Kelvedon & Feering 210-9 lost to Haverhill 211-6 by four wickets

ON A very hot day and on what looked like a lightening quick outfield skipper Rob Sullivan lost the toss and was asked to field.

The Haverhill players knew they were in for a very tough afternoon in the conditions.

Sullivan took an early wicket when opener Brice failed to cope with a short-pitched delivery.

This was the early breakthrough that Haverhill were hoping for but it was hard work for the next ten overs as the Kelvedon batsmen started to get into their stride.

A change of bowling saw youngster Sam Powell brought into the attack and although he didn't take any wickets his seven overs only cost 18 runs.

At the other end the more experienced Simon Youngs took the valuable wicket of Warner, who looked like he was on his way to a big score, and Haverhill started to peg back Kelvedon.

There was some great fielding with the highlights being Dan Poole taking two great catches and Youngs belying his advancing years with three athletic takes.

Scott Webb was introduced and his ability to deceive the batsman with a change of pace and variable turn meant he finished with five wickets for only 41 runs.

He took his wickets at regular intervals and Kelvedon were restricted to 210-9.

In reply, Neil Winter (21) and Bill Moran (30) got off to a quick start and put the Kelvedon bowlers on the back foot form the start.

Winter departed having edged a wide one to slip and Scott Webb (4) didn't last long when he was beaten by an unplayable delivery.

The in-form Adam Dellar came to the crease and he and Moran bludgeoned the opposition attack to all parts of the ground.

When Moran top-edged a short delivery this partnership came to an end but between them they had catapulted the score way ahead of the required run rate.

However, short cameos from youngsters Sam Powell (11) and Dan Poole (16) and the demise of Dellar for an exquisite 54 left Haverhill on a precarious 160-6.

With plenty of overs to get the 60 runs required Haverhill couldn't afford to lose any more wickets.

The experience of Greg Street (23no) and Simon Youngs (30no) was what was needed.

Team manager Adrian Dellar's nervous pacing of the boundary said it all but in a very sensible fashion they accumulated the necessary runs in a 50 partnership without taking too many risks and victory was secured with Youngs hitting the winning runs.