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26th April
Westcliff-on-Sea 1st XI - 183 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 186 for 2
Brentwood won by 8 wickets
League Cup
Brentwood travelled to Westcliff for their league cup first round encounter in confident mood after last week's impressive win against Dartford.
Westcliff won the toss and batted, but were soon in trouble against an accurate new ball attack, new season captain Richard Whitehall striking an early blow for the visitors in his second over. The home side found runs hard to come by, and it was no surprise when Joe Fryd picked up the second wicket, courtesy of a fine catch by Richard Walford and after 10 overs Westcliff were struggling at 20 for 2. Wade then joined McKeith at the crease and set about repairing the damage. These two took the score past 100 and for the first time Brentwood's out cricket became a little ragged.
The dismissal of Wade proved vital and with Whitehall rotating his bowlers well, the home side found themselves pegged back and wickets began to tumble. The final wicket fell to Whitehall in the last over, giving him figures of 4 for 30 from 8.5 overs. The ever improving Fryd, 3 for 24 from 9 overs, and good containing spells from Richard Walford and Tom Davey ably assisted him. McKeith's well made 79 was the highlight of the home sides innings and ensured a challenging total of 183 was set.
Brentwood's reply began well with last week's centurion Jon Walford again in prime form. The Westcliff bowlers struggled to maintain line and length, and Walford's attacking strokeplay began to encourage opening partner Shane Surujbally, and for the second week running Brentwood's openers put on over a 100 for the first wicket.
Surujbally looks to be continuing the form which he showed so consistently last season and if he continues to mature and apply himself in this manner he will be staking a consistent claim as Walford's opening partner in the first team. He eventually fell for an excellent 44 with the score on 135, but this did nothing to affect Walford's attitude, and he continued to flog the Westcliff attack to all parts, until on 99 he perished, lobbing a catch to cover.
Brentwood eased to victory in 33 overs finishing on 186 for 2, a resounding victory against opposition from a higher division, giving them high hopes going into this Saturday's second round match. The first two weeks of the season have given Whitehall an opportunity to see the depth of his squad and with continued application and availability he can begin to look forward to the league season with a sense of optimism.
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10th May
Brentwood 1st XI v West Essex 1st XI
Brentwood 1st XI - 253-1
West Essex 1st XI - 252-4
Brentwood won by 9 wickets
Brentwood's winning start to the season continued as they coasted to victory in their opening league fixture against visitors West Essex.
Set a challenging total of 252, Brentwood scored the winning runs in the penultimate over for the loss of just one wicket, mainly thanks to John Walford's second century of the season and Danny Hazle's run a ball 66.
It was the visitors who won the toss and elected to bat and were quickly into their stride with J Butler in particular punishing anything loose from the new ball pairing of Richard Whitehall and Joe Fryd. This prompted skipper Whitehall to introduce Australian off spinner Paul Sutherland to proceedings and he removed Hussain, well caught by keeper Ben Cocklin for 21. Butler continued to score freely until John Walford caught him in the deep for 63, giving Sutherland his second wicket.
Brentwood failed to capitalise, and Farnon made them pay for a straight forward dropped chance before he had scored with a series of lusty blows. The Brentwood fielding and bowling began to wilt, with two more catches going to ground and then a sickening clash of heads between Chris Boon and Keith Burgess, who were trying to take the same catch, left both players requiring hospital treatment. Fryd bowled Farnon for a quick-fire 57, and Sutherland accounted for Ayub, caught by Hazle for 20 and the visitors declared at 252-4 from 50 overs, A Nazir remaining unbeaten on 76.
With regular opener Chris Boon still receiving treatment for his head injury, Glen Leech was promoted to partner the in-form John Walford, and these two got the Brentwood reply off to a great start, scoring at the required rate with consummate ease. They took the score past 100, then Leech was bowled by C Hall for a promising 45. Hazle then joined Walford in the middle and the runs continued to flow.
The West Essex attack had no answers to the controlled stroke-play of Walford or the belligerent power of Danny Hazle, and victory was achieved with an over to spare, John Walford not out 125 and Danny Hazle not out 66.
This made it four wins from four matches for new season skipper Richard Whitehall, who was full of praise for his batsmen, but less than impressed by his team's lacklustre fielding display, which must improve if Brentwood are to challenge for honours.
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17th May
Brentwood 1st XI v Old Parkonians 1st XI
Brentwood 208-6 dec (52 overs)
Old Parkonians 157-7 (36 overs)
Match drawn
Brentwood travelled to Old Parkonians on Saturday on the back of a 4 game winning streak. They faced an Old Park's side who had also won their only league game. Brentwood skipper Richard Whitehall lost the toss and Brentwood were invited to bat on a wet wicket under cloudy skies.
Opening batsmen Jon Walford and Chris Boon had to play watchfully as the Old Park's seamers extracted prodigious movement from the pitch. As in previous games Walford swiftly gained in confidence and began to dominate the bowling. The pair reached their 50 partnership in the 16th over which was the signal for Boon to also raise his scoring rate. However with the score on 96 Walford played on to his own stumps off the bowling of Kumar for 56. Old Parkonians took advantage of this breakthrough and spin bowlers Arshad Ali and M Kumar bowled tightly to restrict the scoring rate. Brentwood lost batsman Danny Hazle and Richard Walford in quick succession as their target of 200 began to look in danger, but aided by Paul Sutherland, Chris Boon took control and played some expansive shots before he was caught at long off for 79. Debutant Matt Westwood shepherded the end of the Brentwood innings, scoring 33 off 27 balls and with the support of Paul Larner and Whitehall, the score reached 208-6 at the end of their allotted 52 overs.
Heavy rain delayed the start of the Old Park's reply until 5:35pm. To the credit of the home side this did not distract them from targeting a victory. However with Paul Sutherland taking 2 early wickets, one courtesy of an excellent stumping by Ben Cocklin such hope seemed to be slipping away from Old Parks. Enter the mercurial Aarshad Ali, who having played himself in for 5 overs launched an attack on the bowling of Richard Walford. In an amazing display of stroke-play he hit 26 off one over including five 4's and one 6. Again it was Sutherland who made the breakthrough when Ali was well caught by Boon at long-off for 49 from 30 balls. Old Parks continued to chase the game, but with Sutherland bowling superbly their required run rate soon reached 8 an over. When Ian Belchamber had Glassberg caught at extra cover by Whitehall the home side's chances of victory were over. Brentwood now needed to take 3 more wickets to win the game. However Whitehall and Sutherland were unable to remove the Old Park's tail end and the game ended in a draw. Australian Sutherland finished with the impressive figures of 6 for 44 from 18 overs.
Brentwood gained 11 points from the game, which continues their good start to the season. They travel to Upminster next week for a difficult game against another in-form side.
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24th May
Upminster 1st XI vs. Brentwood 1st XI
Brentwood 132 all out (50 overs)
Upminster 105-8
Match Drawn
Brentwood travelled to Upminster in search of their second win of the season, which would have seen them overhaul their hosts. Brentwood captain Richard Whitehall elected to bat first and it soon became evident scoring runs would require patience on a very slow pitch.
Openers Chris Boon and Matt Westwood both rode their luck early on but eventually found some form and took the score to 47 before Westwood was caught behind off the bowling of O'Dell for 16. Tony Jones joined Boon at the crease and both struggled to make any impact against the spin bowling of Richard Wall and S Rahman and Boon was soon trapped leg-before by Rahman for 23.
Tony Jones was next to depart, lobbing a full toss to mid-off and when Aussie Paul Sutherland was also trapped in front, Brentwood were on the rack at 60-4. The leg spin of Rahman continued to bamboozle the visitors batting, with Surujbally and Whitehall both being bowled. Larner was well caught at gully off the bowling of Wall and only Richard Walford showed the discipline required to show scoring runs was possible. He took the score to 131 before he was last man out well caught in the deep off the bowling of Wall for 46. Rahman finished with the excellent figures of 6-37 ably supported by Wall 3-43. Walford's lack of middle order support meant Brentwood only managed to bat for 50 overs.
Upminster emerged after tea facing the task of scoring 132 in just under two hours plus 20 overs. Openers Lorne Sprigg and Paul Brockman started cautiously against the old ball. Successive boundaries hit by Sprigg off the bowling of Whitehall saw a swift end to his spell and the slow left arm of Ian Belchamber was soon operating in tandem with Aussie off-spinner Paul Sutherland. In his second over, Belchamber defeated Sprigg in the flight and bowled him for 15. In his next over he tempted O'Dell to hit against the spin and Tony Jones held a fine catch at cover to leave Upminster 32-2.
With the miserly Sutherland giving nothing away at the other end Belchamber continued to penetrate the Upminster batting. A fine return catch accounted for M Rath, Rahman was snapped up at slip by Sutherland and when Brockman's stubborn resistance was ended Belchamber had his fifth wicket and Brentwood sensed an unlikely victory. Sutherland's persistence gained him the wicket of Hogg and with 15 overs remaining Upminster required 60 for victory with 4 wickets in hand. O'Dell became Belchambers next victim and when Sutherland comprehensively bowled S Mack for 30 the home side needed 25 from the last 3 overs. Richard Wall played out a maiden, then heavy rain brought a premature end to the game and the match was abandoned as a draw, leaving Upminster on 105-8 from 54 overs. Belchamber finishing with the impressive figures of 6-41 and Sutherland 2-38 from 27 overs.
Next week Brentwood take on league leaders Wickford at the Old County Ground.
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31st May
Brentwood 1st XI vs. Wickford 1st XI
Brentwood 1st XI - 209-5
Wickford 1st XI - 208 all out
Brentwood won by 5 wickets
Brentwood skipper Richard Whitehall led his side to victory with a quick-fire 21 not out as Brentwood overhauled the visitors 208 off the last ball of the penultimate over.
Whitehall won the toss and inserted Wickford in perfect batting conditions, knowing his side would have to be on top of their game to restrict the powerful batting of their opponents to manageable proportions.
Joe Fryd struck an early blow for the home side, removing Wickford captain Evans via a return catch. Things got better for Brentwood when the impressive Fryd tempted a big drive from Wickford's Aussie Kim Beazleigh and the ball flew into Mat Westwood's hands at second slip.
Whitehall was once again quick to introduce Australian off-spinner Paul Sutherland to proceedings, who quickly found his rhythm, causing problems with his subtle variations. Richard Walford replaced Fryd and his accurate seamers earned him the wicket of Gladwin, bowled for 30. Wright then joined Bate in the middle and after a cautious start began to pressure Brentwood with some big shots. They put on 95 for the fourth wicket before Sutherland had Bate caught by Tony Jones for a well made 62. Hammond continued in the same vein, scoring a rapid 27 before he was run out following excellent work from Fryd and wicket keeper Ben Cocklin.
Wright soon followed, holing out to Chris Boon at long-on off the bowling of Sutherland for 49. Walford quickly mopped up the Wickford tail and they were bowled out in the last over for 208, Fryd finishing with 9 overs 2-34, Sutherland 21 overs 3-79, and Walford 17 overs 4-67.
Brentwood needed a good start, and after a first over scare for Jon Walford when he fended off a fierce lifting delivery from Jamie Went, he was soon into his stride. Walford dominated an opening partnership with Boon but was bowled by M Evans for 46 with the score on 65. Westwood joined Boon at the crease and just as he began to find his touch was dismissed courtesy of a fine diving catch by Baker from Goddard's first delivery.
Richard Walford was next in, and he and Boon kept the pressure on with some attacking running, until a misunderstanding led to the run-out of Boon for 43. Walford soon followed, bowled by Bate for 23, and Brentwood's task looked much more difficult, needing 8 an over off the last 7 overs. Sutherland and Glen Leech upped the tempo until Leech sustained a serious injury pushing off for a single and was forced to retire. Sutherland then holed out in the deep and things looked bleak for Brentwood. However, several lusty blows from Whitehall swung things back in favour of the home side, and when he smashed the last ball of Went's final over back past him the game was won.
This was a fine all-round display from Brentwood, marred only by the news as to the extent of Glen Leeche's injury, a snapped Achilles tendon, which will probably rule him out for the season.
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7th June
Brentwood 1st XI vs. Southend-on-Sea 1st XI
Southend-on-Sea 1st XI - 201 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 202-5
Brentwood won by 5 wickets
Jon Walford and Paul Sutherland rescued Brentwood with a match winning sixth wicket partnership of 180 to maintain their strong start to the season.
Things began well for Brentwood when their host's decided to bat but struggled to make any impact against the visitor's new ball pairing of Joe Fryd and Richard Whitehall. Again it was Fryd who achieved the initial breakthrough, bowling Gammon for four. The introduction of Sutherland brought further success as Whitehall snapped up Clarke at silly mid-off.
Wathen was next to fall, taking on Sutherland once too often, and finding the hands of Chris Lawless at long on. Khan and Spear batted sensibly and seemed to be setting the platform for a reasonable total until Ian Belchamber bowled Spear for 44.
Sutherland then removed Khan via a good catch from wicket keeper Ben Cocklin and the Southend innings began to stall, so much so that at 174-7 from 52 overs, they decided to bat on and so relinquish their batting points. Brentwood eventually bowled out their hosts in the sixty second over for 201, Paul Sutherland's marathon spell of 25.4 overs giving him figures of 6-73, Ian Belchamber 19 overs 3-70.
Brentwood's reply began disastrously as they lost Chris Boon and Tom Davey in Zadi's first over. Worse was to follow when Richard Walford top edged a cut stroke to cover and then Paul Larner was superbly caught at gully by Gammon giving Wathen his second wicket. Lawless became Wathen's third victim leaving Brentwood in dire straits at 24-5.
Sutherland then joined Jon Walford at the middle and they set about repairing the damage. Despite the perilous position, Walford soon began to dominate the Southend bowlers, cutting and pulling anything short, and piercing the cover region with a series of sumptuous drives. Sutherland too was quickly into his stride, playing some handsome shots all round the wicket.
The Southend attack had no answers to this awesome batting display, and victory was achieved with 6 overs still remaining, Jon Walford making a sublime 120 not out, and Paul Sutherland capping a fine all-round display finishing 64 not out.
This win moves Brentwood into second place in the table. Next week they entertain Leigh-on-sea at the Old County Ground.
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14th June
Brentwood 1st XI vs. Leigh-on-Sea 1st XI
Brentwood 1st XI - 81-4
Leigh-on-Sea 1st XI - 80 all out
Brentwood won by 6 wickets
Brentwood continued their recent impressive form with victory over Leigh-on-Sea being confirmed at 4:40.
On one of the hottest days of the year, Leigh won the toss on what appeared to be a hard, fast, flat wicket and elected to bat. Captain Richard Whitehall took the new ball along with Joe Fryd, with both looking threatening. It was Whitehall who made the initial breakthrough, claiming his first league wicket of the season with Burch edging one to wicketkeeper Ben Cocklin with the score on 16.
Spin was introduced as early as the eleventh over, and off spinner Paul Sutherland and left armer Ian Belchamber started causing immediate problems, with the latter taking a wicket with his second ball. Wickets continued to tumble from both ends, notably two run outs by 17 year old debutant Peter Morgan, and a catch by Chris Boon off Sutherland that would not have looked out of place in a test arena to remove the dangerous Waller.
It was Belchamber who finally wrapped things up with two wickets in the 28th over to finish with figures of 4-26, while Sutherland finished with 3-22.
Brentwood in reply looked to attack from the off, although Green was looking dangerous, extracting plenty of bounce. It was he who picked up the first two wickets to leave Brentwood at 20-2 with similar sorts of deliveries. This left the two Walford brothers at the wicket together. In form Jon, having hit a century at Lords during the week against Loughborough Academy, was once more playing shots to all areas of the ground. However Green got one to keep low to him, the only delivery to misbehave all day, to end his innings for 28. However, Richard Walford and Paul Larner brought the scores level before the former was out leg before wicket, leaving Morgan the opportunity to score the winning leg bye.
Skipper Whitehall was justifiably delighted with the result. "One thing we have attempted to do all season is to tighten up in the field. On this occasion we did not miss a chance and managed to get wickets through building up of pressure." Next week, Brentwood travel to third placed Ardleigh Green in what is sure to be a close encounter.
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21st June
Brentwood 1st XI vs. Ardleigh Green 1st XI
Brentwood 1st XI - 212 all out
Ardleigh Green 1st XI - 129 all out
Brentwood won by 83 runs
A Brentwood victory by 83 runs over fellow promotion contenders Ardleigh Green was overshadowed with news of a serious injury to inform batsman Jon Walford. Just three weeks after Glen Leech's snapped Achilles tendon, Walford, on the back of his eighth century of the season, dislocated his shoulder whilst diving for a ball in the outfield. However, early indications from the hospital indicate that the injury may only keep him out for weeks, rather than months.
This victory now opens the gap between second and third to 21 points, but a Brentwood victory looked a long way off at one stage. Inserted to bat by Ardleigh Green skipper Roy Smith, Brentwood lost their first wicket in just the second over of the game, when Chris Boon played round a Smith delivery. Cornelius then picked up a hat-trick with the wickets of Tom Davey, Paul Larner and Peter Morgan, while Roy Smith accounted for the crucial wicket of Jon Walford. With Richard Walford following soon after Brentwood were 28-6 and staring at defeat before four o'clock. However Paul Sutherland for the second time in three weeks was a part of the rescue act riding his luck somewhat to make 59 off 100 balls. At the other end, Richard Whitehall played a true captain's innings just when it was required making his maiden league 50. Together, Whitehall and Sutherland put on a stand of 109, before Sutherland was adjudged leg before wicket, but at 137-7, Brentwood were still struggling. Ben Cocklin (35) came to the wicket to put on 47 with Whitehall, and then Ian Belchamber (12 not out) saw Brentwood over the magical 200 mark. Brentwood then played out the overs to end up with a total of 212.
Belchamber picked up the wicket of Brailey in his first over, and Nicols was run out largely due to some fine boundary work by Joe Fryd. This brought Smith and Jon Powell to the wicket. Both were very quick to pounce on anything loose and started to push the score along and at 75-2 were very much in the hunt. However, Brentwood started to apply pressure from both ends and Sutherland ended up with the wicket of Powell. Whitehall, bringing himself on accounted for two wickets in two balls in his second over, and with more pressure building on Smith, he was run out following a mis-field by Larner for 56. Wickets continued to tumble, and it was left to Joe Fryd to claim the final wicket with his fourth delivery. Sutherland ended with figures of 3-46 from 20 overs, while Whitehall claimed 2 for 6 from just 4 overs.
Skipper Whitehall was pleased with the way both sides had played the game. "Even though this was a keenly fought contest, it was played in the right spirit. Particularly I would like to thank Roy Smith for providing a twelfth man following the injury sustained to Jon [Walford]. I wish him well too and a speedy recovery."
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28th June
Brentwood 1st XI vs Old Southendians 1st XI
Brentwood 1st XI - 109-7
Old Southendians 1st XI - 106 all out
Brentwood won by 3 wickets
Another excellent bowling display gave Brentwood their fifth win on the bounce, but the side did make hard work of what should have been an easy victory.
Brentwood bowled first on another excellent wicket and a quick outfield. Skipper Richard Whitehall made the openers James and Johnston feel uneasy with a series of sharply lifting deliveries. His hard work paid off as he had James caught at square leg fending off such a delivery with the score on 20.
Once again spin was introduced early by Whitehall with Ian Belchamber's slow left arm in combination with Australian Paul Sutherland. Both started applying pressure from the start, and this paid off when Joe Fryd ran out Clarke going for a second with a 60 yard flat throw. Sutherland then accounted for Johnston who made a gritty 18, and Belchamber had Sawyer leg before wicket. When Sutherland then had Bunce caught by Peter Morgan whilst sweeping the score was 57-6 and another early finish looked likely. However, R. Dennis made 41 as the bowlers got tired in the sapping heat, and with support from the tail, the score crept over the 100 mark. A clever bowling change brought on the 'chinaman' bowling of Matt Westwood, who picked up two wickets including the important one of Dennis. Sutherland ended with figures of 4-29 off 15 overs, Belchamber with 2-39 off 14 and Westwood 2-5.
Brentwood in reply, looked to take the game immediately to the opposition, but lost Chris Boon in the first over to a lifter from T. Dennis. This brought Westwood to the wicket who looked to attack from the off and made 27 in no time at all before he was bowled by a swinging yorker, again by Dennis. Richard Walford carried on where Westwood had left to take the score onto 79-2, before he too fell for 23 to a delivery that seemed to "stop". All this time Paul Larner had been playing the anchor role, and he fell soon after for 23 with the score on 83-4.
However, a small collapse then ensued as Morgan was out first ball, Sutherland fell LBW for a quick 10 and Whitehall left a straight one and was promptly bowled by Dennis. This left Tom Davey, who had hung around while wickets were falling around him and Belchamber to hit the winning runs with 3 wickets and plenty of time left. Dennis finished with figures of 5-53.
Man of the match Sutherland was justifiably pleased with his performance. "I think that's probably the best I have bowled all year. It's great to get another 18 points. I hope that the team can carry on the form we have been showing of late." Captain Whitehall declined to comment.
Next week Brentwood face a local derby with Billericay.
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5th July
Brentwood 1st XI vs Billericay 1st XI
Billericay 1st XI - 137 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 88 all out
Billericay won by 49 runs
Brentwood fell to their first defeat of the season mainly due to a brilliant individual performance from Nathan Batson. However, with other results falling favourably, Brentwood maintain a 22 point gap between themselves in second and third place at the halfway stage of the season.
Brentwood skipper Richard Whitehall won the toss and inserted Billericay into bat on a damp wicket. The captain took the new ball along with Joe Fryd and both beat the outside edge of the Billericay openers Rutland and Bethell on a consistent basis. However the score managed to creep up to 24 before Whitehall made the breakthrough getting Rutland caught at mid on by Tom Davey. Bethell quickly followed when he snicked one to 'keeper Ben Cocklin. Whitehall then proceeded to bowl Dix and get Hynes caught by Antipodean Paul Sutherland with a sharp reaction at gully. The introduction of Sutherland's off spin at the other end accounted for Southgate caught behind, and when Whitehall got the wicket of Samouelle, Billericay were in turmoil at 47-7. However, Batson was still in and playing a number of neat shots. He found support in the form of nine, ten and jack being Pryke, Walter and Bangs respectively. The total began to creep up and the momentum was with Billericay. This included the last wicket stand of 45, to take the score up to 137, and this final partnership would prove crucial as the match developed. Batson scored an unbeaten 50, while Whitehall finished with seasons best figures of 6-42, and Sutherland 3-30 off his 16 overs. Fryd can count himself desperately unlucky to finish wicketless. Cocklin also managed 5 catches from behind the stumps.
Brentwood's innings did not start in the best manner as Boon fell caught in the slips off Pryke, but Paul Larner and Steve Taylor set about settling the ship with a partnership of 28 before Taylor unfortunately fell leg before to leave the score at 40-2. With Sutherland, Larner and Shane Surujbally all falling in quick succession to Batson, the game was evenly poised. Batson continued to pick up wickets with his swing bowling as he had Tony Jones out not playing a stroke, bowled Whitehall with a yorker and had Ian Belchamber out also not playing a stroke. Dix picked up the last wicket of Joe Fryd to leave Cocklin stranded at the other end. Batson finished with figures of 15-6-36-7. The last 9 wickets fell for just 48 runs. Billericay's last 3 wickets made 90.
While Brentwood were disheartened with their first defeat of the season, bringing an end to their five match winning streak, the side must pick themselves up for next weeks return fixture away at West Essex, who are currently sat in third place. The good news the side received was that Jon Walford's shoulder injury may not keep him out as long as was once feared and may be playing again within the week.
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12th July
Brentwood 1st XI vs West Essex 1st XI
Brentwood 1st XI - 184-8 declared
West Essex 1st XI - 150 all out
Brentwood won by 34 runs
Brentwood returned to winning ways on Saturday, following their first defeat against Billericay the week before. This win takes them 30 points clear of third place, and was a crucial win as West Essex were hot on the heals of Brentwood as things stood.
Captain Richard Whitehall won the toss and for the first time this season elected to bat on a wicket that looked as if the top may go. Setting a target was always going to be a challenge, especially as the boundary on one side was only 20 yards from the bat. However openers Matt Westwood and Paul Larner started in determined fashion before Westwood fell with the score on 29. Tony Jones and Larner took the score onto 50 before the latter fell just one ball after striking a nasty blow into the side of his leg. Jones was to fall soon after with the score on 55 and all three wickets were taken by Nazir. At the other end, the recently signed Mughal was bowling an extremely tight line and getting swing as well as inconsistent bounce which accounted for Richard Walford. Meanwhile, the recently out of retirement Gary Jones looked as if he had never been away, playing those familiar square cuts Brentwood supporters have grown to love. He was eventually out for 32 when Nazir got one to nip back. This left Brentwood in trouble at 92-5, however Shane Surujbally was playing a highly determined innings before the pressure built and he was out attempting to hit off-spinner Dial over mid wicket for 19. Paul Sutherland then attempted to take the attack to the bowlers before hitting the tireless Mughal straight to mid off. Many other sides would have been highly concerned at 129-7, but Brentwood took much comfort from the fact that it was Ben Cocklin and Whitehall at the wicket. These two put on a partnership of 33 before Whitehall fell in the last 4 overs attempting to accelerate the score. It was then down to Cocklin and Ian Belchamber to take the score past 175, and add a further 9 to take the score to an impressive 184-8. Mughal finished with figures of 26-12-40-3.
It was Sutherland and Whitehall who took the old ball in an effort to stifle the batsmen and close off the short boundary. The tactic looked a good one as Whitehall removed the openers, Butler and Butler before the score had reached 25, and Sutherland then accounted for Nazir, stumped by Cocklin. Both continued to take wickets to leave the score on 38-6. However, Tappin was still at the wicket having had a couple of half chances put down, and some close shouts turned down. Brentwood required some inspirational cricket and got it, as Tony Jones produced a full length, one handed dive to catch Tappin inches off the floor. Mughal then produced some entertainment for the gathering crowd with 24 off just 9 balls including two vicious sixes off Sutherland, before getting him caught by a diving Whitehall. Sutherland then picked up the wicket of Nazir soon after. Dial, the number eleven decided that the short boundary was too tempting and launched Sutherland over it in consecutive balls. However, Whitehall opted to take the new ball and picked up Dial, leaving Brentwood players ecstatic.
While no doubt bowlers Sutherland and Whitehall will get much of the plaudits for their bowling performance in picking up five wickets each, it was undoubtedly the team effort whilst batting that set the team up for victory. 184 always looked too many to chase, and everyone played their part in getting to that total. Brentwood will now be in good spirits for two big games this week. The first against the dangerous Old Parks, and the second the League Cup quarter finals against local rivals Shenfield.
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19th July
Brentwood 1st XI vs Old Parkonians 1st XI
Brentwood 1st XI - 139 all out
Old Parkonians - 220-9
Old Parkonians won by 81 runs
Brentwood fell to their second defeat in three games after their 81 run defeat by Old Parks at the Old County Ground, Brentwood.
On a hard wicket, captain Richard Whitehall lost the toss and was put into the field. The mercurial Ali opened the batting alongside Glassberg and the two immediately attacked Brentwood's seam attack with some heavy hitting. In fact the score had hit 63 in 7 overs before the introduction of off spinner Paul Sutherland accounted for Ali with just his 4th delivery. The more orthodox Buxton came to the wicket, but pressure was soon applied in the form of the spin pairing of Sutherland and Ian Belchamber. However, the two picked up runs, and were in no hurry following the start made by the openers. Belchamber then made the breakthrough with the wicket of Buxton, and soon after Glassberg fell to Sutherland for 56. Joe Fryd then ran out Faisal, following a fumble in the deep. Wickets continued to tumble as the accuracy of Sutherland applied the pressure, but Old Parks managed to post a highly respectable 220. Sutherland finished with the excellent figures of 23-6-54-5, while Belchamber picked up 3-81 off his 21 overs.
Old Parks opted to take the old ball and opened with off spinners Ali and Kumar. Ali got the wicket of Chris Boon early on, and Graham Walker was run out following a mix up with Jon Walford. Walford was the only one really getting to grips with the accuracy of the two bowlers, while wickets were tumbling at the other end. Ali then picked up the wickets of Richard Walford, Tony Jones and Shane Surujbally. Sutherland attempted some big shots before falling to Ali for 21, and Jon Walford then was plum leg before to Kumar for 72. The tail all followed suit leaving Whitehall stranded for 11. Ali finished with 8-52 off 22 overs.
The side now need to pick themselves up for next Saturday's game against third place Upminster, although should take comfort from their 21 point lead.
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20th July
Shepherd Neame Essex League Cup Quarter Final
Brentwood v Shenfield
Shenfield 1st XI - 194 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 196-3
Brentwood won by 7 wickets
Brentwood made it into the league cup semi final with a seven wicket defeat of local rivals Shenfield.
Following heavy overnight rain, the pitch was mainly dry and in the circumstanceas played remarkably well. However, it was Brentwood who fielded first in an attempt to make use of what dampness there was.
Shenfield's openers, Weber and Keane, took the attack to the Brentwood seam bowlers, cruising along at five runs an over, with Weber playing a couple of super on drives for four. The introduction of off spinner Paul Sutherland into the attack slowed the run rate down immediately and eventually got his reward as he had his fellow Australian Weber caught at short third man for 43. Ian Belchamber, introduced at the other end had Keane stumped in his first over by Ben Cocklin. Richard Walford, replacing Sutherland, continued with the tight bowling and got his reward with two wickets in one over, including Shenfield's other Australian, Simpson. The wickets of Moore and Jones followed soon after to Belchamber, and Walford picked up Tredget, as the pressure of the tight bowling made the batsmen try to force the pace. Captain Richard Whitehall and Sutherland replaced Belchamber and Walford following the completion of their allotted overs, and tied up the innings as Whitehall picked up the wicket of Walton and Sutherland managed to defeat Maynard and Hindley. The Shenfield tail managed to scrape the score up to 194.
The Shenfield opening bowlers, Moore and Hindley managed to induce a couple of uncharacteristically loose shots from Jon Walford, on his return from injury, but he soon picked up where he left off before his shoulder dislocation. He and fellow opening batsman Paul Larner managed to put on 21 before the latter fell leaving one that Hindley managed to nip back at him, and he was clean bowled. This brought Graham Walker to the crease to reunite last years opening partnership. With Walford in such superlative form, Walker was able to relax and only look for singles, although he managed to find the boundary on the occasions that the Shenfield bowlers went off line. Walford was especially relentless in his attack on Wickes and Simpson playing shots to all parts of the ground. Walker was eventually out for 38 to the left arm spin bowling of Wright, having put on a partnership of 153 with Walford. Walford then fell soon after to Hindley attempting to finish the game off for 124 from just 85 deliveries. It was then left to Richard Walford and Tony Jones to finish the game off with 15 of the 45 overs remaining.
Man of the match Jon Walford said "It was good to come back like that after a few weeks off. I now think I'm back where I was before the injury. I'm feeling no worries about the shoulder."
In the next round Brentwood take on the winners of the Gidea Park and Saffron Walden clash to be played on either the 10th or 17th of August.
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26th July
Brentwood v Upminster
Brentwood 1st XI - 159-8
Upminster 1st XI - 127-7
Match drawn
After 2 defeats in the last 3 matches, Brentwood needed a good performance to keep their push for promotion alive.
Home skipper Richard Whitehall won the toss and decided to bat first in decent conditions. The home side got off to a solid start with Jon Walford and Paul Larner taking the score to 75 before Walford miscued a ball from Curtis and was easily caught at cover for 45. The introduction of spin changed the game with Upminster skipper Lorn Sprigg removing Larner for 33 and then Graeme Walker and Richard Walford in quick succession to leave Brentwood struggling at 80-4. Only Surujbally offered any middle order resistance and once again it was left to the tail, led by skipper Whitehall's intelligent 30 not out, to ensure a competitive score of 159 was achieved.
Play resumed under darkening skies, Brentwood, starting with the old ball and the off-spin of Walker and Sutherland, confident of victory on a turning pitch. Walker struck first, bowling Mayes in his first over.
Sutherland was soon into his stride removing Brockman, Rhaman and Rosser to leave the visitors in trouble at 40-4.
Lorn Sprigg set about repairing the damage in the ever-increasing drizzle. He was at first very watchful, but as the ball became wetter, the Brentwood bowlers inevitably struggled to maintain control, and Sprigg began to capitalise. Fielding too became increasingly difficult, and despite Sutherland picking up 2 more wickets, Whitehall decided to take the new ball. In a farcical first over, one delivery slipped from the skipper's hand and ballooned over batsman and a bemused Ben Cocklin behind the stumps. Despite fielders sliding around and catches slipping through fingers, the umpires refused to take the players off. With Sprigg looking dangerous and Upminster slight favourites at 127-7, the Upminster captain took the initiative, sportingly calling a day to proceedings by leaving the field.
The game was then abandoned as a draw, Brentwood 7 points, Upminster 4 points. Next week Brentwood travel to top of the table Wickford.
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2nd August
Brentwood v Wickford
Wickford 1st XI - 124 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 155-9 declared
Brentwood won by 31 runs
Brentwood travelled to the Dick Patmore Memorial Ground, Wickford, knowing that despite missing some key players they needed to come away with victory, not only to keep the pressure on league leaders Wickford, but to maintain the gap between themselves in second place and the chasing pack.
Brentwood Captain Richard Whitehall won the toss and elected to bat on a track that looked as if it might assist the spinners more and more as the game progressed. Brentwood subsequently made a good, albeit slow, start until Tony Jones was trapped leg before wicket for 7. Paul Larner was joined by Matt Westwood and the pair added 30 for the second wicket before Westwood needlessly hit a long-hop straight to extra cover and was caught for 16. At the halfway stage the visitors had made 79 for 3 and were looking at pushing towards 200. However, the batting side began struggling for runs in the face of some good, tight, bowling from the home sides spinners, George and Bate, and as the middle order went in search of runs, Larner (36), Richard Walford (15), Paul Sutherland (20) and Shane Surujbally (1) all lost their wickets leaving Brentwood precariously positioned at 119 for 6.
With Whitehall still at the crease and assisted by debutant Barry Brooks, Brentwood nursed the score past the 150 run mark before declaring after 52 overs on 155 for 9. This was a low score but with the dry wicket taking spin and causing the batsmen problems it was certainly one that Brentwood were hopeful of defending.
Brentwood's reply got off to the perfect start as openers Beazleigh and Bate were dismissed by the irrepressible Sutherland for 5 and 3 respectively. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and Ian Belchamber claimed his first wicket of the day as Chris Gladwin was superbly caught by Surujbally. As the frugal bowling continued to put the pressure on the Wickford batsmen, Sutherland continued to strike and pick up wickets. Wickford wicketkeeper Letch contributed a dangerous 36 and with batting all the way down to number 9, the home side were well placed needing 45 to win with 3 wickets remaining. However with Sutherland and Belchamber both extracting prodigious turn from the crumbling wicket the batsmen had no answer and were forced to take risks. With George slogging runs off Belchamber, the home win was still on but when Captain Evans attempted an extra run to Joe Fryd on the boundary, the fielders 60 yard flat throw was too good and the batsman was run out. Sutherland soon wrapped things up by bowling George through the gate and Brentwood recorded an improbable yet impressive win and takes them 19 points clear of third place.
Belchamber bowled well throughout and finished with 3 for 79 from 22 overs but it was Sutherland who did most damage finishing with 6 for 38 from 22.3. This was Sutherland's best bowling performance of the season, a season which has seen him claim 54 league wickets thus far. "I reckon this is my best bowling performance during my time at Brentwood" he said. "It gives us a great chance of promotion as we go into the last few games of the season."
Brentwood now take high spirits into this Saturday's home game against struggling Southend-on-Sea.
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9th August
Brentwood v Southend-on-Sea
Brentwood 1st XI - 211-6
Southend-on-Sea 1st XI - 207-9
Brentwood won by 4 wickets
Following last weeks win over top-of-the-table Wickford, Brentwood hosted struggling Southend looking for their second consecutive win but with a greatly weakened side from the previous week having lost Paul Larner, Paul Sutherland, Ian Belchamber and Joe Fryd.
When the Southend captain won the toss he predictably elected to bat first and forced Brentwood to field in the blazing heat. The home side however started in frugal fashion and the batsmen failed to score at above 2 an over due to the accurate pace attack of Brentwood's opening pair, most notably Ian Moore.
It was however first change bowler, Richard Walford, who made the breakthrough when he had Aldridge caught by Stuart Townson at first slip. This was the start of a lengthy and impressive bowling stint from Walford as Brentwood managed to keep the lid on the Southend batsmen through a combination of accurate bowling and some canny field placing. At the halfway point, the run rate was still at a paltry 2½ an over and as Southend looked to increase the run-rate, wickets began to fall. Off-spinner Keith Burgess was brought into the attack and picked up the wicket of Clarke as Walford continued to claim a further 3 wickets at the other end. Only Ben Wathen stood out amongst the batsmen, scoring an impressive 64, until he was caught on the boundary off the bowling of Walford.
In sapping conditions the bowlers were backed up by an excellent fielding display, most notably from Jon Walford and Shane Surujbally who both executed direct-hit run outs, and this meant that Southend were restricted to an inadequate 207-9 from 52 overs. Walford was by far the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 5-94.
Brentwood's reply started well with Jon Walford rising to the test set by the Southend bowlers who seemed intent on using the bounce in the pitch and bowled a short pitched delivery every ball. Walford's scorching innings matched the scorching temperatures as he soon passed 50. Tony Jones was the first to lose his wicket when he was trapped LBW by Heiser for 22. As Steve Taylor and Matt Westwood were both dismissed in quick succession, Southend sniffed an improbably victory. However, once Jon Walford was joined at the crease by brother Richard, the Brentwood innings got back on track and the total soon passed the 150 mark. This was until Jon Walford was well caught by Clarke for a superfluous 95 and more wickets soon began to fall, leaving the Brentwood innings teetering. It was left to Surujbally and Stuart Townson, both of whom showed cool temperaments and clear thought to push the total towards the required target. Victory was sealed in the final over of the game when Surujbally despatched Hundermark's first ball to the boundary.
First team manager, Jeff Salt was delighted with the performance. "It was an excellent victory from an understrength side and was great reward for the excellent spirit shown by the boys". Brentwood travel to Leigh-on-Sea this Saturday looking to further open the gap between themselves and third place.
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16th August
Brentwood v Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh-on-Sea 1st XI - 209-9 declared
Brentwood 1st XI - 210-7
Brentwood won by 3 wickets
Brentwood first team eased themselves a step closer to the first division with an imperious display at Chalkwell Park on Saturday. After Brentwood won the toss a low scoring game was expected with a green pitch looking like aiding the bowlers. However it did not work out that way as two superb innings dominated the game.
With Leigh asked to bat first the opening bowlers passed the outside edge on a regular basis and Captain Richard Whitehall having dropped a simple chance off of Joe Fryd made up for it by taking a low one in the gully. Following a short spell from Ian Moore, Ian Belchamber was then introduced to the attack and the left arm spinner had the Leigh batsmen in lots of trouble and took an early wicket. This brought Waller to the crease who had clearly decided to attack the bowling.
Waller hit four sixes in a very powerful 88 runs scoring heavily off Belchamber, launching him over the pavilion on two occasions. He single handedly guided his team past the 200 mark before being caught and bowled by captain Whitehall who picked up 3 wickets for 36 runs in his two spells.
Brentwood therefore required 210 to win but they got off to the worst possible start when Jon Walford was out emphatically bowled by Giles for a mere 8 runs. Tony Jones was brilliantly run out and Richard Walford then followed after being caught in the slips off of a rising ball.
Shane Surujbally then joined opener Paul Larner, who was by now playing some majestic drives, at the crease. The pair ripped into the Leigh on Sea bowling attack putting on a superb 86 run partnership. Larner played shots to all parts of the ground in a first class knock of 85 which was at a run a ball as was Surujbally's 49 but four of his shots went out of the ground!
The pair took Brentwood to within touching distance of victory but it was left to wicket keeper Ben Cocklin to hit the winning runs including two sixes in his 26 not out. Brentwood won with five balls to go and maintain their 26 point lead over third place. St Martin's school PE Teacher Larner said "With only three games to go it's in our hands and we've got to keep working hard for each of the 28 points that we require for promotion".
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17th August
Shepherd Neame Essex League Cup Semi Final
Brentwood v Gidea Park & Romford
Brentwood - 178 all out
Gidea Park & Romford - 180-6
Gidea Park & Romford won by 4 wickets
Brentwood hosted Gidea Park for the semi final of the League Cup on Sunday looking for another upset to go with previous victories over teams from higher divisions. Captain Richard Whitehall won the toss and decided to bat.
Jon Walford then sent the new ball crashing to all parts of the ground before he lost in form St Martin's school PE Teacher Paul Larner for 10. Russell Collard was introduced to the attack to stem the flow of runs and he produced a brilliant bowling spell taking the wicket of Walford (30) in his 9 overs which earned him 3 wickets for just 14 runs. The 'Park bowlers were bowling tightly and runs were not easy to come by, however they were bowling them very slowly which was later to provide the only controversy in an entertaining game.
Tony Jones was providing the backbone of the Brentwood innings scoring a cleverly built up 57 before becoming one of Mel Hussain's three victims. Shane Surujbally contributed a quick 20 and the Brentwood innings ended on 178 runs when Belchamber was bowled off of the last ball. Park had taken over three hours to bowl their 45 overs, which was fifteen minutes over their allotted time, although controversially no overs were deducted from their chase.
Park started their innings well with Hussain leading the way with a well constructed 38 before being clean bowled by Belchamber in a superb and unlucky spell of 9 overs 1 for 24.
Churchill scored a sturdily built 50 to ease his side to within sight of victory but his smart stumping by Reilly, whose excellent keeping may get him a first team call up for league fixtures, off of the bowling of Keith Burgess started a Brentwood revival. They upped their game and Park got the jitters. A run out by Larner followed by a brilliant one handed catch from his St Martin's school sixth form pupil Reilly put the pressure on the park batsmen.
However Russell Collard, the scourge of the Brentwood batsmen, had the same effect on the bowlers as his crucial 29 not out took his team to victory in the 44th over. Despite the visitors looking under pressure as the light faded, Gidea Park's greater experience eventually saw them home to a deserved victory.
Brentwood can however take lots of credit from a cup run which accounted for the top teams in Division 1 and the Premier league but could not quite account for the best team in the county.
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23rd August
Brentwood v Ardleigh Green
Ardleigh Green 1st XI - 256-5
Brentwood 1st XI - 219-7
Match drawn
An uncharacteristically poor display in the field by Brentwood led to the home side managing a mere six points, allowing the gap to close to 14 points between themselves and Billericay in second. However, comfort can be made as promotion is still in their own hands, and it is now theirs to lose.
The wicket was a strange one to Brentwood captain Richard Whitehall, as it had only just been watered the morning of the game, and this meant he was unsure of what to do at the toss. In the end it was irrelevant as Ardleigh skipper Roy Smith won the toss and elected to bat.
Whitehall and Joe Fryd opened and both produced a good opening spell that tied the batsmen down and with Fryd taking a wicket, Brentwood were on top. However this soon changed as sloppy fielding and undisciplined bowling allowed Ardleigh Green back into the game. Once Richard Walford had been introduced and taken the wicket of the other opener, Smith and overseas player Misbah Uddin set about attacking the wayward bowling with Smith being particularly relentless in his attack. Joe Fryd was introduced into the attack for the last eight overs and managed to pick up three more crucial wickets to finish with his best haul of the season, making up for some unlucky spells in the past few weeks. Walford was unlucky to finish with just one wicket from his 18 overs. Smith was eventually bowled by Fryd for 126.
The Brentwood reply started poorly as in form Paul Larner tried to cut one too close to his body and nicked one behind. Neither Tony Jones nor Richard Walford managed to really get going, and the score only started to accelerate once Shane Surujbally joined Jon Walford at the wicket. The Ardleigh Green bowling was far tighter than Brentwood's, with Uddin particularly tying down the batsmen. Once Surujbally and Walford had gone, the latter making 71 in good time, it was left to lower middle order batsmen Whitehall and Ben Cocklin to secure the extra batting points. Just as Whitehall was considering a last gasp attempt to win the game requiring 60 off the last 5 overs, he was needlessly run out by Cocklin. However it was he who manged to tip the score over the 200 mark, and those extra points may be vital in the weeks ahead.
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30th August
Brentwood v Old Southendians
Old Southendians 1st XI - 160 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 161-9
Brentwood won by 1 wicket
The roller coaster that is the Brentwood 1st XI continued its journey on Saturday with a one wicket victory over their Nemisis Old Southendians who had Brentwood staring into Oblivion at more than one stage.
Before the start of play Brentwood knew that they required 22 points from their remaining two games, but considered victory over rock bottom Old Southendians vital. Captain Richard Whitehall, despite missing three in form batsmen Shane Surujbally, Matt Westwood and Jon Walford, was very happy when he was put into the field at the toss. He must also have been delighted with the bowling of Joe Fryd, who despite constantly beating the bat bowled another fruitless opening spell. In conjunction with Whitehall, Fryd managed to tie opening batsmen James and Dodson in all kinds of knots, and the score pottered slowly to 20 off 13 overs before the inevitable introduction of spin. Paul Sutherland, despite not bowling for a month, immediately found his spot, and with variations in flight and guile managed to confound the batsmen yet further. It wasn't until the 20th over and the introduction of left arm spinner Ian Belchamber, however, that the first wicket was found, putting James out of his misery having amounted just 2 runs in that time. Belchamber picked up the next two wickets in two balls, and with Sutherland starting to find the wickets too, Old Southendians were suddenly in trouble at 73-7. At this point Brentwood were looking to wrap things up, however sensible batting by Johnstone and Briggs started to put a partnership together. While there were certain elements of luck in the partnership, it was, in fairness, chanceless. When the declaration did not come after the 52 overs, opening bowlers Whitehall and Fryd were reintroduced into the attack, and eventually the partnership was broken by the deserving Fryd when he removed Dennis for 36. However the runs still came from the tail to take the score up to 160 before Whitehall finally had Johnstone caught at backward point for 29. Sutherland finished with the amazing figures of 20-10-34-3, while Belchamber collected four wickets for 63. On another day Fryd would have got more than his two, and Whitehall his one.
Brentwood started their reply with the opening partnership of Paul Larner and debutant David Smith, and it was Smith who started the ball rolling with a four from his very first ball in first team cricket. However, Larner soon fell to Briggs and Steve Taylor, despite starting well fell leg before to Dennis. Smith was then unfortunate to fall leg before for a well earnt 20. Sutherland, promoted from his usual number 7 position started well before playing too early at the seemingly tame Naylor and getting a leading edge. Tony Jones and Whitehall quickly went onto the attack. Jones also fell to Naylor after taking 12 off his over, and then Richard Walford followed, again playing too early. However, Ben Rocklin was being his usual reliable self, digging the Brentwood side once more out of the mire, and just as Brentwood looked on top, Whitehall was out to the reliable off spin of Slaughter for 35. With the score on 144-9, Brentwood looked down and out. However Fryd, who's batting style has in the past been compared to that of Andrew Flintoff showed what a valuable number eleven he is with a quick fire 11 not out, including an outrageous square cut over mid off to win the game. Rocklin was 10 not out. Whilst Fryd takes the plaudits as the hero it would not have been possible had it not been for Rocklin's stonewall effort at the other end.
Brentwood now require just 4 points from their final game against third placed Billericay to claim the second promotion place.
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6th September
Brentwood v Billericay
Brentwood 1st XI - 169-7
Billericay 1st XI - 154 all out
Brentwood won by 15 runs
Brentwood finished off their season in style with a 15 run defeat of local rivals and fourth placed finishers Billericay. It meant they ended up clear of third place by some 29 points, but at times their quest for the coveted four points required at the start of play looked nervous to say the least.
Captain Richard Whitehall succeeded with his most important job of the day, by winning the toss, so that his Brentwood side required just 150 runs. It got off to a good start as Paul Larner and Jon Walford laid some foundations. Things were looking rosy with the score at 73-1 and Walford going well. In fact he had scored 68 of those 73 when he fell for the oldest trick in the book by pulling one straight down the throat of deep backward square leg the ball after he was placed there.
At this stage Brentwood were still remarkably well placed, but a combination of tight bowling and nervous batting meant the run rate slowed considerably. Tony Jones, who has weighed in with some very crucial runs towards the end of the season made 21 before trying to hit John Batson, playing in his last game before retirement, over the top and was eventually caught. It was left to Whitehall to put an end to the nerves with some terrific mid wicket drives that brought the home side close to their 150 run target, and it was left to former Billericay player Richard Walford to hit the crucial runs through third man, which guaranteed promotion and brought a sigh of relief to all concerned.
The batsmen were then freed from their shackles and the score suddenly accelerated. Walford was then out for 27 attempting one too many expansive shots, and with Ben Cocklin freakishly injuring his calf, Whitehall opted for a declaration after just 43 overs.
Whitehall opted for his normally reliable spin duo of Paul Sutherland and Ian Belchamber. Sutherland was unusually off form, but still picked up three wickets, while Belchamber was bowling superbly without much luck. Whitehall then took the new ball with Joe Fryd, the latter picking up his only wicket with a slip catch of the highest quality by Belchamber, and Richard Walford also managed to pick up a couple of wickets to finish with 2-17. It was left to Belchamber and Sutherland to finish the game off. Sutherland managed another three, to claim wonderful figures of 6 for 38 from 13.2 overs and take his seasons tally to an incredible 63 in just 15 games.
Director of Cricket at Brentwood, Jeff Salt was justifiably delighted with the performance of the whole squad over the season. "While obviously Jon Walford and Paul Sutherland will get most of the plaudits from this season, everybody who has played for the team has played their part. If it wasn't for some of the knocks from the some of the lesser batsmen, I am sure we may not have gone up." Brentwood now look forward to first division cricket next season.
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