Oakfield Parkonians 1st 151-8
Belhus 1st 152-1
BELHUS stormed to an emphatic nine wickets victory at Oakfield in division two of the Shepherd Neame Essex League on Saturday. Danny Norris was in rampant form with the ball as he bagged five home victims for just 26 runs from 16 overs, half of which were maidens. Connor Day and Daniel Dreher picked up one wicket each. After tea, the visiting opening batsmen, Ryan Wells and Joe Joyce, plundered runs at a rapid pace and these two put on 150 for the first wicket until Joyce was caught by Dhruv Patel off the bowling of Abdul Rehman Razzaq for 78. Joyce struck fourteen boundaries in total, while Wells hit eleven fours in his stylish undefeated innings of 61.
This result puts Belhus twenty points clear at the top of the division, ahead of nearest rivals Gidea Park and Romford. These two meet at the Gallows Corner sports ground next Saturday. Meanwhile, Belhus crashed out of the National Village cup on Sunday as they lost at home by nine wickets to Rettendon, despite impressive knocks by Danny Joyce with 91 not out, Charlie Lewis 61 not out and captain Ryan Wells who weighed in with 60 runs.
Oakfield Parkonians 2nd 188 all out
Belhus 2nd 181-9 (Match Drawn)
After bowling their guests out for a modest total at North Stifford, Belhus thought they were in with a good chance of reaching the target. Wayne Read struck 60 runs but the bowling of Ali claimed five home scalps at a cost of 43 runs from thirteen overs which sparked a Belhus collapse. In truth, both teams came close to winning, with the visitors requiring just one more wicket to win while hosts Belhus needed just a further eight runs which would have seen them over the finish line. This drawn match puts Belhus in third place in the Shepherd Neame second eleven division two table, behind Hainault and Clayhall and leaders Old Southendian and Southchurch.
On Sunday, Belhus seconds made an extended trip to Long Marston near Tring, Hertfordshire, where they were comfortably outplayed by their hosts. The visitors were dismissed for 147 and Long Marston eased past the Belhus score for the loss of just three wickets. Billy Maidment picked up two of these three wickets while the remaining scalp was claimed by Ryan Prendergast thanks to a good catch by captain Mike Randall at short mid-off from a fierce drive.
Belhus 3rd 235-4 dec
Old Southendian and Southchurch 4th 71 all out
Belhus opener Tom Thompson led the way with a superb knock of 80 runs at Victory Sports Ground, Southend, on Saturday. This enabled the visitors to declare after 36 overs to allow sufficient time for their bowlers to get amongst the wickets in the post-tea session. Belhus thirds have maintained their 100% league record with four wins out of four, so they share the lead at the head the fourth eleven premier division east with Basildon and Pitsea CC, who have an identical playing record.
Fives and Heronians 4th 150 all out
Belhus 4th 151-7
Jamie Fairweather proved to be a thorn in the side of Fives and Heronians on Saturday as he picked up four wickets four just 25 runs from seven overs, which included two maidens. Robert Long and Zak Wilson weighed in with two wickets apiece. After tea, Joshua Clarke struck a fine 44 while Wilson’s knock of 36 provided a finale on a fine all-round performance. It fell to the seasoned campaigner Paul Hall, with a mature 35 not out, to ensure a home win by three wickets. Belhus are top of the fourth eleven division one west table, four points ahead of second place Upminster.
Ends
