Following the highs of their first victory of the season, Dunmow CC came back down to earth with a bump as they suffered an eight wicket defeat to Mildenhall 2nds.

It was a second Two Counties Cricket Championship Division Two loss for Dunmow from three games so far this season.

On a breezy overcast day skipper Paul Reid elected to bat on a green looking wicket at the lovely Mildenhall ground putting his faith in the batsmen who had impressed a week earlier in the victory over Sudbury.

Alas this faith was soon to become lost as, despite a nice 22 from Oli Rooney and a patient 24 from Joe Gallant, a score of 66-4 at drinks soon became 68-8 and ultimately 79 all out as the wily Mildenhall duo of Martin Kingdom 4-22 and Stephen Lankaster 4-4 tore through the lineup.

After tea Baz Sewell was entrusted with the new ball in the hope of replicating last week’s five-wicket haul heroics. However, this week it wasn’t to be despite a tidy 12 overs for 32. Only the impressive Jake Thompson and the golden arm of Steve Hamlin could take a wicket as Mildenhall made it to 82-2 in the 26th over meaning an eight wicket defeat for Dunmow and only a measly point to show for their efforts.

Dunmow 2nds XI got life in Herts and Essex League Division Three started with an intense, competitive but ultimately disappointing three wicket loss against newly promoted Ilford Catholics.

Inserted, Dunmow were 70-2 at drinks with the chance to kick on. However, they gave cheap wickets away and were all out for 142.

Tom Pierson-McGeorge struck a well made 43.

Dunmow opened up the reply with Richard Cross and Matt Gibson and they were soon in the wickets, Cross claiming 3-15. 60-6 at drinks.

However, once at the crease, visiting skipper Martin Pilcher saw his side home with three overs to spare.