There was a 115-run loss for Dunmow away to Maldon in the Two Counties League Division Two on Saturday.

With both teams following very different agendas at the opposite ends of the table, bat certainly dominated ball as bowlers from both sides struggled to take wickets.

Bowling first against the unbeaten league leaders, Dunmow claimed captain Chris Harris for one at the start of the second over.

Not until the 22nd over were Dunmow to taste success again as Reece O’Connell and Ian Elliot built an excellent partnership, although O’Connell was lucky to survive when being bowled off a no ball.

He took advantage of this chance as he moved to a well-made 105 before being caught by a stunning piece of fielding on the long-off boundary.

With wickets in hand, Anderson (53 not out) and Coppen (24 not out) took 60 from the last 60 overs to take Maldon to 246 from 35 overs, a reduced game having been agreed by the captains and umpires before play commenced.

The four wickets that fell were shared, Matt Gibson claiming 1-56 from 11 overs, Josh Rix 1-31 from four, Steve Hamlin 1-81 from 11 and George Gallant 1-64 from seven.

Gaining batting points rather than an unlikely victory was the order of the day for the Dunmow batsmen.

After the loss of Ali and Joe Gallant with the score at 14, Ollie Rooney and Ieuan Bush did just that, claiming the first point at 80 runs before Bush fell for 37.

With further points available at 105 and 130 runs, Rooney (35) and Mark Rosewell, with a breezy 19 including two huge sixes, ensured that two runs were needed from the final over to claim the third point.

This was duly done and although the margin of victory was significant, Dunmow claimed a crucial five points, with big games to come against near league rivals.

Dunmow 2nds took on Maldon 4ths and posted a huge 365-3, with Sam Bush making 102, James Reyburn 60 and Ben Sedman 50.

In a similar scenario to the first team game, the 4ths batted their overs to finish 120-5, with Alex Rix claiming all five, sending Dunmow to the top of Division Nine South.

On Saturday, the first team travel to East Bergholt, while the 2nds also are away, at West Mersea 2nds.