PAUL Reid’s men completed their third win in a row on Saturday as they continued to move safely away from the relegation zone.

Two Counties Division Two

Dunmow (193 for seven) beat Brightlingsea (182 all out) by 11 runs

PAUL Reid’s men completed their third win in a row on Saturday as they continued to move safely away from the relegation zone.

On a wicket that had seen plenty of overnight rain, Brightlingsea had no hesitation in asking Dunmow to bat first.

A watchful start was required and Oli Rooney and Luke Swanston saw off the first 12 overs before Swanston (17) was dismissed trying to up the rate. Josh down (45) kept up the good work with Rooney (42) as they completed a 50 partnership.

The key to the innings was that Dunmow had not lost quick wickets which allowed the middle order to up the rate at the end, the in-form Chris Barker scored 48 and together with the lower order reached a very respectable total of 193 for seven.

The home side knew that the wicket to get was the one of the league’s leading run scorer Rodrigo and he had a lucky escape first ball as he chopped the ball down and just over the top of the stumps.

It was Steve Hamlin who got the wicket column ticking, as he clean bowled Holyman and then picked up Cracknell the following over. When Josh Down bowled Baker with the score on 36 Dunmow had the start they wanted.

Rodrigo remained and continued to play aggressively with his partners struggling at the other end. The key moment came when Jan Gilbert found an extra gear and had Rodrigo caught behind for 72 as Alex Wyganowski took his second superb catch behind the stumps.

When Down returned to pick up two quick wickets the score was 137 for eight.

Dunmow did their best to throw it away as they dropped three catches but they finally took a chance and then down wrapped the game up when Down bowled Dowman to return figures of four for 36 in 13 overs.