Benfleet178-8dec

Buckhurst Hill198-8

Essex League Division ThreeAT THE halfway stage of the season Buckhurst Hill still find themselves on top spot of Division Three, although they made hard work of beating Benfleet on Saturday.

Chasing a modest 178 on a damp Benfleet wicket, the Hill were reeling at 95-7 and it took a 60-run partnership between experienced Adam Parry (37) and Andy Russell (37 n/o) to bring Buckhurst Hill back into contention, and when the tiring Parry was out lbw, 25 runs were still needed.

Jan Hobot, in his first bat of the season. kept a steady head with a precious seven, and the Hill crept home by two wickets.

With six wickets for the home side, Edwards destroyed the top order with his tempting offerings. With a brisk 36, Ian Russell was the other main contributor for the Hill.

Earlier in the day Mark Wilson's bowling spell of 3-28 made vital breakthroughs and with the score at 21-3 the Hill thought they may be having a half day, but Benfleet's Aley (56) and Prophet (34) put on 80 for the fourth wicket to steady the ship.

Paul Kirby bowled delightfully with great control to record figures of 17-2-45-2.

With five teams all in contention for the two promotion places, Buckhurst Hill will have to perform even better in the second half of the season to earn promotion.

July 11, 2002 11:30