Boys win sunny Sunday mismatch

It's a common saying in sport that you can only beat what's in front of you, and without wishing to be rude to our visitors on Sunday, it became apparent very quickly that Dunmow would not be presenting our side with too many problems.

Dunmow won the toss and unfortunately elected to bat. The misfortune was mainly for our players, most of whom were denied the opportunity to contribute with the bat as we skittled our visitors for a paltry 73. Sam Gardner bowled an excellent opening spell, his pace forcing the batsmen on to the back foot before he dismissed them by pitching the ball up. Sam finished with 2-13, while Connor Mak proceeded to bowl his best spell of the summer, taking 3-13 from three accurate overs, with help from two catches by Chris Millns at cover. Millns had opened the bowling only to struggle with his length, but came back to bowl much better at the death, picking up a pair of wickets, while Charlie Peace continued his good form to chip in with a couple. Ben Warman picked up his customary reward for giving the ball a decent tweak, and the innings was done in 19.2 overs.

Any idea Dunmow may have had of winning the game disappeared as soon as they saw the broad bats of Adam Bassingthwaighte and Will Price. Will was in particularly fluent form and reached 26 not out quickly, while Adam played tip and run to rotate the strike. Bradley Moon helped himself to three boundaries in his rapid 15*, and we were finished all too soon.

Dunmow had fielded what they felt was a strong side, but the difference in the strength of the opponents we have faced in the West Essex League compared to the Herts League is significant. Having said that, we play Saffron Walden next and I suspect that they will be considerably stronger.