Cricket: Daniels’ bowling was one of the few highlights

ORSETT I...................................................207-7

(Match drawn)

(Shepherd Neame Essex League)

After several weeks of disappointment due to poor weather conditions, Chelmsford finally completed a fixture although it ended in stalemate.

Having had no luck with the toss again, a strong Chelmsford batting side were asked to bat first on a slow pitch, despite the loss of two early wickets, Tim Jones was joined by the in-form Tom Iliffe and they plundered the Orsett attack for 122 in 21 overs.

The tempo was maintained, despite the dismissal of Jones, lbw for 63, with a quick 22 from Fergus.

Iliffe was finally out for 78, but some late hitting from Martin Daniels (17no) and Paul Jones (10no) allowed Chelmsford to declare on 234 for five after 42 overs.

Due to this early attacking declaration, Orsett knew they would receive a generous amount of overs.

Tim Jones made an early breakthrough by removing Shaw in the ninth over but the next 23 overs saw Turner and Catz tediously compile 77 runs.

However, the introduction of Daniels for his first bowl in five years got Chelmsford the breakthrough and Daniels rolled back the years to take two for 32 in seven overs.

Despite Chelmsford's attempts to encourage strokeplay, which even saw the introduction of Fergus, the Orsett batsmen were reluctant to take the initiative.

Evans was brought on to try to spark up proceedings and a fiery spell produced three quick wickets, but a stubborn 93 not out from Turner meant that neither side could achieve victory and the game petered out to a draw with Orsett ending on 207 for seven.

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