Just like old times as Terry Rist guides one towards the covers, playing for the President’s Xi verses the Club at Marigolds on Sunday.
Saturday 26th August.
Harlow I XI 202-7 lost to Basildon 206-5
The late arrival of the usual Harlow opening batsmen, forced skipper Simon Baulcomb to re-shuffle his batting order. Makeshift opener Luke Heskett, being out twice in the first three balls (the 1st a no ball) , emphasised the problem this caused.
After which the Harlow Batting settled down & moved steadily towards 200 & maximum batting points. The 200 being hit of the last ball of the 52 overs.
With Andrew Corliss not really being at the races Basildon were rarely troubled in their run chase, overhauling the Harlow total with five wickets in hand.
Harlow II Xi 162 all out beat Westcliff 139 all out.
After heavy overnight showers, the II’s were indebted to Terry Rist who ground out a solid 53 in appauling batting conditions as they crawled to a total of 162.
Bowling in by now drying conditions, suited Nigel Aspinall down to the ground & his contribution of 7-25 was (the best for the club all year) was enough to ensure that Westcliff were well beaten in the end..
Harlow III XI 161 all out lost to Walthamstow 162-2.
Missing all their experienced pace attack & most of their experienced batting the III’s battled hard to score a respectable total in poor batting conditions at the infamous ‘Peter May Centre’ . Most of the batsmen made starts but were unable to push on as the ball swung, seamed, stopped & either flew or stayed low oftens in the same delivery! The total of 161 being ground out in 50 overs.
In drying conditions the III’s bowling attack, whilst being accurate never really posed enough threat to a Walthamstow side which paced their reply to perfection, taking the minimum of risks. The 8 wicket loss didn’t reflect the effort the Harlow bowlers & fielders put into the match, as they fought to the very last ball to get just one more wicket.
The loss, combined with Woodford Green’s victory over Promotion contenders Harold Wood now means that relegation now looks probable rather than possible.