Brentwood were delighted to register their first league win of the season last Saturday, after overcoming both Orsett & Thurrock, and the weather in a tight finish.

On a good pitch with a fast outfield, it was clear from the outset that bat was likely to dominate ball; and so it proved.

Orsett, made the most of the good batting conditions with their opening batsman, Paul Shaw, reaching a fluent century and finishing on 124 not out.

Brentwood bowled and fielded well in the circumstances, with Nigel Porter again providing a superb spell of spin bowling, his figures of three for 53 scarcely reflecting the full value of his efforts.

The Orsett declaration came at 207 for four off 51 overs.

Brentwood needed a good start if they were to better this challenging total in the relatively short time available and that is exactly what they got.

Graeme Walker signalled the Brentwood resolve by taking 18 runs off the first over of the innings.

The impetus was carried on by Gavin Todd, who made 41 in a well-judged innings; but it was skipper Micky Davis, with a breathtaking 68 not out off only 57 balls who provided the platform for Brentwood's eventual victory.

At one point, it appeared that thunder and lightning might bring the game to a premature end; but play was resumed and Micky Davis and Danny Hazle (again in good form, with 43 not out) saw Brentwood safely home off only 33 overs for the loss of just three wickets.

On Saturday, Brentwood's first team are away to Chingford in a Shepherd Neame Essex League match.

Brentwood second team were frustrated by the weather. They confined West Essex to 167 for eight off 52 overs, thanks to some tight bowling and sharp fielding.

Ash Patel showed what a good bowler he still is by bowling unchanged and taking six for 71 off 26 overs.

Brentwood looked to have matters well in hand, with Dave Berry (37), Chris Boon (33) and Barry Davis (29) all in good form, but a downpour of rain interrupted proceedings with the Brentwood score standing at 137 for four.

With plenty of good batting left, Brentwood should have had few problems in knocking off the runs in the remaining seven and a half overs; but, unhappily for them, the conditions did not allow a resumption of play.

Brentwood third team also fell victims to the weather, with victory in sight.

Brentwood scored 212, with Jason Swan hitting an ebullient 61 and receiving good support from Steve Lennon (38) and Jon Coote (31).

They then had West Essex on the rack at 101 for eight, with Rob Coote (5-39) posing considerable problems for the batsmen, but the weather denied Brentwood the win they deserved.

Brentwood's fourth team game was also rudely terminated by the weather, with the match poised for an interesting finish.

Brentwood were all out for 161 (Mick Roach top-scoring with 25) and West Essex had reached 105 for five when rain intervened.

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