Horndon-on-The-Hill 1st xi 127 ao v Fives & Heronians 1st xi 131-6
Horndon’s glittering form came to an end on Saturday as Fives & Heronians travelled to the Rec. The visitors won the toss and with optimum bowling conditions decided to bowl first. It proved a good decision as Horndon lost Walsh, Asif, and Plom to Jonny Kay and stuttered to 23-3. Tom Stone (27) and Jeff West (24) battled back but wickets continued to fall as Horndon were bowled out for 127. Jonny Kay done most of the damage picking up 4 wickets for 33 runs off 16 overs. Despite a spirited effort and 2 wickets apiece for West and Asif there was never enough runs on the board as Fives chased the target in 32 overs. Ali Raza topping the runs with 58.
Fives & Heronians 2nd xi 179-9 v Horndon-on-The-Hill 2nd xi 233-8
Hordon’s second string were crowned champions on Saturday despite losing their magnificent 100% win record. Winning the toss and electing to field the home side got off to a great start getting Robert Hutch LBW first ball. Danny Freeman (14) and Danny Crowe (53) rebuilt the innings until Freeman was out caught off the bowling of Greg Summers. James Stitson (40) and Dan Petts (23) continued to add to the total but both were out to Greg Summers as he picked up his 2nd and 3rd wickets. Jack Marson 57* was supported superbly by Mark Wills (10) as the tail wagged for the visitors and they posted 233-8. With 8 points in the bag Horndon were already crowned champions they took to the field in high spirits. Rotsey and Babar were dismissed early by Marson and despite IIyas (34) and Canacott (30) Fives looked to have left themselves too much to do. With the run rate up at almost 10 an over ex pro Carlos Remy entered the fold for the home side and showed his class with some fine shots. Unfortunately for fives they were losing wickets at the other end. Mark Wills bowled a soul destroying spell of 6 overs taking 4 wickets for 16 runs which ended the chances of a Fives win. The home side settled for a draw at 9 down and despite two great chances in the last over Horndon couldn’t get the final wicket to continue their winning streak.
Horndon-om-the-Hill 3rd xi 235-4 v Chelmsford 5xi 66 ao.
Horndon’s promotion chasing 3rd xi cemented their place at the top of the table with a crushing defeat of Chelmsford. Losing the toss and batting first Horndon’s top 6 all cashed in on runs, Challis (53) Gamman (45) and Witts (45) done most of the damage as the home side declared in 38 overs on 235-4. Kevin Paget was in no friendly mood as he ran through the Chelmsford top order picking up 4 wickets for 34 runs off 11 overs. Only the top 3 from the visitors made double figure as they were bowled out for 66.
Old Southendians 4th xi 140-9 v Horndon-on-the-Hill 4th xi 144-7
Horndon travelled to Old Southendians and booked a great win on Saturday. Winning the toss and fielding the visitors restricted Old South’s to just 140. Robert Garwood (40), Lewis Hammond (54) and Ander Baker (11) were the only bastmen to make double figures. Dan Marshall and Alfie Thompson done the damage for the visitors, Thompson taking 3 wickets and Marshall with a remarkable spell of 3 overs taking 4 wickets for just 6 runs. Horndon’s top order started well with Gopi Aswath making 28 and Sreejith Gopalan 25 and the Marshall 24 and Thompson 24 showed their all-round skill to finish the game in 36 overs.
