Dunmow Cricket Club s cricket week proved a big hit with the club putting their poor league form behind them. The weather was fine for the whole week, allowing groundsmen Lawrence Edwards and Graham Sneath the time to prepare some great wickets to play c

Dunmow Cricket Club's cricket week proved a big hit with the club putting their poor league form behind them.

The weather was fine for the whole week, allowing groundsmen Lawrence Edwards and Graham Sneath the time to prepare some great wickets to play cricket on.

Committee member and second team vice captain Matt Gibson said: "It was a great week, which celebrated the game in all its aspects; competitive yet sporting on the field, friendly and sociable off it.

"Involving our colts section on Tuesday was a real improvement, and it was nice to be able to involve some other local clubs. It was also tremendous to welcome back our old friends from Cardiff and Chinghoppers.

"Huge thanks to the groundsmen, Lawrence and Graham, and to the wives and girlfriends who fed us so magnificently."

Departing first team skipper Richard Cross added: "In a season when we have won so few league games, it was great to win a few matches."

Dunmow got off to a great start last Sunday, beating Lindsell by eight wickets.

Batting first, Lindsell reached a total of 215-6, thanks mainly to the contributions of two Dunmow players, Ollie Rooney and Nick Down, who were guesting for the opposition.

In reply, Dunmow cruised to an easy victory thanks to 87 not out for Luke Swanston and 46 not out for Tom Peacock.

# Dunmow defeated Cardiff Wanderers by seven wickets on Monday, the touring side's first loss in five years.

Consistent bowling and tight fielding meant Dunmow managed to keep the chase down to below 200, with Andy Strong, pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets.

Chasing 193 for victory, Luke Swanston and Paul Reid made a solid start, Reid going on to make 85. Chris Barker and Ollie Rooney saw Dunmow home with 12 overs

to spare.

# Teams from Braintree, High Roding and Dunmow at under 16 and under 13 level contested the inaugural Jim Flood Partnership eight-a-side tournament.

The two teams from Dunmow remained undefeated and claimed the tournament victories in both of the age groups.

Skippers Nick Rooney and Josh Down claimed the shields, provided by the generous sponsorship of Jim Flood.

# Dunmow held a Herts and Essex Representative XI side to a draw last Wednesday.

Batting first, most of the batsmen made good starts, but none went on to make a big score.

In reply, the Dunmow opening pair of Sneath and Burrell found some useful form, putting on 36 for the first wicket. Thirteen-year-old Josh Down hit 58, but Dunmow came up just short of the win.

# A strong bowling performance helped Dunmow defeat The Gentlemen of Essex.

Batting first, The Gents were always struggling, especially in the face of some excellent new ball bowling from skipper for the day Toby Hughes. His six over spell cost only six runs and he also claimed two wickets.

His captaincy then proved inspired as he brought on Matt Gibson (12-6-22-5), who claimed wickets in each of his first three overs, backed up by some excellent work at slip by Si Burrell. It was then left to leg spinner Andy Strong to mop up the tail, claiming 3-32 as the Gents folded to 149.

In reply Si Burrell and Luke Swanston made a solid start, putting on 46 for the opening wicket. Swanston was then joined by Ollie Rooney and Swanston moved onto 56 before being out lbw, with the score at 129.

It was then left to Rooney and former Dunmow skipper D Monk to see them home, Rooney finishing

on 47 not out for the second time in the week.

# Chinghoppers were the strongest opposition of the week and proved too strong for Dunmow.

Chinghoppers, batting first, showed their class and the Dunmow bowlers had to work hard for any successes as the batsmen rattled along at a consistent seven an over.

A score of 174-2 at lunch was converted to 280 off 43 overs with 16 year old N Browne making 136 not out.

The declaration certainly gave Dunmow a chance of victory if they could bat well and Si Burrell and Luke Swanston made an excellent start, putting on 49 for the first wicket. Swanston moved to 1000 runs for the season with a classy 76, well supported by Tom Peacock and Ollie Rooney before he ran himself out going for a third.

Dunmow still only needed about five an over, but with specialist batsmen running out, skipper Matt Gibson called off the chase with eight overs to go and three wickets in hand.

Steve Hamlin and Mark Sykes saw off nearly seven overs before Sykes was out. This left Hamlin and Gibson to survive seven balls. Some dubious umpiring including a seven ball over and an umpire fielding notwithstanding, Gibson was unable to survive, falling to the penultimate ball of the match to give Chinghoppers the victory.