provided the impetus and Stanford’s only chance of stealing what was becoming an increasingly unlikely victory. When Carter was caught on 40 survival was all the away side could hope for against a buoyant Belhus attack led by Keith Dhannie, who returned figures of 6-28 off his 14 overs including four maidens. In the end last pair, Ben Tarten and youngster Jack Cable, managed to deny Belhus the full 25 points as the game ended in a draw.
