MARIGOLDS played host to a terrific contest as Harlow 1st XI met Bentley in a Hamro Foundation Essex Senior League top of the table clash.

With skipper Jake Messenger unavailable, Ben Yeats captained the side for the first time in a league fixture, although he was to follow the pattern of losing the toss. As a consequence Harlow were inserted to bat first.

Yeats and fellow opener Syed Hassan began with caution but found their rhythm to add 103 in 20 overs for the first wicket before the latter fell to a simple catch for 42, his best return of the season to date. After Max Baulcomb was dismissed for 24 Harlow were 165-3 with Yeats approaching another century. Nevertheless the innings needed impetus and no doubt with that in mind Gul Hassan was sent in at 5 to utilise his array of attacking shots.

The plan worked superbly. Yeats was content to rotate the strike taking singles whilst Gul smashed the ball to the boundary on a regular basis as the pair added over 80 in 10 overs. Yeats reached his second century of the season before falling on the boundary for a superb 111. Hassan continued to accelerate the run rate before he too departed for an outstanding 78 from just 52 balls. Further selfless hitting from the remainder of the batting line up took Harlow to an imposing 295-7 in 50 overs.

There’s nothing more satisfying than when a tactical plan comes together – that is until it unravels with a dropped catch. Pre-match research had identified that the visitors talented opening bat, Henry Burns, often played in the air through 4th slip to gully. The trap was set. Abi Farooq delivered the perfect ball just short of length and Burns obliged only for gully to shell a sharp chance. He was on nought at that point but went on to make a threatening half century before being bowled by the impressive Sarfaraz Ahmed for 53. 

Phil Coleman, however, looked to have both the temperament and ability to guide Bentley home as he played some outstanding shots taking his side to 220-3 and approaching his own century landmark. With eight an over required the game was very much in the balance, possibly Bentley favourites at that stage, until Paddy Matthews altered the course of the entire match within two overs. The 19 year old, making his first First XI appearance of the season, had the ultra dangerous Coleman caught on the boundary by Gul Hassan for 87 and then proceeded to knock the stuffing out the Bentley challenge taking 3 wickets in his next over for an outstanding return of 4-29.

Chris Whitworth mopped up the last two wickets to leave a winning margin of 62 runs. It felt an awful lot closer in truth.

Matthews 4-29 (6), Sarfaraz 2-32 (8), Whitworth 2-49 (9), Yeats 1-45 (9), Farooq 0-32 (7) and Riddell (J) 0-43 (6)

As good a win as this was one has to remark on the fielding and in particular the catching. Too many chances were spurned again and sooner or later it will be very costly. In an incredibly competitive division these things will make all the difference. Nevertheless, spirit, will to win and some superb performances will ensure a good weekend for Harlow’s premier side.

The Second XI travelled to face Oakfield Parkonians and achieved a win in a tight game. Batting first Harlow made an very useful 276-6 with Jack Sykes (66*), Atif Mustehsen (67), Asad Baig (38) and John Perry (25) all major contributors. Parks closed on 257-9 with a good all round effort from Harlow’s side with several run outs and an very handy spell of 1-26 in 9 overs from youngster Ben Seary. Mark Quant and Tommy Brewster both grabbed a wicket apiece but for the second week running it was the flighted turn of Jack Sykes that turned the game as he snared four wickets to go with his runs (despite having batted with a runner!).

Sykes 4-39 (9), Seary (B) 1-26 (9), Quant 1-42 (8), Brewster 1-43 (6), Farooq 0-18 (6), Petchey 0-41 (5) and Munim 0-25 (4)

The Third XI recovered from disappointing defeat last week by comfortably beating Frenford 3rd XI on Spicers. Batting first Harlow made 247 all out with Jake Hikmatshah striking a rapid 69 and Arshad Muhammed getting the innings off to a great start with 62. Sunni Ali chipped in with a handy 36. 

Any chance of a close contest disappeared with a stunning opening burst from Sunny Ali (3-10) and Farhad Hikmatshah (3-24) . Jake and Aju took a wicket each before Syed (Ahsen) Ali put the icing on the cake taking two wickets with his first two deliveries. 

Sunni Ali 3-10 (7), Farhad 3-24 (5), Aju 1-22 (6), Jake 1-33 (7) and Syed Ali 2-0 (0.2)

The only defeat on the day came for the 4th XI at Brentwood. 

Brentwood made a strong start despite Dave Whellams frugal spell of 0-20 (9). Matt Fisk returned outstanding figures of 3-12 in 6 overs as we dragged the scoring back in the later stages of the innings. Evie Matthews made it an excellent evening in the Matthews household by taking a brace herself to go with her brothers exploits. 

Fisk 3-12 (6), Evie 2-39 (7), Libby 1-41 (4), McCarthy 1-57 (7)

Harlow made a fine effort of reaching the total but just fell short despite an excellent 99 from Sukrit (Surath) Bastola agonisingly missing out on his century when bowled 1 run short. Matt Fisk capped a fine individual performance by making a career high 84 as we lost by a mere 7 runs in a great contest.

Another real good week for the club with a host of fine performances with bat and ball. The First XI are genuine promotion challengers and the other sides are all well placed with the Third XI themselves in with a real chance of vying for the title in their very tough Third XI Premier Division. 

Pictured (left to Right) are First XI match winners Gul Hassan, Paddy Matthews and Ben Yeats