A good performance saw Chelmsford return to winning ways after an exciting match at Brentwood on Saturday.

The home side elected to have first use of a good wicket but found early runs hard to come by due to accurate but luckless bowling from Tim Jones and Bob Semple before the introduction of Eddie Lawrence (2-42) broke the opening partnership.

Brentwood steadily accumulated runs for the loss of the occasional wicket putting them into a good position at 127 for five entering the closing stages of the innings.

Simon Evans then joined the bowling attack and delivered a fiery spell of four for 36, which included an excellent stumping from Ian Brailey standing up, and ensuring that the final Brentwood total of 190 for nine at the declaration was not too imposing.

Chelmsford made steady progress in reply, but growing frustration at being tied down by good bowling and a slow over rate led to some ill-judged strokes from the top order when seemingly well set.

At 109 for five, with 12 overs left, the likelihood of victory seemed remote, but skipper Neil Fergus (48) and Simon Evans (34 n.o), pressurisied fielders with good running to reduce the target to 23 with four overs left.

The dismissal of Fergus then appeared to have swung the balance back in Brentwood's favour.

However Evans, aided by Stuart Everard, calmly pursued the cause by adding 32 off the next three overs before Everard was caught behind leaving two runs required for victory with four balls left.

Lawrence ran a single off the next ball which was followed by a 'dot' ball. The match then ended in bizarre fashion as Evans was also caught behind off the next ball before both sides alike realised that the umpire had called 'no-ball' giving Chelmsford a narrow but well-deserved win.

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