Controversy hits Reserve League Cup and Coggeshall A Reserves may face expulsion

I had assumed that the First Round ties of both Cup competitions would run smoothly, and by and large they did with some amazing individual performances thrown in for good measure, including probably the highest score ever made by a player batting at number six. However, the down side is the one "shock" result that occurred as Coggeshall A Reserves defeated Witham Reserves. Unfortunately for Coggeshall A Reserves, even though the result will remain as a win on their record, their progress in the Cup is extremely doubtful after they played two players who have played in Coggeshall's first team this season, one in a league match and one in their Preliminary Round Cup tie. Never before has this affected a Cup match, and a points deduction would not affect Witham Reserves who are in a different division. Therefore the only fair solution would be to expel Coggeshall A Reserves from the competition and re-instate Witham Reserves, or replay the match.

BDICL Cup.

Coggeshall v Terling
Terling got a stern lesson from Coggeshall , as the League Champions dished out a 92 run thrashing. 43 from Sam Blackwell, and 33 from Ollie Blackwell, helped Coggeshall to close on 159-5. Ben Stephens and Jim Rees each then took two wickets as Terling were dismissed for 67. Coggeshall will now meet Shalford in the Second Round.

Bocking v Little Bardfield Village
65 not out from Paul Cockley and 34 from David Cole helped Bocking close on 128-5. Little Bardfield Village made a decent attempt at causing an upset with Eddie Hitchcock, 37, and Peter Bray, 24, giving them a decent start, but Lloyd Edwards then took 3-20 and their innings subsided from 41-0 to 97 all out. Bocking now face Braintree Youth in Round Two.

Braintree v Witham
Witham maintained their advantage in Cup matches against Witham as Greg Taylor took them to a dramatic final ball, one wicket victory. Dean Bass, 36, Danny King, 28, and 27 not out from Jamie Foyster helped Braintree close on 121-5. Kaan Hawes, 29, and Matt Watson, 24, got Witham off to a decent start, but wickets fell and it all came down to Greg Taylor, who saw Witham through to 125-5 off the last ball. Coggeshall Hamlet now await Witham in the next round.

Helions Bumpstead v Coggeshall Hamlet
Coggeshall Hamlet qualified for that tie against Witham by trouncing Helions Bumpstead by 84 runs. Matthew Hart, 61 not out, Andy Goding 44 not out, and 37 not out from James Neale took Coggeshall Hamlet to a massive 178-4. Helions Bumpstead soon lost two early wickets and that was, effectively, that. Paul Brazier, 35 not out, and Gary Dicker, 25 not out, made runs but runs to affect the outcome and they closed on 94-3.

Braintree College v Sampfords
While all the Division One clubs will face each other in the Second Round, Braintree College will face Great Totham in a contest between Divisions Two and Three. Sampfords must have thought they had done enough when they closed with 140-4 on the board. 52 from Green Banks, and 29 not out from Ryan Webster setting up what should be a winning total. It was not, and it took a stunning 67 not out from Robbie Spalding to take the Collegians to a one wicket win with 141-5. James Garner adding 26.

High Garrett v Shalford
No joy for the one remaining Division Four team as Shalford comfortably progressed by five wickets with overs to spare, Chris Porter hit 33 in their total of 92-5 from eleven overs, but Dan Grice, 26 not out, and Russell Dawes, 29 not out then set Shalford up for the win that takes them through to meet Coggeshall.

Rayne v Braintree Youth
A formality for Braintree Youth after Rayne had only scored 82-5. Two wickets each for Michael Joyce and Steve Hale. Dave Denny, 25, Steve Hale, 27, and Andrew Sherry, 21, all not out, then saw the Youth through to 85-2 without breaking sweat. Bocking await, and some rivalry there.

Dunmow v Great Totham
Dunmow gave themselves a slight handicap by only having five men for this contest against Division Three's in form team, Great Totham, and they paid the price eventually. They did score 125-2 with Luke Swanston, Majid Raja, ben Connolly, and Paul Reid all scoring between 25 and 30 but the gaps in the field were exploited by Great Totham who calmly breezed through to 126-3 with two overs to spare. Now either they or Braintree College will in the Semi-Finals with three teams from Division One.

The Reserve League Cup.

Helions Bumpstead Res. v Kelvedon & F. Res.
44 not out from Josh King, 37 not out from Stuart Bonvini, and 27 not out from James Bonvini too Kelvedon & Feering Reserves to a decent total of 129-3. They soon had Helions Bumpstead Reserves on 12-2. Russell Davis did hit 30 and Callum Lewis, 35, but they could only get their reply to 105 before the final curtain fell. Braintree Reserves await in the Second Round for Kelvedon & Feering Reserves.

Shalford Reserves v Sampfords Reserves
Shalford Reserves hit a staggering 185-5 in this tie between two Division Four teams, with Craig Swan scoring 43, and J.Clifford, 25, but both were outshone by Lee Godding, batting at number six and scoring a monstrous 87 not out, 72 of which came in sixes. Shame they do not count in the Individual Awards. Simon Green hit 27, and Steve Ward, 47 as Sampfords Reserves were dismissed for 96. Division Five opposition for them in the next round in the guise of Coggeshall III.

West Bergholt v Woodham Mortimer Reserves
A close fought contest by the top two in Division Five saw West Bergholt come out on top by 15 runs. 56 from Dave Applin helping West Bergholt to 127, but leaving nearly three overs unused. Andy Smith then hit 38 for Woodham Mortimer Reserves before he was run out in the final over with their reply on 112. Rayne Reserves are their next opponents in this Cup.

Coggeshall III v Boreham Reserves
Coggeshall III's made heavy weather of winning this all-Division Five contest with Boreham Reserves. Iestyn Powell hit 33 of Boreham Reserves total of 49, but then Coggeshall III's lost four wickets before they finally crossed the winning line thanks to 32 not out from Jonny Girling. Shalford Reserves will be a tougher opponent next.

Bocking Reserves v Coggeshall Reserves
The big contest of the round as they two Division Two clubs went head-to-head but it generated little in the way of thrills. Danny McIntyre taking three wickets in one over, all bowled to polish Coggeshall Reserves off for just 49. Rob May then 25 not out, as Bocking Reserves crept their way to 50-3. The Cup holders now face opponents, yet to be decided in the next round.

Braintree Reserves v Kelvedon & Feering III
The third year running these two have met in this round, and the third year running Braintree Reserves have won, this time increasing the margin to 63 runs. Glen Smith's late onslaught took his score to 77 not out as Braintree Reserves closed with 157-5, Steve Isaac adding 30. Kelvedon & Feering III's batted well in their reply but the task was just too great for them and they were dismissed in nine overs for 94, Sam King scoring 35, and Bryony Butcher, 28. Joel Ainsley finishing with 3-20. More Kelvedon opponents for Braintree in the next round.

Witham Reserves v Coggeshall A Reserves
The records books will say that the bottom club in the entire League, Coggeshall A Reserves defeated Witham Reserves by two wickets, but they did so with two players who have appear for Coggeshall this season in their six. Joe Suett hit 70 not out as Witham Reserves closed on 124-5. Ryan Parker then hit 45 not out, and Aaron Keeble hit 46 not out as they reached 125-4, but Aaron Keeble had played for Coggeshall in the Preliminary Round of the BDICL Cup and Harry Carter in one Division One for them. A verdict will be announced shortly as to whom will face Bocking Reserves.

Rayne Reserves v Halstead
Rayne Reserves may be struggling in Division Three but they brushed aside Halstead to progress to a tie with West Bergholt in Round Two, Gareth Fisher hitting 53 not out, and Phil Wade, 36 as they closed on 125-4. No big scores for Halstead as they were dismissed for 76. Two wickets for Richard Dawson.

Current League Tables>>

February 7th 2010

Lowest scorers but one more win should just about settle it

It is very unusual to find the lowest run scorers in any division sitting on top of that table, let alone also being undefeated. Well, that is the position in which Braintree Youth now find themselves after making it ten out of ten for the season with a hard fought yet seemingly comfortable five wicket victory over Bocking. Now with just four league matches to play and a 31 point lead at the top just one more win should really be enough, along with bonus points, to see them regain the League Championship for the first time since 2005. Unfortunately the gloss of Braintree Youth's rise back to the top is over-shadowed by two incidents in matches that I would rather not have to report upon, and it is my desire to see the matters dealt with internally by those teams and not for the Committee to have to sit in judgment. The use of vulgar language in front of a gallery containing families with young children is to be deplored. In fact, the usage of loud foul language is not welcome at any time. Secondly, accusations of cheating should also be kept to a polite enquiry of the officials rather than being as they were on Sunday. Something that lead to players actually leaving the field of play until matters had been smoothed over. I want to see fair play being maintained at all times. I know we can all get embroiled in the passion of fighting for a cause, a Championship, a Cup, avoiding relegation, of just defeating a local standing rival, but let us not overlook the fact that we participate as much for enjoyment as for victory. I sincerely hope that this will be last I have to report about the incidents that rather overshadowed some exciting action.

Braintree Youth defeated Bocking by five wickets after dismissing Bocking for 75, but Steve Hale said that Braintree Youth had to work very hard to win the match against some good Bocking bowling. Michael Joyce took two wickets in first two overs to keep Bocking under the cosh, and with Andrew Sherry also taking two, Bocking were dismissed for 75, of which Bobby Don hit 39 before he was run out in the final over. Braintree Youth looked to be getting both openers through to retirement, Warren Celiz did with 25, but Steve Hale was run out on 24. That was their only loss of wicket as they moved through to 79, but it did take eleven overs to get there. Coggeshall slipped three points further adrift as they lost four wickets chasing down Coggeshall Hamlet's all out score of 88. Matthew Hart, once again, leading the way for the Hamlet with 34. Coggeshall then lost two wickets in their first over as Adam Robinson was run out, and Jim Rees bowled, both for 0. Craig Lesiak soon followed for 8, but 32 not out from Ollie Blackwell, and 29 not out from Ben Stephens saw them home. Braintree gained revenge for their Cup loss, seven days earlier, to Witham by defeating them by two wickets, in a high scoring encounter. Witham scored 147-2 batting first, with Kaan Hawes, Matt Watson, Leroy Facey and Paul Bellehewe all scoring 26 or better. Witham needed to keep the contest and their emotions under control, but this did not happen and Dean Bass gave Braintree's reply the early impetus it required. He went on to score 39 before he was run out, but Daryl Hymas, 40 not out, and Jamie Foyster, 24 not out, aided by Daniel Broyd's four stroke 19, saw Braintree through to 150-4 with three balls to spare. It was Braintree's first league win over Witham at the Leisure Centre since October 1999. So Witham remain 22 points adrift of Coggeshall Hamlet in the relegation contest, and they will know that they have to win at least twice in their remaining four matches to survive. Shalford's hopes are almost over after they were crushed by 65 runs by Kelvedon & Feering. Kelvedon amassed a massive 181-4 with James Baker, 57 not out, Ed Smith, 44 not out, Matt Bridger, 36, and Josh Parsons, 21, reveling with the bat. Dan Grice then hit 77 not out, to save Shalford from total annihilation as they closed on 116-5.

A couple of surprises in Division Two, not least the defeat of the leaders, Bocking Reserves in a tempestuous contest with Braintree College. Over 310 runs were scored in the match as the bowlers, by and large, suffered. Danny McIntyre hit 60 as Bocking Reserves closed with 155-5 on the board. Rob May, 33, and Martin Cutmore, 27 not out, helping him out. Braintree College then came out determined to maintain their good record at the Leisure Centre this season, and all their batsmen contributed as they got through to 156-3 with three balls to spare. Trevor Spalding top scored with 36 not out, but Robbie Spalding's 30 not out, Russell Haythorpe's 25 not out, and Dan Garner's 28, were all equally as valuable. Dan actually being dismissed in the final over to give Bocking Reserves a third valuable point. Terling's amazing turn around in fortunes continues unabated as they piled more misery upon their favourites opponents, neighbours Boreham. Oh how Boreham must hate this fixture as in four contests they have never scored more than 83, and this season have been dismissed for a combined total of 68 runs, and lost by a combined 227 runs, with Terling now recording a third straight 15-0 points victory over them. John Marshall, 47 not out, Tristan Woolfenden, 33, helped Terling close on 143-5. Boreham lasted just 3.4 overs in reply. Tristan Woolfenden taking 3-13, and Gavin Woolfenden 2-6 as Boreham were dismissed for just 22. Now Terling stand just two wins away from what, at the start of the season, would have seemed impossible, promotion to Division One. Helions Bumpstead are still favourites to go up too after defeating Rayne by three wickets. Rayne, who are now almost dead in the water as far as avoiding the drop is concerned, scored 123-4 thanks to 44 not out from Richard Banks and 26 not out from Rob Kearney. Helions Bumpstead then hit 22 from their first over to take control and they moved through to 124-3 with an over to spare, with their top four batsmen all scoring 20+. Dunmow ended their club record nine match losing sequence with a three wicket victory over Coggeshall Reserves, a result which very much keeps the pot boiling as regards the relegation battle. Coggeshall Reserves scored a decent enough 132-2 with most of their batsmen contributing, but Dunmow knew their existence in this division required a good win in this fixture and with Ben Connolly, 33 not out, helped by 26 from Paul Reid, and 24 from Majid Raja, both also not out, they got to 134-3 with an over to spare, and now they are just two points behind their opponents in the table.

Woodham Mortimer have, all but, secured promotion to Division Three, now that they have a 42 point lead over the third placed team in Division Four. The Championship will also soon be in their grasp after a destructive six wicket victory over Margaretting. Keith "Peggy" Mitchell took 3-10 as Margaretting were dismissed for 46. Damian Fannon then reached 25 as Woodham Mortimer ambled through to 47-0 with the ninth over of their reply. Shalford Reserves enhanced their position in second place after thumping an under-strength Braintree Reserves team by 88 runs. Lee Godding hit 47, with Ben Green and Craig Swan adding 26's as Shalford Reserves were dismissed for 134, with Chris Edwards taking 3-31 for Braintree Reserves. Whereas Braintree Reserves had let slip chances in the field, Shalford Reserves did not, and they made Braintree Reserves pay by dismissing them for 46, of which James Chalk scored 25. Graham Brown taking the last three wickets in the only five balls he bowled, a wicket with each alternate ball. Braintree Reserves slipped down to fifth as Helions Bumpstead Reserves moved up two places to third after defeating Earls Colne by one wicket. Himesh Patel top scored with 22 not out as Colne closed on 88-4. Helions Bumpstead Reserves then almost made a total horlicks of their reply, but in the end they were thankful to young Callum Lewis's 23 not out to see them through to 90-5 with seven balls to spare. John Gibson took three catches for Earls Colne. Hope springs eternal for Sampfords Reserves as they ended their club record eight match losing sequence with a narrow three run victory over High Garrett. James Poulson, 38, and Steve Ward, 37 not out, helping Sampfords Reserves close on 126-4, Mike Fish 3-22. John Porter, 50 not out, and Mike Fish, 40 not out, carried the fight for High Garrett, but the task was beyond them, and the margin of victory was only dramatically narrowed when John Porter hit each of the final four deliveries for six.

The top two in Division Five gained a double boost on Sunday, as not only did they both win their matches, but their promotion hopes were raised even further by the ties match played out between Little Bardfield Village Reserves and Coggeshall III, a result remarkable for the fact that it was the first time that Little Bardfield Village Reserves had failed to win at Notley this season, and the first time, in a league match this season, that Coggeshall III's had failed to lose there. Little Bardfield Village Reserves closed with 81-5 on the board with Rory Hitchcock top scoring with 25 not out, as Paul Brown and Jonny Girling each claimed two wickets. Coggeshall III's looked dead in the water at one stage but the efforts of Steve Plampin eventually got the scores level, but then off the last ball of the eleventh over he was caught and bowled by Peter Stone for 48, a wicket that gave Stone figures of 4-9 from his three overs. West Bergholt, after suffering defeat in their previous league match, got back on track with a three wicket victory over the bottom team, Coggeshall A Reserves. Adam Egg scored 47 as Coggeshall A Reserves closed with a decent 107-5 in the book, but it was not enough to prevent West Bergholt reaching 109-3 inside ten overs, with 24's from Matt Francis and Dave Applin being added to by 26 not out from Neil Hunt. They also moved one point further ahead of Woodham Mortimer Reserves who defeated Boreham Reserves by two wickets. Neil Collins' 41 not rescued Boreham Reserves from being 20-3 to close on 77-4, but although no one batsmen dominated for Woodham Mortimer Reserves, their combined efforts did get them to 78-4 with more than two overs in hand. Finally, Kelvedon & Feering III's defeated Halstead by five wickets to snatch fourth place from them. Simon Gibbs took 3-12 as Halstead were dismissed for 50, of which Gavin Cook scored 35. Sam King then was Kelvedon & Feering's only casualty, for 22, as they cruised through to 51-1 with almost four overs in hand.

February 14th 2010

Rayne sink to Division Three

Rayne's fate was sealed when they conceded their match which they should have played Dunmow, that alone doomed them to being unable to overtake them in the league table and down to Division Three they will sink, and with announcement that their Reserve team will withdraw at the end of the season, only one team will now be relegated from Divisions Three and Four at the end of the season. At the top end of the table, Terling and Helions Bumpstead are still best placed to secure promotion to Division One, even though they differing results. Terling's winning sequence in the League came to an end against the leaders of Division Two, Bocking Reserves. It was a match which Terling looked like winning from the greater part of the match. Even without Tristan and Gavin Woolfenden, they found runs coming from John Marshall, 46 not out,and Graham Bird, 26. Bocking Reserves looked even more down and out after losing early wickets, and the decision of Danny McIntyre to bat at number five looked unwise. It proved to be a master-stroke though, as he was able to bat knowing he would be there throughout what was left of their innings, and he judged everything perfectly, even though he had lost all his team-mates by the time he took Bocking Reserves with 52 not out. Still the five points that Terling gained kept them in second place and with three games to go they are still twenty points ahead of Braintree College, they only other team that can upset the promotion chasing pair. Helions Bumpstead had little problems in defeating Coggeshall Reserves, who have now slipped into the relegation zone. 31 from Justin Rose, 30 not out from Paul Brazier, and 25 not out from Nathan Williamson took them to 118-3. Coggeshall Reserves were without the Bragg brothers, and had to call on many of their third team, but they had no answer. Ryan Cook taking 3-13, and Justin Rose, 2-18 as they were dismissed in less than eight overs for 43. Braintree College could only hope to match Helions Bumpstead's points haul and this they did as they defeated a much weakened Boreham team by 72 runs. Dan Garner hitting 50 and Trevor Spalding, 22. Ken Greenaway took three catches for Boreham, but even that was surpassed as James Garner then claimed four catches as Boreham were dismissed for 77, Dan Garner taking 3-18, and Yunus 2-21. Trevor Money scored 42 for Boreham.

In Division Three, there is now one hell of a scrap going on behind the leaders, Sampfords, with five points dividing four clubs, and sixteen dividing five clubs, so just about anything is still possible. Though it would take a miracle now for Coggeshall A to avoid relegation. This came about because they lost by four wickets to Sampfords, whilst Witham Reserves, with a team which included Jake Wakelin and Michael Headley, defeated Little Bardfield Village by three wickets. So they are now 30 points clear of Coggeshall A with only three matches to play. Great Totham held on to second place despite being left pointless following a 70 run defeat to Three Fields, a result which brings them back into the mix. Kelvedon & Feering Reserves failed to move into second place after tieing their contest with Rayne Reserves. John Blackwell hit 44 as Coggeshall A scored 105 against Sampfords, with Steve Thrower taking 3-18. Sampfords lost Colin Caister early but Greg Banks and Ryan Webster both hit 25 not out as Sampfords moved through to 106-2 with two overs to spare, and two wins from their last three matches will almost assure them of promotion. Great Totham's eight match winning sequence was ended in their 200th match. Michael Smith, 41, Tim Rayner, 28, Pat Kerry, 29, and Josh Taylor, 26, were all not out as Three Fields ended on 149-2 in the match which sparked so much off-field debate. Maybe their eyes had been taken off the task in hand, and Totham could only get to 79-5 in reply, with young Ross Walpole scoring 34 not out. Great Totham must have been thankful to learn of the failures of Kelvedon & Feering Reserves and Little Bardfield Village to win. Little Bardfield Village and Witham Reserves both had many changes to their team, and it certainly benefited Witham Reserves as they won by three wickets. Sam Bass and Eddie Hitchcock both hit 27 not out as Little Bardfield Village closed on 119-1. Witham Reserves lost Michael Headley early on, but young Khan, on his debut with 32 not out, plus a rapid 25 not out from Jake Wakelin, in his first game of the season, helped them reach 120-3 with an over in hand. Kelvedon & Feering Reserves will be kicking themselves for not defeating Rayne Reserves. Only Phil Wade, 43 not out, and Peter Dawson, 28 not out, kept Rayne Reserves afloat to close on 106-3. Kelvedon & Feering Reserves then made a mess of their reply, and slipped to 79-5, leaving James Bonvini on his own for almost three overs, but he got the scores level with three balls remaining, only then to be bowled by Anthony Rose for 45. So they remain one point behind Great Totham, with Three Fields now one point behind them, and Little Bardfield Village a further three points back, and that win for Witham Reserves keeps them in the hunt too.

We have new leaders in Division Five after West Bergholt were surprisingly defeated by 44 runs by Little Bardfield Village Reserves, who are now just five points behind them. Woodham Mortimer Reserves went three points clear at the top after thrashing Halstead by 74 runs. Kelvedon & Feering III's celebrated their 200th match by recording a team record sixth consecutive league win as they brushed aside Boreham Reserves by 38 runs. Finally, still no joy for Coggeshall A Reserves at the bottom, as they allowed Coggeshall III's to record their first league win at Notley this season, a 54 run defeat being inflicted. West Bergholt, having won eight in a row, have now lost two of their last three league matches. For Little Bardfield Village Reserves it was a massive win to keep them in the promotion and even the championship race. Josh Newman top scored with 29 not out as they closed on 105-5. West Bergholt had been unbeaten at Notley this season, but having reached 52 without loss the runs dried up as Sam Bass took 2-12 to keep them down to 71-3. Woodham Mortimer Reserves moved three points ahead at the top after crushing a five man Halstead team by 74 runs. Dave Goodchild top scoring with 44 not out as they closed on 110-4. Halstead did not survive eight overs before they were dismissed for just 36. Two wickets for Steve Collis as they avenged a six wicket loss to Halstead earlier in the season. Kelvedon & Feering III's celebrated their 200th match with a team record sixth consecutive league victory, a 38 run win over Boreham Reserves, a result that keeps them in the promotion race too. Sam King, 48 not out, and Will Bellamy's 28 took them to 119-5. Rob Hepworth then hit 35 not out for Boreham Reserves, but 81-4 was as far as they could get in their pursuit. Finally, the Coggeshall "derby" went in favour of Coggeshall III as they defeated Coggeshall A Reserves by 54 runs. Steve Plampin and Greg Farley both retiring for Coggeshall III's, whilst Ryan Parker was the only member of Coggeshall A Reserves to exceed twenty, with 26.