BOXTED are keeping their fingers crossed that star batsman Ian Evans will be fit to take his place in the side this weekend.

Evans has been in top form with the bat so far this season and is needed by Boxted for Sunday's second division outing against Clacton Ramblers at Cage Lane.

A century (101) in last Sunday's win over Elmstead Grasshoppers, preceded by a knock of 44 in the 177-run win over Little Baddow, has made Evans hot property.

But he is currently in doubt for Sunday's Ramblers clash because of a knee injury picked up while bowling against Bocking.

"We just hope Ian is going to be alright," said Boxted chairman and team-mate Paul Harris.

"He was able to stay out in the middle long enough to score his century after picking up the injury.

"But he was forced to pull out of the action after just one delivery when he attempted to bowl.

"We are just hoping Ian is going to be fit enough for this weekend."

Luckily, if Evans doesn't make it, Boxted have two other prolific run-scorers to call on.

Ed Whybrow is another Cage Lane favourite with a century to his name this term.

He hit an unbeaten 107 in the win over Baddow, while Chris Wilson weighed in with 73, plus another 60 in the Bank Holiday Monday home defeat to Bocking.

Who is going to be the first team this summer to halt undefeated division one side Great Bromley in their tracks?

The Rectory Road outfit travel to Gosfield on Sunday, having won all four of their league and knockout cup games played - the game at Chappel in late April was cancelled because of rain.

But big wins over Eight Ash Green, Galleywood, Bocking and West Bergholt have made Bromley the team to beat going into the second month of the season.

Richard Lawson and Chris Perrin set the trend with 77 and 44 respectively in the six-wicket triumph over EAG.

Lawson (60) and Perrin (68) followed up with another 128 runs between them in a 73-run win at Galleywood.

Jason Reed 85, L Perrin 44 not out, while Lawson 42 starred in last Saturday's 125-run Knockout Cup win at Bocking.

Up in the premier division, having finally got their campaign off the mark with a 33-run success at Kelvedon and Feering following successive defeats at the hands of Frinton and Maldon, reigning league champions Clacton entertain coastal neighbours Mistley at Vista Road.