Chingford nerves hold despite late collapse

Chingford 160-9d Orsett 103

Chingford won by 57 runs

(Division One)

CHINGFORD took a while to find their feet but still got off to a winning start in their first Shepherd Neame Essex Cricket League match of the season.

Batting first, Chingford were struggling when precise bowling by Polyblank and Humphrey reduced them to 41 for four after 23 overs.

James Runciman and Tariq Mahmood hit 23 and 34 to effect a spirited recovery but once they had departed Chingford collapsed once again to a precarious 109 for eight.

Again they recovered thanks to Kerry Marriott, whose unbeaten 32 enabled declaration on 160 for nine, which in the conditions was always going to be a difficult target.

Orsett's reply almost mirrored the Chingford innings and they quickly found themselves on 39 for four before Mark Downey showed some stubborn resistance in the crease to give his side a chance.

James Runciman ended that threat and Jon Dyers was also in lethal form. His aggressive fast bowling flattened the Orsett tail end and gave him a five-wicket haul for just 26 runs.

The visitors were dismissed for 107 with just two deliveries remaining, giving Chingford 18 points towards their promotion bid.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.