HARLOW Town’s hopes of promotion from Division 3 of the Hamro Foundation Essex league took a severe blow after defeat at league leaders Goresbrook. After winning the toss skipper Ronnie Yates chose to bat first.

Things started poorly for Harlow as they lost Shaun Alderson for 1, and Ramya Upadhyay for a golden duck, although Ramya can consider himself unlucky as he was caught off of a deflection off a fielder. At this point Town looked like they were staring down the barrel of another calamitous batting display however Daniel Baldwin and Shiraz Ali settled the side down with a calm and well worked 57 run partnership. Ali fell for 22 when he slapped a shot to the fielder at mid-on, the first of 3 consecutive players to get out the same way.

Scott Alderson was next 4 balls later, leaving Town at 68-4. The key wicket of Baldwin fell next, also to the same bowling/fielding combination. He ended up with 48 which was Town’s top score on the day. Unfortunately the wicket of Baldwin at 86-5 soon led to Town being 86-8 with Ausman Ginai (10), Ronnie Yates (0) and Jay Lowles (0) all falling very cheaply. Tom Wilcox (13) and Sam Wilson (9) bought Town to 108 with Dan Pullen 0 not out.

In reply Goresbrook were never really in trouble, and like Barking a couple of weeks ago the batters were able to bat freely without fear as they chased a relatively small total with 10 wickets in hand. Sam Wilson, Dan Pullen, Ausman Ginai and Daniel Baldwin all picked up a wicket, but Goresbrook finished on 109-4.

Town are due to face Division 1 high-flyers Epping in a T20 match on Wednesday evening, however this is depending on the extremely unpredictable weather. Their next league match is away to Woodford Green in what is really a must-win game for both teams. If Town can get their batting sorted out then they will surely be favourites and push forward towards promotion.

The 2^nd XI drew at home to Ardleigh Green in a 95 over thriller highlighted by Simon Rowell taking a 5fer. Town won the toss and opted to field first. After a couple of early wickets the visitors put on a large partnership eventually broken by Simon Rowell. Luke Luckin took the other wicket for Town, as Ardleigh Green set 218/6 from 49 overs. In reply Arron Applegate scored 25, and there were half-centuries for Taylor Wood who followed up his century from the week before with 55, and Connor Teale who scored 52. Ultimately neither team could force a result with Town ending up with 201 from 46 overs.

The 3^rd XI picked up victory against Woodford Wells. Scores of 18 from James Williamson, 17 from Rehan Kateria and 20 from Adam Stott saw Town score 138. In return they bowled out the opposition for 124 with wickets spread around the team. Stott, Rich Lavelle and Tony Curtis all picked up one wicket while Kateria, James Shearman and Calvin Quadir picked up a brace of wickets each.