Brentwood 1st XI 182

Belhus 1st XI 130

Saturday 10th July, reigning Essex Premier League Champions were the visitors to North Stifford ground of Belhus CC.

Brentwood CC batted first and soon found themselves in serious trouble as they disintegrated to 32-8. A spirited recovery took them to 75-9 and an early finish looked highly likely. However, Guy Balmford (100) and No. 11 Charlie Griffiths (45*) had other ideas as the visitors carved a magnificent 10th wicket partnership of 107 to steer Brentwood to a very respectable 182 all out.

Danny Norris was the star of the Belhus 1st XI bowlers in capturing 5 for 41 from 14.3 well-controlled overs. And in his first season with the Club, Sahan Nanayakkara took a hat trick (lbw, bowled, bowled).

In reply, Belhus CC roared away to an impressive start with Md Aminul Islam Shihan and Danny Joyce producing an opening partnership of 77 to put Belhus in a commanding, winning position. But then a disastrous collapse saw our 1st XI lose 6 wickets for just 6 runs to slide to 83-6 and they eventually capitulated at 130 all out. Australian, Chris Green did the damage for Brentwood with 5 for 20 from 18.3 overs to crown a miraculous 52-runs victory.

Of the 20 wickets to fall, 11 batsmen were clean-bowled and 4 were lbw.

For Belhus CC 1st XI, a match they will want to forget. For Brentwood, a match that might well go down in their record books as one of their most memorable victories.