HARLOW Town’s 1st XI produced an accomplished all-round display to sweep aside Matching Green by 87 runs and book their place in the next round of the Herts & Essex Border League Cup at Ash Tree Field.

Having elected to bat, Town recovered impressively from the early loss of Thomas Garner to build a commanding total of 173-7 from their 20 overs. Daniel Baldwin once again provided the backbone of the innings with a fluent 45 from 36 balls, striking seven fours and a six in a controlled display of aggressive cricket.

Baldwin shared useful stands throughout the innings before the middle order accelerated smartly. Darryl Pettengell changed the momentum with a lively 33 from 21 deliveries, including two cleanly-struck sixes, while skipper Ashley Leat maintained the pressure with an enterprising 26. Patrick Yates added further impetus before Taylor Wood’s unbeaten 18 from just seven balls ensured Town closed strongly.

Matching Green briefly threatened through Abdullah Farooq, who struck a brisk 34 at the top of the order, but Harlow Town’s attack remained disciplined throughout. Sam Wilson set the tone with an excellent opening spell that removed both Rizwan Akram and Olly Hartnell, while Taylor Wood claimed two key wickets in the middle overs.

The decisive contribution came from man of the match Baldwin, whose accurate bowling tore through the lower order. His figures of 4-8 from three overs extinguished any hopes of a recovery as Matching Green were dismissed for 86 in the 16th over.

It completed an emphatic evening for the Townies, whose blend of aggressive batting, committed fielding and controlled bowling continues to mark them out as serious contenders across all competitions this season.