Scorecard

South Weald v Burnham Sports CC 1st XI on Sat 02 Aug 2014 at 1.30
Burnham Sports CC Won By 3 Runs

Match report A superb unbeaten century by captain Jamie Hamilton inspired promotion-chasing Burnham Sports to a tense three-run victory away to South Weald.
Hamilton thumped 101 not out to help his team accumulate 251 for seven from their allotted 45 overs in the T-Rippon first division fixture. South Weald almost spoilt his party, though, coming withing one more blow of pulling off an unlikely success.
The home side, bottom of the table and struggling to avoid relegation, required 80 from the final ten overs and arrived at the final one, bowled by Fuad Ahmed, needing 13. The eighth-wicket pair of Harle (25 not out) and Pye (20 not out) did their utmost but came up just short.
“Scoring a century is always a special feeling but it would have felt hollow had we lost,” a relieved Hamilton said. “South Weald gave us a real scare but we just about held our nerve.”
Burnham were winning their fourth match in succession for the first time since 2010 - when they won seven in a row - and victory enabled them to jump back to top spot in the table, a point ahead of title rivals Goresbrook. The pair have a healthy advantage over Rettendon, who are third.
Sports won the toss and elected to make first use of a hard, dry pitch that suited batting. Nick Gosling (25) and Robin Whittaker (31) provided another solid platform, with Joel Whittaker (24), Neil Saunders (24) and Jack Silvester (14 near the finish) also making useful contributions .
It was Hamilton, batting at No 6, who stole the show, though, as he hit 12 fours and four sixes on the way to reaching his hundred. It was his third century for the club - and the first time that he has reached three figures since 2009, when he plundered 120 against Rayleigh.
After tea, it was a case of missed opportunities for Burnham.
Imbert, South Weald’s opening batsman, was dropped on two occasions early on and took advantage, making 81 before the prolific Robin Whittaker disturbed his stumps.
Whittaker was again the most impressive of the Burnham attack and finished with figures of three for 42 from 12 overs.
Tom Silvester, who is enjoying a good run of form with the ball, was also effective, claiming two for 58 from ten overs with his spin.
“Our fielding performance really let us down, making it hard work for our bowlers,” Hamilton said. “We will need to improve this quickly, as we face a tough run-in.”
Three wins from their final four games will guarantee Sports promotion. This Saturday, they play Rankins at home (start 1pm), having won the reverse fixture by eight wickets in June.
Hamilton faces a selection headache as Paul Green, Sayeid Ahmed, Rob Layzell, Neil Wade and, possibly, Andy Stephens are all available again.
The return of that quintet will boost Burnham’s 2nd XI, who were severely depleted for their game against high-flying Great Baddow in division nine and lost by nine wickets.
Burnham fielded four players who had not played for the club for at least a year and were bowled out for 87. Steve Sims (20) and Shalab Aggarwal (22), playing for the first time since 2011, were responsible for almost half that tally.
Great Baddow needed fewer than 20 overs to reach their target, Roger Perrin taking the only wicket to fall. This weekend, the 2nd XI play away to Old Chelmsfordians 3rd XI.

Burnham Sports CC 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
2nb 7w 9b 4lb 
for 7 wickets
22
251		        
Nick Gosling ct Pye B Hull 25 4 1
Robin Whittaker b Hull 31 6
Fuad Ahmed b F. Harle 3
Grant Smith ct S. Harle B Hull 7 1
Joel Whittaker ct S. Harle B Stroud 24 5
Jamie Hamilton Not Out  101 12 4
Neil Saunders b Pye 24 3 1
Jack Silvester ct Todd B F. Harle 14
Tom Silvester   1 1
Dominic Whittaker   1
Dennis Silvester  

South Weald Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Harle11.0157228.505.18
Hull12.0050316.674.17
Pye12.0070170.005.83
Stroud6.0034134.005.67
Todd4.002700.006.75

South Weald Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
25w 4b 10lb 
for 7 wickets
39
248 (45.0 overs)		     
Imbert b R. Whittaker 81 10
Skelton ct D. Whittaker B R. Whittaker 15 3
Lingala b T. Silvester 40 5
S. Harle lbw J. Hamilton 16 2
Crasswell ct & B T. Silvester 4
Hull b R. Whittaker 0
F. Harle Not Out  25 1
Todd run out (T. Silvester) 8 1
Pye Not Out  20 1
   
   

Burnham Sports CC 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Robin Whittaker12.0342314.003.50
Fuad Ahmed12.026400.005.33
Jamie Hamilton7.0034134.004.86
Joel Whittaker4.003600.009.00
Tom Silvester10.0058229.005.80