Scorecard

Burnham Sports CC 1st XI v South Weald on Sat 31 May 2014 at 1.30
Burnham Sports CC Won by 41 Runs

Match report By Ben Burgess
A solid all-round team performance, plus a touch of farce, enabled Burnham Sports to beat South Weald by 41 runs and move to the top of the table in the T.Rippon Mid-Essex League first division.
Sports held the initiative before a ball had been bowled when it became apparent that two of the opposition team had mistakenly driven to Burnham Cricket Club in Slough, Buckinghamshire.
The pair were embarrassed to discover that they were almost 100 miles away from their correct destination shortly before the match was scheduled to begin.
South Weald compounded their own misery by electing to field after winning the toss, believing the missing duo were merely held up by traffic congestion. They did have a twelfth man, who deputised until the 30th over when the two players eventually arrived.
By that stage, Burnham had already seized the initiative and were on their way to accumulating 254 for nine from their allotted 45 overs.
All the home team’s batsmen made contributions, with in-form Sayeid Ahmed (35) and Jack Silvester (34) leading the way.
Rob Layzell (23), Dominic Whittaker (23 not out), Joel Whittaker (21), Neil Saunders (18) and Paul Green (16) also got themselves established. Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, taking four for 54.
South Weald soon fell behind the clock when they began their reply.
Imbert, their left-handed opening batsman, ended unbeaten on 84 but it was evident from some way out that the visiting team were not going to put serious pressure on the home attack.
Andy Stephens (one for 36 from 12 overs) kept the brake on but it was left-hand spinner Tom Silvester, with a personal best haul of three for 39 from eight overs, who had most to celebrate.
James Hamilton, the captain, and Joel Whittaker shared four wickets, with Robin Whittaker taking the other to fall.
With Goresbrook and Rettendon suffering surprise defeats, Burnham’s victory was enough to give them a ten-point cushion at the top of the table with a game in hand of their nearest pursuers, who are Goresbrook and Great Totham.
“It’s very early days to be taking too much notice of the league table but we’ve won three of our four games in convincing fashion and, on the other occasion, when beaten, we were severely depleted,” Stephens said.
“We’ve not been the luckiest club over the years but we couldn’t grumble on Saturday when two of our opponents lost their bearings.
“I mischievously asked them afterwards if the other Burnham venue was nice and knew they would say it was lovely - it’s close to a National Trust beauty spot and the club’s others groups include a petanque section and crib team. It’s a pity that it is two hours away.”
This Saturday, the 1st XI play away to Rankins, who will have a spring in their step after beating Goresbrook, hot favourites to win the league, by a single wicket last week.
Burnham 2nd XI are at home to Old Chelmsfordians in a mid-table division nine fixture.
The 2nd XI’s away game against Great Baddow was disappointing, with Burnham being bundled out for just 88. Baddow breezed past that inadequate tally with eight wickets to spare.
Sports are always on the lookout for new players, of any ability. They often hold midweek net sessions and fresh faces are welcome. For more information, phone Neil Saunders, the club secretary, on 01621 784182.

Burnham Sports CC 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 35w 1b 6lb 
for 9 wickets
43
254		        
Paul Green lbw  Pye 16 2
Joel Whittaker ct Pye 21 4
Jack Silvester b Sharma 34 6
Jamie Hamilton b Sharma 8 2 1
Sayeid Ahmed st Stroud 35 4
Robin Whittaker b Sharma 21 4 1
Rob Layzell lbw Sharma 23 2 1
Neil Saunders b Pye 18 3
Dominic Whittaker Not Out  23 2 1 2
Tom Silvester ct Stroud 12 1
Andy Stephens Not Out  0 1

South Weald Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Chambers12.014500.003.75
Pye10.0078326.007.80
Sharma12.0254413.504.50
Moffatt6.003800.006.33
Stroud5.0032132.006.40

South Weald Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
14w 1b 5lb 
for 9 wickets
20
213 (45.0 overs)		     
Imbert Not Out  84
Chambers ct D.Whittaker b R.Whittaker 13
Skelton b Hamilton 18
Higgins ct D.Whittaker b Stephens 0
Harle ct & b Hamilton 14
Cutts b T.Silvester 13
Craswell ct Stephens b T.Silvester 0
Moffatt ct R.Whittaker b T.Silvester 24
Stroud b J.Whittaker 18
Pye b J.Whittaker 0
Sharma Not Out  9

Burnham Sports CC 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Robin Whittaker11.0066166.006.00
Andy Stephens12.0036136.003.00
Jamie Hamilton12.0156228.004.67
Tom Silvester8.0039313.004.88
Joel Whittaker2.001025.005.00

  • Umpire :
    -
  • Scorer :
    ss