A MAGNIFICENT win for the first team gave a boost to Chelmsford Cricket Club on a fairly mixed weekend. They chased down Wanstead’s 290 for nine with two balls to spare. The seconds were subjected to a very disappointing defeat while the thirds and fourths were held to draws. The fifth team won again.

Centuries from John Chambers and Mervyn Westfield helped Wanstead to reach 290 despite four wickets each for Mark Drain and Paul Court. Paul Jones and Nick Prowting provided solidity, but it was scintillating innings from Rob Hayto and Matt Thurston that carried Chelmsford to a memorable win.

A few missed chances looked unlikely to be costly for the seconds as they bowled Wanstead out for just 130. At 84 for two, Chelmsford seemed to be cruising before a dreadful collapse to 128 all out, Sawat (5-49) and Cade (3-24) providing the heroics for Wanstead. Craig Thompson and Imran Akhtar took three wickets apiece and Jack Sterland hit 47.

In the third team match, honours ended even with Wanstead taking most of the points after scoring 251 for six. Hussain (42) and K Singh (133) had given the innings a good start. Tom Halsey claimed three wickets. In a rain affected match, Chelmsford were left with just 38 overs to chase that score. Olly Devenish (35) and Paul Keaney (53) gave a decent foundation, but a middle order collapse put the score out of reach; Chelmsford closed at 183 for seven.

Rain played a crucial part in the fourth team’s draw at Hadleigh and Thundersley. The home side scored 210, Grigg contributing 93 and Chelmsford with just 39 overs to chase that, closed at 193 for nine, Ian Turner making 66.

A good innings of 67 from Marriott held up the fifth team against Horndon on the Hill. A good spell from Steve Bond (3-26) had Horndon struggling, but they managed to raise 186 for eight. Aggressive batting from Francis Kyan (46), Rupert Redman (31) and Peter Drain (30) made light of the loss of a couple of early wickets. Tilby took three of the five wickets to fall.

There was no mistake at Chelmer Park on Sunday with the first team winning by 6 wickets. Craig Thompson took four for 25 as Orsett were bowled out for 133. James Redman (35) and Rob Hayto (44*) played well in the chase.