Saffron Walden146-6

Loughton142-10

(Essex League Premier Division)AS HOME batsman Andrew Mackinlay walked took to the crease at the fall of the third wicket, it was clear that this was going to be make or break time for Loughton.

In the end that proved to be the case as his fifth wicket partnership of 74 with Ryan Sparrow secured a four-wicket victory for Saffron Walden.

That result was never a certainty though, as after the initial shock of Loughton's Gareth James dollying a catch straight back to the bowler in the first over of the visitors' innings, Syed Ali and Nick Carlier confidently took Loughton to 78-1 at roughly three an over.

However, home bowlers Steve Plumb and Tim Smith soon took to the crease and swept through the Loughton batting order, taking eight wickets between them. This left the visitors to limp to a platry total of 142 all out from 66 overs.

As the home side took to the crease, Loughton's bowlers found some early success as Andrew McGarry and Ali Kazmi left the host struggling on 5-45 off 25 overs, and hopes were suddenly raised that there could be a surprise victory on the cards.

But following a couple of costly dropped catches it was always going to be hard for Loughton to defend such a small total and the home side went on to record a convincing win.

July 11, 2002 11:30