THE 1st XI of the newly amalgamated Orsett & Thurrock Cricket Club got their league campaign off to a winning start by ten runs at home to Upminster.
The visitors won the toss and elected to field first. They took wickets at regular intervals and it looked like their decision to bowl was being vindicated. However, a captain’s innings from Paul Bennett made sure the hosts had something to defend. He looked on course to make a century, but was bowled by Connor Whetstone (2-18) for 98. Eventually Orsett & Thurrock made 204 from their 50 overs.
In reply, the Upminster top order got starts, but couldn’t get the big scores required to chase down the total. It was left to number seven Terry Wyatt (50) and number eight Whetstone (56) to give the away side a chance of victory. Shahid Khan picked up the final wicket to give him great figures of 5-37, while Paul Bennett backed up his batting exploits earlier in the day with three wickets as Upminster just fell agonisingly short.
