Dunmow 1st XI claimed an extremely important Two Counties League Division Two win by doing the double over rivals Sudbury with an excellent team performance.

Having lost the toss on Saurday, Dunmow bowled well for the first 15 overs without much success except for the wicket of Phillips, bowled by Jake Thompson for eight.

The Sudbury batsmen made steady progress and both Phillips (54) and O’Brien (51) made half centuries, making the most of lives they were given by the Dunmow fielders.

Dunmow bowler Thompson returned for a second spell with success.

He soon reaped the rewards for his accuracy and pace, claiming four more wickets to complete an excellent afternoon for him, with his first five wicket haul for Dunmow 1st XI (5-66).

Other wickets were claimed by Steve Hamlin (1-40) and Josh Down (1-36) as Sudbury closed on 227-7.

Dunmow got off to the worst possible reply when Luke Swanston was out for a duck in the second over.

However, Down (60) and James Reyburn (57) put on 104 for the second wicket as Dunmow started a fine run chase.

Dunmow’s chances were enhanced by the fact that A Clark had to be removed from the attack after delivering a third ball that was deemed dangerous by the umpire.

Sudbury showed great sportsmanship in not running Reyburn out and allowing him a runner after he was injured taking a quick single.

Despite both Down and Reyburn falling to Witham, skipper Paul Reid maintained his recent good form.

He made 42 not out and with the clean striking Ben Sedman adding 21 as Dunmow achieved their total in the 43rd over.

The results sees Dunmow ninth in the division with Sudbury eighth now just 10 points ahead of their weekend opponents.

n Dunmow host fifth placed Mildenhall on Saturday.