Dunmow 203-8 Brockley 148 DUNMOW CC started their Two Counties League Division Two campaign in style on Saturday with a 55-run victory over Brockley, but captain Nick Down refuses to get carried away. After two successive promotions Down has hi

Dunmow 203-8

Brockley 148

DUNMOW CC started their Two Counties League Division Two campaign in style on Saturday with a 55-run victory over Brockley, but captain Nick Down refuses to get carried away.

After two successive promotions Down has high hopes for this season, but admits the division is something of an unknown quantity.

"We will know as time progresses what the league will be like," he said. "Until we have been around once with the fixtures we are not sure how strong the division is.

"It was a great start to the year but I'm not getting carried away as there is a long way to go now.

"We far and away don't believe we will struggle though. We are prepared for the step up and we are looking to be more than a bit competitive."

Down believes there is a lot more to come from his young squad.

He said: "The side is still improving and our success will depend on player availability and how strong we can be week to week as it's a long old season.

"The side is growing in strength and experience and confidence is high when you are winning, the test will come when we lose a few.

"They have the right attitude though and throughout the course of the winter training I have seen noticeable improvement. We are used to winning and that becomes a habit, I just hope it's a habit that continues."

Dunmow won the toss and decided to bat first. A good foundation was set by openers Oli Rooney and Mark Humby as they saw off the threat of the new ball.

It was the introduction of spin that brought the first wicket as Humby (23) was tapped lbw off the bowling of Joe Reed.

Some tight bowling from Dean Sykes and Reed saw the run rate slow down and Dunmow lost two further wickets without really moving the score on.

At 74-3 in the 26th over a brisk 22 from Paul M Reid and a good knock of 43 from Luke Swanston saw the run rate improve. Rooney continued to be the man to bat around before eventually falling for 57 looking for some late runs.

A few big blows at the end saw Dunmow post 203-8.

In reply Josh Rix quickly removed danger man Joe Reed in his first over which put Brockley on the back foot straight away.

When Fisher was dismissed for 20 off the bowling of James Reid, Dunmow were confident of victory.

The pressure began to tell as Paul Reid and Graham Wickes bowled tight lines and dried up the runs.

This brought great rewards to Wickes as he claimed six of the Brockley wickets. A late dash of runs came from I Reed (24), but this was never enough as Brockley were bowled out for 148.

Dunmow's star man was Graham Wickes who claimed 6-19 from eight overs.

Down said: "I'm really pleased it all went according to plan."

On Saturday Dunmow host Woodbridge & O.W.

"They were relegated from division one last season and I would expect them to be one of the stronger sides but you never know at this stage of the year," said Down.