Boys secure Bank Holiday win double

After last week's fine win at Goresbrook, it was vital we secured another Peter Coe Cup victory at home to Kelvedon & Feering: two places I have never heard of but traditionally a strong cricket side.

In fine weather, on a belting track and rapid outfield, skipper Alec Chappell won the toss and elected to bat. He got the innings off to a quick start with partner Adam Bassingthwaighte, but Kelvedon's two opening bowlers were getting late movement at decent pace and Alec was yorked with his score on 13. When Joe Hawkins followed shortly afterwards to an almost identical delivery from the pacy Jones, we were 24-2 and in a little trouble. Thankfully Bradley Moon was soon putting bat to ball in customary style, and he and Adam took the score to 49 before Adam unluckily fell LBW for 12. Will Price and Brad then batted sensibly before Brad had a rush of blood and ran himself out for a powerful 29 after seeing his lofted drive spilled at mid off.

We were 75-4 in only 13 overs and seemed in danger of being bowled out well inside 30 overs, but our batting line up is deep and I was hopeful that our middle and lower order would take advantage of Kelvedon's second string bowlers.

This proved to be the case, as Will Price and Joe Burslem picked up where they left off last week against Goresbrook. Will accumulated a sensible 21 before guiding the ball into slip's midriff, while Joe began to unfurl some good shots at the other end. Harry Griffin came into join Joe and hit his first three balls for four, and suddenly a big total looked on the cards. Harry fell for 23 but this didn't slow us down as Adam Crowther came in and timed the ball beautifully. Meanwhile Joe's innings was becoming a masterclass as he used his feet and hit the ball straight with superb timing and immaculate shot selection.

It was no more than he deserved when he reached his half century in the final over, with Adam finishing unbeaten on 25. Our total of 211-6 felt like a very good total regardless of the excellent batting conditions.

In reply, Kelvedon's openers both looked confident, although Sam Gardner's very good opening spell tested them both and Harry Griffin beat the bat on a number of occasions. Alec came into the attack and took the first wicket, getting revenge on Jones by removing his middle stump. Adam Crowther then got in on the act, removing Kelly with a beauty that nipped back and hit the top of middle. Kelvedon skipper King began hitting the ball powerfully but the run rate was climbing all the time. At the halfway stage Kelvedon were 65-2, needing almost 10 an over which felt unlikely as our fielding had been exceptional, with Ben Warman especially impressive and Joe Hawkins superb behind the stumps.

Although we weren't able to keep up these high standards for the entire innings, the visitors couldn't get close to our big total and finished 45 short. Wickets for Joe Burslem and Connor Mak, and a neat run out by Harry Griffin capped a very good display.

I was very impressed with the boys' display, as were many watching club members. Kelvedon had a number of good cricketers and a year ago we would probably have subsided to 140 all out against a similar bowling line up. We benefited from a few dropped catches but the boys were positive throughout and deserved their victory.