AFTER a disappointing first loss of the season, the First XI welcomed a familiar visitor in Leigh On Sea to Ash Tree Field with a point to prove in the first timed game of the season. On a sweltering day, captain Ronnie Yates won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bowl.

At 126-5 there could have been some doubts about whether this was the right call, but the batting unit came together to back up the skipper’s call. Contributions included 42 from Ramya Upadhyay, 39 from Scott Alderson, 45 from Shaun Alderson and a bludgeoning 59* from Ausman Ginai (at number 8 no less) powering Town to a fantastic 270/9 off the 50 overs.

After a delightful tea, it then came down to the bowling unit. Could they turn up this week and plunder the 25 points? The answer was to be found quickly. Leigh on Sea, perhaps feeling the effects of spending 3 and a half hours in the heat, semi-capitulated. In a frankly ridiculous period of play, Town’s opening bowlers had their opponents 17/6 and then 34/7, although the heavy lifting was done primarily by the skipper, who led the way in a spell of 12 overs, 6 wickets and just 22 runs – not to mention being twice on a hattrick. In the carnage, there was a team hattrick when Wilson got in on the act, but apart from that he and the rest of the bowlers had to play second fiddle to Yates as he was simply unplayable.

As was to be expected, eventually Leigh were able to put together a partnership when 8 and 9 came together to put on 83, dragging Leigh past 100 to 117/8, but that was as good as it got. Yates continued to exert his golden touch over his men by throwing the ball to a slightly unlikely source of wickets in Scott Alderson. This was a genius move as he immediately broken open the stubborn partnership, and from that point the door was open and Town charged through, bowling their opponents out for 121. A redeeming 25 points after the previous week’s disappointment and a signal that a bump in the road can quickly be overcome. Next up in Newham away, where Town will be looking to pick up where they left off.

Elsewhere both 2s and 3s we’re unable to bounce back this week both coming 2nd best to Southend on sea and Takeley respectively