Rain frustrates Clacton (From Gazette)

Rain frustrates Clacton

10:35am Wednesday 24th June 2009 in

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Clacton's bid to get back to winning ways was ruined by the weather, as they drew at Swardeston.

The Seasiders won the toss and invited their hosts – the reigning league champions – to bat first.

Clacton had a number of players missing for this vital game so two under-17 starlets, Lewis Kirk and Conner Finney, were selected from the second XI.

Kirk, in particular, took his opportunity well, taking two wickets in his opening spell and leaving the home side struggling at 94 for three.

However, as with the past few weeks, Clacton again struggled to push home the advantage through poor fielding, dropping five catches. James Walker, Mark Thomas and Will Rist batted steadily, but the innings really picked up momentum when Jaden Hatwell (100 not out) and Peter Lambert (62) were together in a stand of 134.

Rain pushed the Swardeston skipper Mark Thomas to declare on 254 for five in the 53rd over, leaving Clacton 49 overs to get the runs they needed.

A 51-run opening partnership in ten overs set the foundation for a dramatic run-chase but, in the gloom, Martyn Cull (51) – in tremendous form – was unluckily run out at the non-striker’s end.

Two more rain showers prevented any play for over an hour, further reducing the number of overs left.

When play resumed, Clacton were given a revised total to chase.

They lost further wickets in their bid to gain the runs but, again, rain prevented more overs being bowled and they only faced 27.

During this time, they scored 141 for the loss of seven wickets.

Hatwell rounded off a fine individual day with three wickets.

HALSTEAD went down by 159 runs at home to Godmanchester.

Despite Matt Spatcher’s three for 28 from 18 overs and Simon Steel’s excellent fielding, holding on to four sharp catches, their batting let them down again as they were well beaten, being dismissed for just 103.

They had been chasing Godmanchester’s score of 262 for nine.