Bowlers well on top in Dunmow defeat to Long Melford
Baz Sewell. Picture by Jamie Pluck - Credit: Archant
Batting frailties were once again exposed in a bizarre game of cricket as Dunmow lost to Long Melford at St Edmunds Lane.
The clash brought into very sharp focus the need for batsmen to value their wickets and bat time, especially when chasing a small target.
It had all started so well, with the Dunmow bowlers taking advantage of a damp pitch and swinging conditions.
Matt Gibson got the home side off to the perfect start, claiming Brett for a duck in the third over with the score still on nought.
Pressure was maintained and Gibson also claimed Matthews for 20 to leave the visitors on 30-2 after 15 overs.
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The one meaningful partnership of the Long Melford innings was then built.
Bill Byford and Joe Harvey moved the score along to 72, before Harvey became the first of four wickets for Baz Sewell.
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Backed by outstanding catching Sewell, and at the other end Steve Hamlin (4-26) ran through the tail to leave Long Melford all out for 98 at tea. Gibson finished with figures (2-24).
With eight of the Long Melford batsmen falling due to catches, the Dunmow batsmen could have taken their cue about how to approach the chase, but in some cases failed to do so.
Wickets fell regularly to the accurate bowling of Byford, Gareth Boon and Jason Wade, but there was a level of application missing behind at least four of the dismissals that contributed to Dunmow’s downfall.
As in the first innings, the fielding was superb, with the catch held to dismiss skipper Paul Reid particularly memorable.
The end of the game generated a complete mirror image of the scene at tea and left Dunmow introspective and desperate for a win on Saturday away to Lakenheath.
