AN excellent innings of 99 not out from batsman Giles Ecclestone was the highlight of Saffron Walden s draw with Ardleigh Green on Saturday. The Shepherd Neame Essex League cricket match, being played at Walden s home ground, had to be abandoned due to ba

AN excellent innings of 99 not out from batsman Giles Ecclestone was the highlight of Saffron Walden's draw with Ardleigh Green on Saturday.

The Shepherd Neame Essex League cricket match, being played at Walden's home ground, had to be abandoned due to bad weather, but there was still time for two outstanding performances from the home side.

Ecclestone was one run short of a century before the game had to be abandoned in the middle of Walden's innings and fast bowler Adrian McCoubrey took six wickets.

After winning the toss, Walden decided to put Ardleigh Green into bat first, hoping that they would be able to get them out quickly before the weather turned.

An on form McCoubrey carried most of the bowling responsibility for Walden, and it took him 16.4 overs to collect his six wicket haul, at a cost of 50 runs.

Despite the onslaught from McCoubrey, Ardleigh Green batted well and a number of their players scored close to the half century mark.

Four of their batsman hit into the 40s, with the top scorers being R Glassberg (46), A Krishnan (44), C Mudalige (45) and S McMurray (43).

Ardleigh Green finished their innings with 273 runs for eight wickets, after 64.4 overs.

Ryan Sparrow opened the batting for Walden and gave the home side a good start with a quick fire 22 runs before being caught by I Russell off a delivery from A Krishnan.

Middle order batsman Wheater did well with 31 runs, but it was the superb innings from Ecclestone that put the bulk of the runs on the board for Walden.

Finishing with 197 runs for five wickets, after 49 overs, it was looking to be a close match before the weather decided the outcome for both teams.

For Ardleigh Green the pick of the bowlers was M Clarke who took three wickets from 11 overs, conceding 27 runs.

Walden will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they visit Ilford in the Shepherd Neame League Premier Division.