Cricket clash (From Thurrock Gazette)

Sunday fists and seconds in action

10:03am Monday 10th September 2012 in Sport

Belhus 1st 236-9 Loughton 1st 234-8

In the first of two extraordinary close finishes played out by the two Belhus senior teams on Sunday, Belhus held their nerve in a dramatic last over from Danny Norris to seal a slender two-run victory.

On another first class surface at North Stifford, Michael Fogg continued his rich vein of batting form with a fine 62, while Chris Baker top socred for the home side with 67 runs. Belhus will be staging the ECB Home Counties' Over 50s County Championship final between Surrey and Hertfordshire at North Stifford this Sunday (16 September), starting at noon.

Match sponsorship has kindly been provided by East London Mobile Tyre Sevice.

 

Belhus 2nd 196-5

Tillingham 193-9

Belhus undertook the long haul to Tillingham on Sunday and returned with the spoils after a very tight finish. Belhus teed off with a steady opening partnership of 63 between Jim Banner and Peter Clark, but five wickets fell for 59 runs including Banner for a busy 40 runs, which included seven boundaries.

Scott Stonham 65 not out (ten fours, one six), accompanied by Jack Plane, 24 not out, set about repairing the innings, despite the best spin efforts of Tillingham's Potten, who picked up 4 for 38. In response, the hosts lost an early wicket but Ford (45) and Barrell set about the Belhus attack.

Once Ford had departed, leg before to Plane, Barrell was becalmed by a tight offside line and was joined by a succession of partners who failed to handle the teasing decorum of Jim Banner (4-33) and the swing of Jack Plane (2-37).

A couple of run outs assisted, one of which was a brilliant pick up and throw to the non-striker's end, while Barrell was left stranded on 86 not out as his team fell just three runs short of the Belhus score.