Chelmsford Cricket Club Report for 29 & 30 April After three wins out of three on the opening Saturday, it was a rather more mixed tale for Chelmsford on the second weekend of the season. The Saturday first team and in particular, Matt Thurston continued their dominant form, with a ten-wicket win over Harlow. The three home games at Chelmer Park were all close, two ending in draws, one with scores level and the other with a one-wicket defeat. On Sunday, the first team slumped to defeat via an appalling batting display but James Stock led the second team to a good win. The Saturday seconds, thirds and fourths provided the home crowd with three exciting contests. Gary Chidley rescued Chelmsford from 41 for five and they posted 161-7. Harlow finished two runs short on 160 for eight for a draw. The thirds came desperately close to beating Hornchurch. Dave Goddard started the season in good form, making 55 and Barry Clayden was unbeaten again, making 50 in Chelmsford’s 175 for four in a forty-over match. The Hornchurch captain played extremely well, making 114 not out but most of the rest came and went in short order. Imran Ahktar added three wickets to his seven from last week, Mark Coups and Steve Bond bagged a brace apiece but Hornchurch’s last pair sneaked them over the victory line. Twelve-year old Guy Balmford top scored with 42 for the fourth team against Hutton. He and Ali Panjwani (33) gave Chelmsford a solid start and John Ninnian’s 35 not out enabled Chelmsford to reach 201 for seven. Either side might have won from the final ball but it ended with the scores level and Hutton nine wickets down. Omair Riasat took three wickets. On Sunday, the first team produced some high quality bowling to roll South Woodford out for 83. Dammika Perera and Toby Hughes were a hostile opening attack and their early thrusts were followed up by Ian Hare, Simon Evans, Keith Goodman and Craig Thompson. At 32 without loss, Chelmsford were cruising to a win. Forty runs later they were all out, unable to cope with Neicho (8-19) who bamboozled the batsmen by bowling consistently straight. Dave Goddard’s young charges enjoyed more success, beating St Margarets by six wickets. Leigh looked capable of doing real damage until a good catch from Liam Thrift off Tom Halsey ended his innings on 56. Anthony Holland returned four for 42 as St Margarets posted 156 for nine. James Stock played sensibly and then very fluently making 67 with Goddard (32) providing good support. The under-16 Matchplay campaign started on Bank Holiday Monday. Unfortunately, overnight rain caused an abandonment leaving Chelmsford and opponents Colchester sharing the points. Reports Saturday 1st Team Shepherd Neame Essex League Cup Played at Marigolds, Harlow Harlow 199-7 Chelmsford 200-0 (Chelmsford won by 10 wickets) Chelmsford began their competitive campaign in fine fashion with a resounding 10 wicket victory over Harlow in the 1st round of the league cup. Matt Thurston was the star of the show, contributing a magnificent 114 not out as Chelmsford reached their target of 200 without losing a wicket. Matt, 18, displayed a full array of shots and wonderful timing in a chanceless innings of real quality that the Harlow bowlers had no answer to. Duncan Paveling proved an ideal foil for Matt with 61 not out including some fine shots of his own. Duncan has re-joined the club after a period away and it was good to see him back. Earlier in the day, Chelmsford’s bowlers had restricted Harlow to 199-7 from 45 overs. James Arnold, 18, continued his good early season form with 2-35. Dammika Perera with 1-35 gave a promising debut and looks like he will provide a potent new ball threat for Chelmsford this summer. Eddie Lawrence (1-27) and Neil Fergus, (0-37) gave some control and built pressure in the middle of the innings. Neil, a former club captain is another player making a welcome return. Matt Poole (2-38) did an excellent job under pressure at the end. Simon Balcomb with 81 for Harlow hit some lusty blows in what could have been a testing chase for Chelmsford before the efforts of Thurston and Paveling. Chelmsford will face Wickford in the next round at Chelmer Park on Saturday. 2nd Team Friendly Played at Chelmer Park Chelmsford 161-7 Harlow 160-8 (Match drawn) Some sloppy Chelmsford play almost consigned them to defeat. With the notable exception of Gary Chidley, the top order suffered something of a nightmare. Stone (4-29) bowled very well and his four wickets had Chelmsford reeling at 41 for five. Chidley found good support from Neal Abhyankar and those two began to prosper against the change bowling. Abhyankar was caught on the boundary for 30 but Chidley continued to play well and Adel Dewan kept him company in a useful knock. Chidley’s impressive vigil ended at 83 as he tried to force the pace. Shortly after that, Chelmsford declared at 160 for seven. Harlow’s chase was given good momentum by Chelmsford, 39 extras was by far the best contributor. Umrish Pandya (3-35) made some inroads but the lower middle order almost took Harlow to victory with some lusty hitting garnering 55 runs from the last 6 overs but just two too few for them. Chelmsford contributed further to their problems with chances going begging. Scores 3rd Team Friendly Played at Chelmer Park Chelmsford 175-4 Hornchurch 176-9 (Hornchurch won by 1 wicket) 4th Team Friendly Played at Chelmer Park Chelmsford 201-7 Hutton 201-9 (Match Drawn) Sunday 1st Team Friendly Played at South Woodford South Woodford 83 all out Chelmsford 72 all out (South Woodford won by 11 runs) Sunday 2nd Team Friendly Played at Chelmer Park St Margarets 156-9 Chelmsford 157-4 (Chelmsford won by 6 wickets)