Burnham Sports face another daunting challenge on Saturday when they play Old Chelmsfordians at Millfields.
Sports are bottom of the T Rippon Mid-Essex League Premier Division, having failed to win any of their eight fixtures this season. By contrast, the Old Boys are top, securing their seventh win of the campaign with a crushing 212-run defeat of Little Baddow last weekend.
“It looks a bit of a mismatch when you look at our respective results this season,” Jamie Hamilton, the Burnham captain, admitted. “There is great depth to their team and most people make them favourites to go on and win the title. We will give it our best shot.”
Burnham had been hoping to break their duck away to fellow strugglers High Roding last Saturday, but the match was abandoned at the halfway stage after incessant rain.
The home team had the initiative at that stage, having rattled up 279 for seven in a game reduced to 40 overs each by the elements.
Burnham’s bowlers failed to take advantage of what were, initially, favourable conditions. Then, as the ball became wet, it became a case of damage limitation.
High Roding raced to three figures in the 14th over, for the loss of only one wicket, and never looked back.
Ben Gallop thumped a century off just 76 balls before being caught at mid-off by Nick Gosling off the bowling of Andy Stephens.The latter, trundling in off a few paces after injuring his left foot, took three for 51 from his ten overs.
Hamilton (two for 58) and Robin Whittaker (two for 68) also got among the wickets, while Tom Silvester, as usual, fielded superbly - taking a superb one-handed catch in the deep.
“Overall, we didn’t bowl well, there were far too many four-balls,” Hamilton said. “Chasing seven runs per over would have been a difficult challenge, although the wicket was covered and played every well.”
Meanwhile, Tom’s dad, Dennis, was enjoying himself in Burnham’s 2nd XI fixture against Broomfield in division nine.
Silvester Sr scooped three for 26 as Broomfield were reduced to 104 for eight after 32 overs. Greg Campion (three for 19) and David May (two for 23) had also combined to put Burnham, seeking a fourth successive win, in control.
Unfortunately, the efforts of the trio were in vain and rain washed out any further play.
This Saturday, the 2nd XI travel to Southend Trojans.