HARLOW CC First XI slipped to a second consecutive league defeat at Marigolds on Saturday as Newham emerged victorious.

As with the loss at Belhus, Harlow had the opportunity to take the spoils holding a significant advantage late into the fixture but a dominant 126 run sixth wicket partnership turned the game on its head.

Earlier Harlow were asked to bat first, having lost the toss, on a drying wicket that had plenty of encouragement for the seam bowlers. Having slumped to 23-3 Harlow recovered with Ben Yeats and Gull Hassan adding 75 before the Harlow skipper fell to a stunning catch at mid wicket by Mirza.

Gull was joined at the crease by 17 year old Alfie Jessey and the pair batted superbly. Hassan looking to score through boundary hitting whilst Jessey cleverly nudged and placed his shots into gaps constantly keeping the score board moving. 

Their 112 run partnership ended with Alfie Jessey being bowled by Newham skipper Khurshid for 40 but by that stage Harlow were beyond the 200 mark and eyeing a sizeable target. 

Hassan classily hammered the bowling and carried his bat to the conclusion of the innings ending on a superb 139 not out as Harlow posted 266-8.

In reply Newham made a rapid start until Joe Riddell removed both openers. The game appeared to swing dramatically towards Harlow when three wickets fell in the space of 2 overs. Mohammed Umar Raza finding swung to claim two wickets in an over backed up by George Jessey adding Harlow’s fifth victim as Newham teetered on 89-5.

With Harlow completely in the ascendancy a short shower halted play and Newham regrouped. Khurshid and Munawar batted superbly leaving Harlow to rue a missed catch when the Newham skipper had made just 9 along with a huge shout for caught behind that went unanswered. 

Newham recovered to get themselves ahead of the DLS par score on 229-6 when with 10 overs left the heavens opened and brought the game to a premature ending.