ON a nightmare week for selection, Chelmsford Cricket Club’s teams acquitted themselves well with five wins in eight games.

There was a gut-wrenching defeat for the first team and in five games’ time they will find out how much five runs matters to their Premier Division title hopes. After dismissing Ilford for 152 and reaching 72 without loss, an inexperienced side lacking its two elder statesmen collapsed against some good spin bowling. The lower order got them up to 148 before the last wicket fell.

Stand-in skipper Lee Cranmer made a fine unbeaten 96 for the seconds but it was 14-year-old Sean Sullivan who caught the eye with an impressive 58 on his debut. They ensured that Shenfield’s 231-9 was surpassed with some comfort. Appleton (81) was the mainstay for the home side with Mark Drain and Rob Hayto taking three wickets apiece.

Chelmer Park had a second nail-biting finish but this time Chelmsford prevailed, beating Shenfield by a single wicket. Simmons (108no) and Borman (49) had scored well as Shenfield posted 229-8, Ian Hare deserving more than three wickets. Although no single player got more than Paul Keaney’s 45, Chelmsford achieved that with Stephen Drain (28no) striking two excellent boundaries in the last over.

The fourth team bandwagon rolled on as they won by four wickets at Chingford. The home side were bowled out for 116 with Neil Raisborough excelling as usual, he and Tom Arnold took three wickets each. A strong defence was made but Andy Rycroft (69) played well as Chelmsford won by four wickets.

A young fifth team including two father and sons combinations got a terrific three-wicket win at Belhus. The Coles had a very good day, with Matt taking five wickets and Ed and dad Andy putting together the match-winning partnership. Ed also kept well. Jay Smith bowled a good spell too as Belhus were restricted to 176-9 and his brother Luke made a solid 37 at the start of the chase. Ben Turner (47) and Jack Campion (38) played well but fell in successive overs, leaving the stage clear for the Coles.

The sixth team were younger still and totally outmatched against Westcliff. A couple of adults helped themselves to big scores and ensured their younger colleagues did not get much chance as Westcliff amassed 235-2 in 35 overs. Chelmsford played out their innings to 150-3 with Fabian Bright playing well.

Sunday was President’s Day and there were impressive wins for the under-11s and under-13s in the morning and the Sunday seconds in the afternoon. But the showpiece match was not so good. Karamat Ali’s hat-trick was the highlight of the day as he closed out the MCC innings at 201. The reply started badly and although it got better, they never really threatened the target, finishing 154 all out.

Wagstaff with 49 was the top scorer on the day and also picked up three wickets. There were four in total for Karamat Ali who would have picked up some useful tips from Tom Halsey (3-18) and for MCC Joe Elllis-Grewall took four. A fine partnership between Matt Davis (95) and Jay Smith (48) formed the backbone of an impressive win for the Sunday seconds. Luke Smith (2-21) was one of three under-13s to pick up wickets as Sheering scored 212-7 from 40 overs; Greenall scoring his second successive century in this fixture. That total proved insufficient with Ed Cole scoring the winning runs for the second day this weekend.

T RIPPON MID-ESSEX LEAGUE RESULTS: Premier Division: Thurrock (137-3) bt Hatfield Peverel (133) by 7 wickets, Little Baddow (346-6) bt Burnham Sports (278) by 68 runs, Old Chelmsfordians (198-2) bt Great Baddow (196-9) by 8 wickets, Springfield (184-3) bt Goresbrook (182-8) by 7 wickets. Division 1: Ingatestone (289-9) bt Stock (231) by 57 runs. Division 4: East Hannignfield & GB (270-8) bt Lt Baddow II (218-7) by 52 runs, Willow Herbs (131-4) bt Springfield III (129) by 6 wickets, OC's II (178-6) bt Chadwell Heath (177) by 4 wickets. Division 5: Sandon Sports (133-3) bt Brookweald II (130) by 7 wickets, St Johns Billericay (114-5) bt Gt Waltham II (110) by 5 wickets, Galleywood (261-5) bt Rayne (126) by 135 runs. Division 6: Rettendon II (280-5) bt Lt Waltham II (272) by 8 runs, Writtle II (100-1) bt Ingatestone II (99) by 9 wickets, Roxwell Blues (224) bt Marconi (213-7) by 11 runs. Division 11: Great Baddow IV (204) bt Wickham II (159) by 45 runs, Little Baddow III (199) bt Goresbrook IV (172) by 27 runs. Division 12: St John's Billericay II (219-8) bt Boreham II (116) by 103 runs, Old chelmsfordians IV v Eastwood IV - walkover to OC's.