CHELMSFORD I................................209-5 dec

ORSETT..............................................101 all out

(Chelmsford won by 108 runs)

(Shepherd Neame Essex League)

After the previous week's defeat to Hadleigh & Thundersley, it was imperative Chelmsford got straight back into winning ways on Saturday, to maintain their push for League honours.

Victory was duly achieved in some style with a 103 run victory over Orsett.

The key to this performance was the batting which showed a significant improvement from recent weeks.

The earlier start time brought complications for the Orsett players and the game commenced with the bizarre spectacle of Chelmsford batting, having been put in, against only five players.

This did not prevent Orsett from claiming an early wicket; Chris Cakebread caught behind.

Further wickets followed and the Chelmsford batting, so strong on paper, once again showed signs of frailty again.

Tim Jones and Neil Fergus provided consolidation with a fine fourth wicket partnership of 105 that pushed the initiative Chelmsford's way.

On Fergus's dismissal, one short of a deserved half century, Paul Jones kept the momentum going with some attractive strokeplay.

Tim Jones was eventually dismissed for 80 but Paul Jones (33 n.o) and Martin Daniels (10no) guided the team to an early declaration after only 40 overs with the score on 209 for five.

The pitch was playing well, although unsurprisingly after the midweek rain, the much discussed 'tennis ball bounce' was not in evidence here.

There was little pace in the pitch but with proper application on it, Chelmsford proved that runs could be scored at a good rate.

The declaration therefore, was a challenging one, inviting Orsett to go for the win. Their reply, however, faltered from the start against disciplined bowling.

Eddie Lawrence (3-41) made early inroads in the top order batting with three early wickets.

Tim Jones and Simon Evans took valuable middle order scalps and Keith Goodman (4-20) who claimed the last three wickets in nine balls quashed any thoughts of tail-end resistance.

The last wicket fell with plenty of time to spare, leaving Orsett 106 all out and Chelmsford victorious by a handsome margin.

Associated MediaBase generously sponsored the match and Tim Jones was adjudged to be the sponsor's man of the match.

Results elsewhere mean that Chelmsford have a lead of 24 points over their new nearest rivals Hadleigh & Thundersley who won on Saturday, while Colchester slipped to third after drawing at Chingford.

On Saturday Chelmsford face Colchester at Chelmer Park in the knowledge that a win would virtually assure a promotion place.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.