DUNMOW CC were unable to build on last weekend s opening day victory in the Two Counties League Division Two on Saturday as they came up 15 runs short at home to Woodbridge. The St Edmunds Lane pitch was set for batting and the Woodbridge captain

DUNMOW CC were unable to build on last weekend's opening day victory in the Two Counties League Division Two on Saturday as they came up 15 runs short at home to Woodbridge.

The St Edmunds Lane pitch was set for batting and the Woodbridge captain did exactly that.

Dunmow's opening bowlers James Reid and Jack Sneath bowled well with the new ball, but were unable to find an early breakthrough and it soon became apparent that a big score was on the cards as the ball raced away across the fast outfield making it difficult to stop boundaries.

It was the introduction of Steve Hamlin for Dunmow who made the breakthrough as he claimed two wickets in the space of three overs. However, a good partnership then developed between captain Ian Akers and Ben Foreman.

Woodbridge moved the score on with little risk and found themselves at 180-3 with 10 overs still to go.

Dunmow stuck to their task well and Jack Sneath (2-33) managed to pick up a couple of wickets late on, but with wickets in hand Woodbridge were allowed to swing the bat in the final five overs and finished on 248-7, taking 15 from the final over.

Dunmow lost Mark Humby early on in reply but set the foundation for a win through Oli Rooney and Luke Swanston. The pair shared an 80 run partnership before Rooney was dismissed for 35.

Nick Rooney was soon to follow but Dunmow were still in a strong position with plenty of wickets in hand. Jack Sneath (41), joined Swanston at the crease and looked to up the rate as he struck some nice looking boundaries.

The pair took Dunmow to needing seven an over from the last 10. The introduction of spin bowler Andrew Dearing was crucial as he dried up the runs and picked up regular wickets, including those of both Sneath and Swanston, who went for a well made 73.

With the rate now at 10 an over it was left to the middle and lower order to try and see it through. James Reid (17), Paul M Reid (16), and Graham Wickes (15) all struck boundaries but it wasn't enough to see Dunmow home.

Dearing picked up a further two wickets in two balls whilst claiming a maiden at the same time as the hosts ended up 15 run short on 233 all out.

Andrew Dearing finished with impressive figures of 6-33.

Lt. Bardfield Village CC did not have a good weekend as they suffered two defeats.

The first team visited Copford on Saturday in the Two Counties League Division Three and having won the toss, invited the home team to bat.

Ian Catley top-scored with 46, supported by Peter Kligman on 28 as Copford movedto 183 all out.

All 10 wickets were recorded as 'bowled', a rare feat, Dean Bass accounting for five players, conceding 58 runs.

James Baker (46) and Matt Graham (38) led the charge for the village, but to no avail; they fell short by 30 odd runs, with Russell Measor taking 4-35 and Steve Moriarty 4-40.

Sunday's PDQ fixture saw Lt. Bardfield at home to Bocking.

In a match reduced to 40 overs and fielding only 10 men, the home side reached 185-6, with Daryl Hymas on 81 and Peter Stone on 53.

Bocking, however, with Hickman top-scoring with 59 assisted by Barry Edwards' valiant 27, having been hit by a rising ball and temporarily retiring hurt, the visitors passed the post with two overs to spare.

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