Cricket round-up...

Cricket round-up

Herts and Essex League

- Ilford Catholics (226-4) beat Newport 159 all out after a poor batting display from the home side. Openers Eddie Tooth (86) and Vince Mulholland (82no) ran up a partnership of 151 before Tooth was dismissed by Adrian Baker (3-52) in the 29th over. Mulholland continued to play an anchor role with four more partners as Newport restricted the flow of runs but managed only three further wickets.

In reply, on a drying pitch that was offering plenty of help to the bowlers, Newport suffered the early loss of opening batsman Billy Powell with the score on 18 in the 5th over. Newport’s captain Clive Pearce (52) looked to forge at least one significant partnership but only Adam Parry (20) stayed with him for any length of time. When Pearce fell in the 29th over with the score on 109 for six, it was all over. A late salvo from Dan Wood (22) threatened to bring them back into it, but it was a comfortable win for the visitors.

Two Counties Div Two

- Dunmow finally got their first win of the season against fellow strugglers Brockley.

With overnight rain and plenty of cloud cover Brockley won the toss elected to bowl. Dunmow were soon in trouble at 28 for four knew they would not require a big score to be competitive so any partnerships were going to be crucial. Luke Swanston (26) and Ollie bush (9) put on 22 then Swanston and Alex Wyganowski (9) added a further 21 but the crucial partnership came from James Reid and Steve Hamlin. They added 56 for the eighth wicket, Reid taking the game to the opposition with an aggressive 42, Dunmow finished on 137 all out.

Dunmow set about taking the wickets needed for victory and Josh Down (3-10), with Paul Reid (3-26), struck to leave Brockley on 25 for four.

Regular wickets followed and Dunmow claimed a 37-run victory to bag a much-needed 20 points.

Around the grounds

• Havering-atte-Bower beat Aythorpe Roding 2nds by seven wickets despite Farr making a subtle 46 and Graham Reeve gaining two wickets for 27 runs.

• Dunmow 2nds managed an eight wicket win over High Roding 2nds. Matt Gibson (2-16), Barr (2-21) and Gilbert (3-17) doing the business with the ball and Sam Bush hitting a savage 59no.

• Sawston pulled themselves away from the premier league relegation zone with a seven wicket win over Cambridge Grants 2nds. Sam Rippington (3-41) led the way with the new ball and openers Wes Potschul (37) and Pearson (31) laid solid foundations before the kiwi Vaughan Blanchard (35no) them home.

• Little Bardfield blamed the toss after losing to Coggeshall by three wickets. Despite being knocked over for 62 all out, they made a fist of it as battled back to leave the home side 10 for five. But it was not to be and Coggeshall limped home inside 29 overs.