Cruise control

High Roding have progressed to the latter stages of the Essex Cup competition thanks to their early season victory at our ground when we underperformed badly. Thankfully, we were able to get some revenge for that defeat on a cloudy morning at Cloghams CC.

Roding batted first and lost an early wicket when Adam Crowther took a return catch to dismiss Sturge. A second wicket stand of 49 seemed to put Roding in control, but Chris Millns continued his exceptional bowling form this season to dismiss Entwhistle and Hoile in quick succession.

Before the drinks break at half way, our fielding had been sloppy and several catches spilled, but the arrival of some squash seemed to provide just the boost we needed, and we upped our game significantly to whittle out the reminaing Roding batsmen for 107. Wickets were shared, with Millns (2-10) and Ben Warman (2-15) the most successful while our three lefties - messrs Finch, Peace and Burslem - snaffled a wicket apiece.

In reply, Friday's horror show at Hertford was consigned to the memory banks as Will Price and Adam Bassingthwaighte played maturely and sensibly on the slow, low surface. Both retired at 25, and we went on to win at a canter by 8 wickets with over 4 overs to spare.

Whatever coach Dave Hardcastle said at that drinks break seemed to chime with the boys, who went on to play with maturity and no litle skill. We now have two wins in two in this competition and with three games to come could end up winning our section.