A RETURN to form for Chelmsford's first team was the main highlight of the weekend, with an emphatic win over Chingford.

The second team also won against the same opposition while the fourth team beat Upminster, although there were poor defeats for the third team and fifth team against Upminster and Billericay respectively.

Jack Sterland and James Clifford were the first team stars n their victory over Chingford. Coming together at 105-3, they advanced the score to 285 before Clifford departed for 86. Sterland went on to hit an unbeaten 101 before the declaration at 301-4.

Chingford folded for 94 in reply, with four wickets for Karamat Ali and three for Clifford and Sam Cook.

The second team won comfortably against Chingford. Stuart Everard bowled splendidly to take five for 25, the first five wickets to fall, as Chingford batted first.

Sheraz Shahid also took four wickets as Chingford were restricted to 148. There were several contributors but no fifties as the target was chased down for the loss of three wickets.

A farcical start to the third team game left them struggling when the team’s number five found himself going in just two balls after the team having been no wickets down.

That number five was Sam Trowell whose 63 was the main reason that the team managed to limp to 119. In spite of an excellent spell from Harry Arnold, who took five wickets, that total could not be defended with Upminster victorious by three wickets.

The fourth team won a tight contest against Upminster. Callum Rudd, Faisal Fayyaz and Anis Rahman all took three wickets as Upminster totalled 158-9. Skipper Phil Arnold’s 57 not out was instrumental in chasing this target down for the loss of eight wickets, with Dave Goddard (35) also contributing usefully.

The fifth team had a day to forget at home to Billericay. They found themselves 28-6 off 10, and from there managed to make 66 all out with Matt Cole (27) and Alex Bailey (12) being the only players to make double figures.

Although there was some tight bowling in Billericay’s response that total was always going to be difficult to defend and so it proved as Billericay were victorious by seven wickets.

The sole adult match on Sunday was the second annual memorial match in honour of John Newman. Chelmsford made 264-5 with Rob Hayto, Liam Keaney, Lee Cranmer and David Thrift all making fifties.

Abridge made 207-8 in reply to this total with the wickets being shared around. Next year the match will be staged at Abridge.

There was a victory for the under-15s versus Coggeshall. Matt Cook excelled, making 55 in Chelmsford’s total of 129.

Coggeshall replied with 80 all out, Billy Brunger and James Boyden taking two wickets apiece.