Walden back on top form
SAFFRON Walden CC claimed an important victory on Saturday to keep them in contention for the Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division title. With some excellent individual displays with the bat and the ball, Walden beat Ilford convincingly by six wic
SAFFRON Walden CC claimed an important victory on Saturday to keep them in contention for the Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division title.
With some excellent individual displays with the bat and the ball, Walden beat Ilford convincingly by six wickets.
Batsman Giles Ecclestone said: "We had a strong side with a lot of experience and we put in a good performance."
On a damp wicket, Walden won a "crucial toss" and put Ilford into bat first.
"It was a tricky wicket to bat on, but it got easier as it dried out," said Ecclestone. "I think they did really well to reach the total that they did."
Ilford made 224-9 at their home ground, Valentines Park, with the bulk of the runs being made by their middle order batsmen, G Kandola (48 no) and M Dirwan, who hit a half century before being clean bowled by Steven Atherton.
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Dirwan was just one of Atherton's scalps in his seven wicket haul. Bowling left arm spin, he delivered 21 overs and finished with figures of seven for 51. Ecclestone described his performance as "brilliant."
The remaining two wickets were taken by Batcheler who bowled nine overs and conceded 31 runs.
Batting second, Walden had a much better surface to play on and they put runs on the board quickly.
"Our opening batsmen made an excellent start and put us in a really good position," said Ecclestone. "Tom Westley was back in the side and played brilliantly."
Showing the kind of form that earned him his debut for Essex this season, Westley made 80 runs before being caught lbw by T Tavarasa.
Ryan Sparrow scored well and fell just short of the 50 mark, also being bowled by Tavarasa.
Giles Ecclestone (26), Josh Staines (38) and Charlie Knightly (8, no) were able to bring the victory home for Walden and they finished with 225 for four after 44.5 overs.
For Ilford, Tavarasa (2- 57) and Mandis (2-40), shared the wickets between them.
Saffron Walden host Brentwood on Saturday.
