ALEX Manning scored his maiden Harlow Town century as Harlow Town 3rd XI drew with high flying Essendon. Remarkably after 80 overs and 608 runs the points were shared with both teams finishing on 304.

Town skipper James Williamson continued his form of losing the toss and perhaps surprisingly was asked to bat first. The opening pair of Luke Luckin (22) and Jason Gladwin (20) got the team off to a steady start, however it was the 3rd wicket partnership of Neil Gladwin and Alex Manning that saw Town set a ferocious score, their partnership was 134 before Neil, playing through excruciating pain, fell for 83.

Undeterred Alex continued to bat sensibly and it was not long before he was rewarded with his maiden ton, eventually finishing on 134 not out, his new partner Jake Flowers made a steady 26 as Town finished on 304-3 from their 40 overs.

Even though Town had amassed a big score Willamson knew that anything was possible with a fast outfield and Essendon having a strong batting line up. Indeed the strength of the home batters was too much for Harlow to overcome, Dave Thomas taking a catch off the bowling of Luckin was the only bright spot in the early stages of a committed fielding performance. Wickets fell intermittently from Daniel Gleeson, John Rogan and Williamson, however the Essendon batsmen were scoring well. The game was eventually settled in the last over with Essendon needing 12 to win. They scored 11 off the over to earn an unlikely draw. This weekend Town travel to Bishops Stortford 3rd XI who are promotion rivals.

The 2nd XI continued their fine form with a late victory at Goresbrook CC. Skipper Aaron Simpson lost the toss and was asked to bowl first. Goresbrook scored steadily with each batter seemingly getting in but fine bowling and fielding from Town stopped any momentum that the hosts could build up skittling them for 231 from 45 overs. Sam Wilson led the bowling figures for Town with 4-39 from 13 overs, the other bowling figures were Tom Wilcox (0-51 from 16), Dan Pullen (2-61 from 8), Ani Sourabh (0-33 from 3) and Simon Rowell (3-37 from 5). In reply Town lost Simpson (26), Tony Curtis (0) and Sreerag Radhakrishnan (10) fairly early in the innings. Not for the first time this season Ben Tyne and Tom Wilcox steadied the ship, totally in control with the scoring adding 149 for the 4th wicket, with Wilcox eventually falling for 53. Tyne continued his fine scoring form and indeed got his 100 with the winning runs of the game. Taylor Wood also pitched in with a lightning 16 not out. Town are making serious moves in the division and this week host Southend on Sea at Ash Tree Field as they continue to push for promotion.

The 1st XI suffered a bruising defeat at the hands of high flying Old Brentwoods. Skipper Ronnie Yates won the toss and chose to bat on a super batting strip. Unfortunately the teams batting struggles came to the fore again with nobody taking advantage of the conditions, some of the bowling from the visitors was of the highest order however Town still threw away at least 7 wickets finishing on a disappointing 101 all out.

In reply and with such a low total Old Brents came out swinging, which did yield 2 wickets for Yates and 1 for Sibet Hussain, however the depth of the visitors allowed them to see home a comfortable victory.

The First XI are now deep in trouble and at the foot of the table, this week they travel to Old Parkonians for what is fast becoming a must win game for the team.