HARLOW CC enjoyed another visit to Greater London as they claimed a dominant fourth consecutive league victory.

In keeping with previous performances this was entire team effort with some exemplary individual contributions.

Having won the toss Harlow asked hosts Walthamstow to bat first and were immediately into their work with a wicket for Muhammed Umar Raza. It looked as if the London side were recovering well when paceman, Joe Riddell, broke through with his first wicket of the afternoon.

It was Riddell who made a third critical breakthrough dismissing the dangerous Anthony for a rapid 41. Harlow were beginning to dominant but could ill afford the dropped catch that should have seen Stow top scorer Bayley returned to the pavilion for just 20.

Jake Messenger grabbed Harlow a fourth wicket but Bayley reached a well made half century as the Londoners moved into an increasing promising position at 140-4.

To Harlow’s credit, with the game in the balance, they pushed on grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck. A flighted Yeats delivery saw the end of Bayley for 54 with Riddell taking the catch whilst a fine Messenger boundary catch terminated the dangerous Tanveer’s aggressive innings for 31.

With Harlow in the ascendancy Walthamstow somewhat stumbled to the conclusion of their innings making 216-9 in their 50 overs – a fine Harlow effort on a good surface with a lightening outfield.

Riddell 4-44, Whitworth 2-48, Umar Raza 1-23, Messenger 1-29, Yeats 1-39 and G.Jessey 0-29

The Harlow innings was dominated by a superb opening stand of 197 between skipper Ben Yeats and Chris Whitworth. Yeats punished the bowling rattling the scoreboard along with Whitworth sensibly playing within himself as the Harlow run rate far exceeded that required.

With Yeats on 40 he benefited in a key moment when he edged to second slip only for the umpire to call the bowler for a front foot no ball. The last sniff of victory dissolved into the ether for the home side in that moment as Yeats majestically reached a remarkable third consecutive century.

Having crashed 125 Yeats departed with victory in the bag as Whitworth led the side to the winning target notching a very fine 75 not out as Harlow claimed an 8 wicket win.

Harlow remain in third place just outside the promotion places but they extended the gap to the rest of the division. Next Saturday they return to Marigolds for a hugely significant fixture at home to Leigh on Sea who currently sit in second place just above in form Harlow.

Pictured Joe Riddell 4-44 in a fine spell of seam bowling