Hart broken by George Blackwell

Team-mates they may be, good friends they may be, but I do not think I can put into words the thoughts of Matt Hart, who stood on the brink of breaking Dave Denny's sixteen year old run scoring record for League season, and an entire season, when he was run out without facing a ball, after George Blackwell had called him for a run. Just to compound a bad day for Matt, but on the final day of League action this season, Bocking Reserves' Darrell May hit 98 not out, to surpass Matt's record for the season by one run. The final result did not get much better either, as Kelvedon & Feering went on to defeat Matt's Coggeshall Hamlet by three wickets, a result which saw Kelvedon moved ahead of Coggeshall Hamlet in the final Division One table. George Blackwell's nightmare start to this match did not end with the run out of Matt Hart, as soon afterwards he did likewise to Andy Goding, and then promptly got bowled himself to leave the Hamlet on 11-3. Thankfully, for them, Robert Cross, 46, and James Neale, 31, were not in such a benevolent mood and they took Coggeshall Hamlet on to 121 before their last wicket fell, they did only have five players. Kelvedon & Feering did not make such a bad start, far from it in fact, and they got themselves well ahead of the rate, and won the game with almost two overs to spare, and by three wickets. Stuart Warner and Josh Parsons both scoring 27 not out, with Lee Scott adding 24.

Next Sunday Braintree Youth and Witham will meet once again in the BDICL Cup Final, and if they repeat this League match then we could be in for an exciting Final. Neither team was at full strength, as I imagine they will be on Sunday. Dave Hale, 26 not out, and Andrew Sherry, 29 not out, helped take the Youth to 116-2. It was to prove to be a winning score, just. In an exciting conclusion, Witham's reply ended just one run behind on 115-3, with Kaan Hawes top scoring with 26 not out. So Witham were, by the closes possible margin, unable to prevent Braintree Youth from completing their Championship winning season with their 100% record untarnished. Braintree finished in third place after defeating Bocking for the first time since January 2003. Dave Colne top scored with 53 for Bocking as they were dismissed for 116. Rory Ainsley taking 3-32, and Dean Bass, 2-15. Daryl Hymas then top scored for Braintree with 28 not out, as they reached 118-4 with one ball to spare. Finally, Coggeshall once again defeated Shalford, as Shalford bade farewell to Division One. Ben Stephens, 43 not out, Carl Bragg, 30 not out, Craig Lesiak, 27 not out, plus 26 from Chris Carter, and 20 from Jim Rees took Coggeshall to 152-2. Jim Rees then took 2-25 as Shalford closed on 126-5, Lee Parish scoring 39 not out, and Dan Grice, 38.

Terling promote Helions Bumpstead

Terling have gained promotion to Division One after a long absence, and then by defeating Braintree College by 41 runs, they also assured Helions Bumpstead of promotion from third place. Helions Bumpstead then went and lost to Dunmow by one wicket, knowing that they had already been promoted. The Champions, Bocking Reserves, who cannot be promoted, handed out a thrashing to Boreham, who have lost their way totally in the last few weeks. Darrell May's 98 not out helping them to a massive 102 run victory. Coggeshall Reserves moved above Boreham with a four wicket victory over Rayne.

Braintree College knew that nothing short of victory over Terling would give them any chance of attaining promotion to Division One for the first time in their history. It was a dream that Terling soon started to make look a remote possibility as Terling made a bright start. However, the Collegians did stem the flow of runs in the second half of Terling's innings and eventually kept them down to 129-4. Tristan Woolfenden top scoring with 36 not out. Though having been 70-2 after six overs, they probably hoped for a bigger total than that. So this gave Braintree College a chance, but run outs were to hinder their progress and ultimately four of them contributed to them being dismissed for just 88, of which Trevor Spalding hit 38. Therefore Helions Bumpstead were assured of third place, and the second promotion spot even before their match with Dunmow began. Strangely though it wa the team destined to relegation who defeated the promoted team by one wicket. Andy Rose hit 40 as Helions Bumpstead closed on 95-4, and then Majid Raja hit 42 before being run out just short of victory as Dunmow replied with 96-5.

The Champions, Bocking Reserves, who are unable to gain promotion, a path also previously denied to Gosfield Reserves and Coggeshall Reserves, slaughtered Boreham by 102 runs. Darrell May hitting 98 not out, after he had been left on his own for the closing overs. He struck ten sixes in taking Bocking Reserves to 171-5. Danny McIntyre added 32, and Rob May 23, as Bocking Reserves warmed up for the Reserve League Cup Final next Sunday. Boreham reached 69 in reply, as Tyler Peacock and Darrell May both claimed two wickets. Finally, even though it was actually the first match played on the day, Coggeshall Reserves defeated relegated Rayne by four wickets. Richard Whiteside hit 40 as Rayne were dismissed in nine overs for 71. Kenny Moulton-Day and Shaun Bragg finished the job off for Coggeshall Reserves in taking them to 72-2 in less than seven overs.

Great Totham move up

Sampfords will be joined in Division Two next season by Great Totham, who clinched the runners-up without having to bowl a ball. This is because Sampfords has already ended the challenge of Kelvedon & Feering Reserves with a four wicket victory over them. Great Totham then celebrated their rise in status for next season by defeating Witham Reserves by 70 runs. Little Bardfield Village beat Three Fields by 27 runs, and Rayne Reserves warmed up for next Sunday's Reserve League Cup Final by defeating Coggeshall A by four wickets.

Great Totham joined Sampfords on the ride up to Division Two, and it was Sampfords who actually cemented their promotion for them by preventing Kelvedon & Feering Reserves from gaining five points from their contest. James West hit 35 of Kelvedon & Feering Reserves' total of 94-5, so unless Sampfords were bowled out for 43 or less, then Great Totham would be promoted before playing themselves. There was an early alarm as Greg Banks departed for 0, but Steve Thrower, 27 not out, and Ryan Webster, 26 not out, ended any worries and helped take Sampfords through to victory with 97-2. Great Totham, with the pressure off, could then enjoy their match with Witham Reserves, and with Paul Marks scoring 49 not out, and Drew Whiting 39, they closed with 150-5. Not too much chance of Witham Reserves challenging that, and they did not. Instead they were bowled out for 80, 2-13 for Ollie Cheesman.

Rayne Reserves warmed up for the Reserve League Cup Final by defeating Coggeshall A by four wickets, and Little Bardfield Village defeated Three Fields by 27 runs. The effect of those two results, was that Little Bardfield Village fell just point off being able to snatch third place, and Rayne Reserves were able to move ahead of Three Fields by virtue of more victories.

Braintree Reserves promoted but Shalford Reserves run them close before slipping up

Braintree Reserves gained promotion to Division Three as they defeated Earls Colne by five wickets in the opening Division Four match at Notley. Had Braintree Reserves won by six wickets, then promotion would have been secured, but they had to wait until Shalford Reserves met Helions Bumpstead Reserves. Helions Bumpstead were dismissed for 61, and it looked as if Shalford Reserves would gain the fifteen points they needed to deny Braintree Reserves. One dropped catch and two missed run out chances had favoured Shalford Reserves until they finally did lose the vital wicket at 42. They went on to lose three more wickets before finally reaching 62-4. In the other games, Woodham Mortimer could only defeat Sampfords Reserves by 3 runs, and Margaretting saw off High Garrett by 22 runs.

Braintree Reserves made the best possible start to their match with Earls Colne as Henry Pilgrim was caught behind off the first ball of the match. Earls Colne did recover but then slumped from 73-2 to 81 all out, as Ruan Hold took 3-9 from two overs. The innings ending as it started with another catch behind the stumps. Braintree Reserves needed to reach 82 without losing a wicket to clinch promotion there and then, but with the score on 30 Glen Smith was caught. Earls Colne then proceeded to spill a few more chances before Steve Isaac hit the run that took Braintree Reserves to 82-1. Geoff Eveling top scored with 26 not out. Now Shalford Reserves could not afford to let one point slip. It was another two hours before this match began, and it began badly for Helions Bumpstead Reserves as Michael Claydon was caught behind off the third delivery. Helions Bumpstead Reserves did not bat very well at all, against an attack totally lacking in an pace at all, and really almost solely on bounce and spin. Barry Gilbey picking up 3-15 as they were dismissed for 61, with Graham Page top scoring with 24. Shalford Reserves began positively and they looked well on their way to attaining their goal as Lee Godding retired and as one chance was dropped. Then at the end of the sixth over, with the score on 42, Shalford Reserves dropped the point that promoted Braintree Reserves when Tom Page caught Barry Gilbey. Three more wickets soon fell before Shalford Reserves did reach 62, but with four wickets down by then.

Last season Sampfords Reserves, as Division Five Champions, and Woodham Mortimer, as runners-up gained promotion to Division Four. Now while Woodham Mortimer go up to Division Three as Champions, Sampfords Reserves return to Division Five, but for one hour parity between them was restored, before Woodham Mortimer eventually won by three runs. Trevor Mason hitting 56 of Woodham's total of 93-5. Brian Poulson then hit 30 not out, as Sampfords Reserves ended their response on 90-4. Margaretting moved up to fifth spot, actually having won more matches than Earls Colne in fourth place, as they defeated High Garrett by 22 runs. Oliver Glasson top scored for Mrs. Ting's boys with 37 not out, as they closed on 107-4. High Garret reached 85-5 in reply, with Chris Roper taking 3-25. So a good finish to the season for Margaretting, a third consecutive win for the first time in almost seven years.

Final League Tables>>

April 11th 2010

This will be updated as soon as possible after matches have been completed