Fun Match

The Suffolk Gents won the toss and batted, accumulating 92 runs in 17 overs before losing a wicket. Lunch was taken with the score on 127-1 with the opposition seemingly in a strong position. Whatever was in the excellent lunch provided by Halstead CC, it had opposing effects on the Suffolk batting and the Essex bowling. Tom Sebright-King (15-7-34-2) had the well-set Whitaker (62) caught behind off the first ball after lunch, and in his next over bowled the number 3.

By now skipper Paul Garwood was bowling from the pavilion end, and produced an in inspired spell taking 4-14 in four overs. The Suffolk Gents had lost 6 wickets for 27 to slip to 154-7 off 37 overs, and the wily spin duo had also stifled the the scoring rate, seemingly delaying a declaration. Opening bowler Sam Lees (10-1-49-2) was recalled to try and wrap up the innings, and he duly bowled the next 2 batsmen. The Suffolk Gents somewhat suprisingly chose to declare short of 200 on 191-9 from 52 overs. Garwood’s figures were 11-2-28-4.

Needing to probably score around 6 an over for victory, compared to the first innings rate of less than 4, the Essex Gents began positively, posting 25 off the first 3 overs, but stuttered to 51-3 after 10 overs. However, Khalifa Cele (72*), steadied the situation and then with support from Harry Parkes (30) and Sam Lees (36*) accelerated to claim the victory by 6 wickets with 6 overs to spare.