Dunmow CC all but secured their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Cricket Championship Division Two status by beating second bottom Brockley on Saturday.

Dunmow sit in ninth place, out of 12, in the table with 199 points from 19 games.

On a breezy and sometimes showery day Dunmow visited Brockley’s notoriously difficult ground.

After losing the toss Dunmow were asked to bat first.

Luke Swanston set off like a train, taking 10 from the first over and 11 from the next, and after four overs Dunmow were 31-0.

Both openers then fell to Dean Sykes, but Dunmow rebuilt as Oli Rooney and Josh Down put together a 50 partnership before Rooney fell to Sykes, bowled for 31.

Down was joined by Oli’s twin brother Nick, making a return after leaving the club earlier in the season. The pair put on 89 before Rooney was run out for 43.

Two more wickets fell on 178, including Down unluckily caught on the fine leg boundary for 67.

Andy Brown then struck 13 not out as Dunmow finished on 199-7.

In reply, Brockley set off quickly, but wickets soon began to fall and they fell well short on 113 all out .

Wickets were shared with Steve Hamlin taking 2-39, Josh Down 2-32 Baz Sewell 2-25, but Josh Rix with 3-17 was the star bowler.

This win all but secured Dunmow’s Division Two status for another season.

The 2nds also won a rare game at Takeley chasing down 200 for the loss of seven wickets.

Ieuan Bush scored 89 to add to his century from the week before and Martin Callingham, with 4-47, shone with the ball.

On Saturday the 1st team visit Ipswich and East Suffolk while the 2nds welcome Aspenden.