It may not be quite the same as England's 38 years of World Cup hurt but for south-east Essex the Ashford Cup is the closest thing they have got.

England won the coveted world crown in 1966 and the Group Six bowlers took the county equivalent three years later.

Like England, that was the last time they won the trophy for the nine groups that make up the Essex competition.

But now Group Six - which covers Southend, Rochford, Castle Point and the eastern side of Basildon districts - are within touching distance of ending their 35-year quest to reclaim the Ashford Cup.

Group Six drew with Group Five (Ilford) and then beat Group Seven (Dagenham) in the preliminaries to qualify for the three-team final stage.

Then manager Alex Swan saw his bowlers defeat Group Three (Chelmsford) in the first of their final matches to take nine points to three.

Group Three face Group Two (north-west Essex) this weekend with the south-Essex bowlers taking on their counterparts from the Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow area on August 22.

"The match against Group Three was no push-over," said Group Six chairman Dennis Shrubshall of Benfleet BC.

"We were leading on five rinks but then we were suddenly losing 5-1. A big effort in the middle of the game saw us win with 4.5-1.5.

"With two points for a win and one for a draw that gave us a nine-three advantage which makes the result of Saturday's match important going into our final match against Group Two."

Published Friday August 6, 2004

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