ARDLEIGH GREEN I..................231-8 dec

CHELMSFORD I..................................235-1

(Chelmsford won by nine wickets)

(Shepherd Neame Essex League Division One)

Chelmsford extended their lead at the top of the League on Saturday with a crushing victory over Ardleigh Green.

At the start of the match, the omens for Chelmsford were not good, as both first choice opening bowlers were missing, and they then lost the services of Eddie Lawrence in a freak warm-up accident.

This left the remaining bowlers under pressure which was exploited to the full by Roy Smith with an excellent innings of 126 in an impressive Ardleigh Green total of 231 for eight in 52 overs.

Tim Jones (2-42) and Keith Goodman (1-48) stuck manfully to the task for Chelmsford, but two missed chances and the short straight boundaries enabled Smith to settle to devastating effect.

He was eventually dismissed in the penultimate over by the belatedly introduced David Thrift (1-14) who despite a lack of recent bowling opportunities, extracted as much movement from the wicket as anyone on the day.

Bob Semple (3-76) also came back well for a second spell to claim three wickets.

Facing an imposing target on a poor looking wicket, Chelmsford commenced positively and never allowed the opposition bowlers to settle into a rhythm.

Despite the early loss of Chris Cakebread (12), Ian Brailey and Tim Jones began to dominate a moderate looking bowling attack as they built a superb controlled partnership.

Without ever seeming to play a false stroke, they pushed the scoring rate along comfortably at around a run a ball and brought the innings to the point where Chelmsford required only five runs an over off the last 20 overs.

As it turned out the full 20 overs never looked like being required as Brailey and Jones took Chelmsford invincibly to victory with an unbroken stand of 211.

Tim Jones made his maiden league hundred and finished on 111 not out, while Ian Brailey was unluckily left on 97 not out, just three runs short of a deserved century.

This excellent performance leaves Chelmsford 17 points clear of their nearest rivals, Chingford, whom they meet on Saturday when Chelmsford will be looking to extend this margin.

Tim Jones, who scored an unbeaten 111 in Chelmsford's win over Ardleigh Green on Saturday.

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