ORSETT & Thurrock returned to winning ways with a close victory at Fives and Heronians by 12 runs.
The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Umar Ayub and Paul Bennett (99) got the innings off to a great start, before the former was caught and bowled by Jake Poulter for 42. Bennett led from the front once again and played a fine knock, but for the second time this season, was out just shy of a century.
There were other useful scores from Mark Pavitt (33) and Umaad Sultan (27) as Orsett
& Thurrock ended with a very good total of 253 from their 50 overs.
The hosts, and in particular Fahad Iqbal (69) and Terry Ballard (49) were leading the charge and took the game right down to the wire. But the Orsett & Thurrock bowlers stuck to the task well and were rewarded with victory by just 12 runs. Daniel Laird took three wickets from his ten overs, while Muhammad Rahim and Shahid Khan picked up two apiece.
Fives and Heronians CC 1st XI 241-10
Orsett & Thurrock 1st XI 253-10
