LOUGHTON 138 – 5 in 35.4 overs
HARLOW TOWN 137 all out 31.1 overs

A totally inadequate batting performance saw Harlow Town drop to bottom place in the Essex League Second Division at Loughton on Saturday, winning the toss and electing to bat. Town, with all their top batsmen available could only post 137 runs, far short of a par score for the conditions. Only Jibran Azam finding some form at last with 56, Neil Gladwin, 23 and debutante Aaron Simpson, 12, reaching double figures.

With half the season now completed, Town need to find some consistent batting to avoid relegation. The team spirit is still high, as shown in the field as this team never give in without a fight. It took 5 Loughton wickets to reach the 138 needed. Dan Farmer, 2-34, Sam Wilson 1-33 and Jay Lowles late introduction, picking up a wicket with his very first ball and another in his second over, finishing with 2-7 off 2 overs, before Loughton took a single off the next over to win by 5 wickets. Town must reflect that if a decent total had been set the outcome may well have been different.

Next week Old Southendians & Southchurch are the visitors to Ashtree Field and as they are only two places above Town, it will be another relegation battle.



Harlow Town II 211 all out 38.4 overs
Epping II 214-3 all out 27.3 overs

Town hosted Epping and got off to a great start with the bat thanks to Ben Tyne (30) & Shaun Alderson (44) however both fell shortly after each other and the top order collapse put Town in a tough situation. Jack Davies batted well for his 44 and a flurry from the lower order got Town to 211 all out.

In reply Epping openers Rahman (80) and Bawa (688) took control of the game. Both took advantage of any loose deliveries and reached their half centuries. Jack Davies picked up 3 wickets towards the end however Epping saw the game home comfortably to win by 7 wickets.

Westcliff-on-Sea III 204 all out 42 overs
Harlow Town III 268-4 45 overs

The 3rd XI made a trip to the seaside and batted first. Matthews fell early for 4, Curtis & Dewey both reached their twenties and fell. Youngsters Connor Teale & Alex Manning found themselves at the crease and looked to rebuild the innings. Manning the aggressor, reached his 50 first and his third of the season eventually falling for 70. Brian Lall joined Teale and had a late flurry of 38 not out as Teale reached his first league 50, finishing on 75 not out.
Town bowled tight early on, restricting the hosts. Skipper Vic Goddard recorded figures of 6 overs, 1 wicket for 1 run. Another youngster in Vuthlarhi Rikhotso bowled superbly removing opener Johnson and the middle order taking 4 wickets as the hosts were all out for 204.

Harlow Town IV 314-6 40 overs
Tye Green 114 all out 17.2 overs

Winning the toss and batting first, Town’s openers Stuart Wiggins and Matthew Parsons started positively, both reaching their 50’s quickly. Wiggins falling for 72, followed by Jergic for 15, Parsons was joined by Paul Smith (60) and dispatched the ball to the boundary on a regular occurrence. Parsons reached his well-deserved century, finishing on 110 as Town set 314 form their quota.

A distant target was set even further as Jason Abbot picked up the wickets of the top 3. Eventually finished off by Rogan as Town won by 200 runs.