Muzza’s excellent 68 anchored the innings as we reached 118-1 at the halfway stage, well set for a big total. However, a sudden collapse to 121-4—triggered by Griffiths’ three wickets in nine balls—halted momentum. Adeel and Les rebuilt superbly with a century partnership, both reaching well-earned half centuries, before Harry’s late-order fireworks lifted us to a competitive 259-8 from our 50 overs.

In reply, Brentwood made a strong start, with Aaron West and Eddie Ballard putting on 103 for the first wicket. George Hankins struck twice to remove both, but further resistance came as Will Buttleman and Jack Hebron added another century stand, seemingly putting the visitors in control.

The game turned dramatically when Adeel dismissed Buttleman for 63, sparking a collapse of 6 wickets for 20 runs, including 5 in just 13 balls. Despite this, Carson and Phillips took the game to the final over, with 14 required. The match went down to the last ball, where a scrambled single from Phillips sealed a narrow defeat. A fantastic contest, but a tough one to lose.

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The 2nd XI produced an outstanding all-round performance to secure victory away at Orsett & Thurrock.

After electing to bat, we slipped to 30-2 before Kieran’s blistering 36-ball 50 and a half century from the returning Tommy Barnacle—both featuring three sixes—helped us post a competitive 170.

The bowlers then took control. Freddie B (6-44) and Joe Ross (3-23) were outstanding, reducing the hosts to 35-4 and then 69-9. A brief late flourish from Wren delayed the inevitable, but Orsett were eventually bowled out for 87, giving us a convincing 83-run win and 20 valuable points.

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The 3rd XI were well beaten by six wickets away at Chelmsford.

After winning the toss, we struggled early and slipped to 59-7. Joe D once again led from the front, producing a superb innings to guide us to 131, registering his second consecutive half century. However, Bond’s exceptional 7-39 proved decisive.

Despite reducing Chelmsford to 21-2, a 71-run partnership between Wilson and Lawrence took the game away, as the hosts comfortably chased the target with 24 overs remaining.

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The 4th XI made it two wins from two with an excellent 15-run victory at Orsett.

After losing skipper Ben early, Connor Bowles (40) and Ravi (76) built a strong platform, helping us to 190. Orsett appeared well placed at 164-4 in reply, but a dramatic collapse saw four wickets fall in five balls.

Rikhil claimed a key wicket at the end of the 38th over, before Tommy took three in four balls in the 39th, leaving the hosts needing 22 from the final over. Rikhil held his nerve to concede just 7, sealing a superb win.

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A youthful 5th XI were beaten by 104 runs at Woodford Wells, with the hosts’ experience proving decisive.

After winning the toss, Aaryan struck twice early, but Wells capitalised on short boundaries to post 254-8. Coulbeck led the scoring with a century, while Matthew Benton impressed with 2-43, including his first league wicket for the club.

In response, we struggled early, losing key senior players cheaply. The young middle order showed promise but couldn’t convert starts, slipping to 118-9. A defiant final-wicket stand between R Burd and Ollie Farquhar added some respectability, with Ollie top-scoring with 21, including his first six. Despite the loss, it was another valuable experience for a side featuring eight youth players.

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