HERE are reports for matches played by Harlow CC.

1st XI

Hurley Heroics and Stewart Spell Help Harlow Secure First League Win

After a tough opening weekend, Harlow CC finally got their first league win of the season, and they did it in style, beating Newham by 9 wickets at Flanders Field thanks to a brilliant spell of bowling from Rhys Stewart, an imposing knock from Matt Hurley, and a great team performance all round.

Before the cricket began, there was wonderful news off the field as Chris Whitworth missed the game for the best possible reason: he and his partner Sophie welcomed a baby boy. Huge congratulations from everyone at the club!

Harlow lost the toss (again), but got what they wanted which was a chance to bowl first. The start couldn’t have been more eventful the first ball of the match saw Newham’s opener sky a dreadful shot straight to Umar Raza at cover… but the chance went down. Unfortunately, that set the tone for the fielding display, as Harlow dropped at least five chances across the innings.

Despite the frustration, the bowlers stuck to their task. Joe Riddell and David Waters each took a wicket early on, but Newham came out swinging and raced along at seven an over. Joe Riddell got launched for a huge six straight back down the ground. But when the match ball was changed, Harlow’s fortunes shifted.

Enter Rhys Stewart, who bowled an absolutely magnificent spell. He was tight, controlled, and eventually removed the dangerous Khawar Khurshid with a peach. His final figures 10 overs, 4 maidens, 15 runs, 3 wickets speak for themselves.

Umar Raza was also excellent, bowling with accuracy and calm under pressure to claim 2-21 from 9.1 overs. George Jessey joined the fun too, grabbing 2 wickets in another quality display of spin bowling.

From a flying start, Newham were bundled out for 130 in 35.1 overs which was an impressive turnaround by the Harlow bowlers and a real team effort despite the dropped catches.

In reply, Harlow made short work of the chase. Syed Hassan played his first match of the season, and looked composed alongside in-form man Matt Hurley, who picked up right where he left off last week.

Hurley played the dominant hand from ball one, dispatching the bowling all around the ground. With the required rate never a factor, he was able to bat with freedom and authority hitting boundaries with regularity and controlling the chase from the outset.

He was eyeing up a maiden 1st XI hundred when, needing just 6 runs to win and 6 to reach his century, he went for glory, only to pick out cow corner and fall agonisingly short on 94 but was a brilliant, match-winning innings.

Syed Hassan (22*) and David Waters (6*) saw Harlow home with over 29 overs to spare.

A fantastic day for the club, with positive performances across the board, standout bowling spells, Hurley’s heroics with the bat, and a long-awaited first league win.

Next up: Hornchurch Athletic at home next Saturday, where the club will also host the first VP Lunch of the year at Marigolds. It promises to be a big day on and off the field.

• Newham CC: 130 all out (Rhys Stewart 3-15, Umar Raza 2-21, George Jessey 2-9)

• Harlow CC: 132-1 (Matt Hurley 94, Syed Hassan 22*)

2nd XI

Harlow won the toss and chose to bat first. We had a shaky start, losing three quick wickets with just 15 runs on the board. However, a fantastic rebuilding partnership between Dip and Zabis turned the tide, adding a crucial 150 runs. Their resilience laid the foundation for our innings.

Towards the end, Jake Messenger provided a quickfire cameo that gave us the momentum we needed, pushing our total to a competitive 209.

With the ball, Jack Fuller and Sunny opened the bowling with great intensity, setting the tone early. Harris bowled a tight spell in the middle overs, showing real control and discipline, and was unlucky not to claim a wicket. At the other end, Jake Messenger delivered a match-winning spell, picking up 4 key wickets.

The whole team gave 100%, with Sunny standing out once again — this time in the field — with two crucial run-outs that turned the pressure back onto the opposition.

The game went down to the wire, with the opposition needing 9 runs in the final over. I put my trust in Paddy, and he delivered brilliantly under pressure, bowling a composed over that sealed the win for us.

A true team performance that sees us go top of the table.

3rd XI

Harlow won the toss and elected to bat first. We got off to a great start with a great opening partnership with Arshad scoring a well earned 50. Every one continued to contribute with the bat even when we lost some wickets. Naseer scored 44 to put us into a strong position and with Harlow batting all of the overs we scored a very competitive score of 240.

Arshad 55, Naseer 44, Atif 33, Simon 20

Our bowling innings got off to a very good start with Atif getting a direct hit and running out one of their opening batters. Our opening bowlers did a very good job to keep the run rate down and every bowler also continued the hard work by keeping it tight and bowling to a plan. We then picked up important wickets during the middle to put us into a strong position with the run rate increasing every over. We bowled Shenfield out for 200 meaning we won by 40 runs and getting a very important win.

T Dobson 4/36, J Afaq 2/26, F Javed 2/42, A Moiz 0/35, I Shoukat 0/55

4th XI

Harlow 4th Xl v Loughton 3rd Xl

Harlow win by 110runs

Harlow won the toss and decided to bat first. Harlow reached 292/7 from their 45 overs.

Jon Allen 114 no

Harrison Wren 74

Loughton all out for 182

Emilia Allen 3/30

Sam Robertson 2/41

Freno Fahad 2/20

A great all round performance for Harlow with special mentions for Harrison Wren for his excellent batting and Emilia for a game changing over in which she took 3wickets.

Next week home to Horndon on the Hill.

5th XI

After winning the toss on a sunny afternoon Harlow decided to bowl first.

Sawbridgeworth started well despite the opening bowlers picking up a wicket each, they reached 135-3 at just over half way.

When a change of bowling got a breakthrough, and the wickets started to fall, the runs dried up. A truly mesmerising spell of bowling from skipper Adam Dack ensured the visitors couldn’t pile on the runs late on.

They were bowled out for 200 off 28.1 overs. A great fight back after a blistering start from the opposition.

A Dack 6-28

A Kumar 2-28

In reply Harlow lost a few quick wickets, with the bowling being tight and hard to get away. After being 79-5, M.shaikh and A Dack put on a stand of 63 for the 6th wicket.

M Shaikh fell for 44 and with a unbeaten 55 from A Dack, we sadly fell just short by 25 runs. Spirits couldn’t be higher in the 5th XI camp after a closely fought game. With each game that passes, confidence and experience grows for each and every player.

A Dack 55 . Not out

M Shaikh 44