Ahmed hits century as Colchester hold firm (From Gazette)

Ahmed hits century as Colchester hold firm

10:19am Wednesday 29th July 2009 in

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A brilliant century by Omar Ahmed could not stop Colchester and East Essex from slipping to fourth in the premier division table.

However, their draw at Woodford Wells means they have now gone three games without defeat and they are looking a decent bet for a top half finish this season.

Julian Russell won the toss for Colchester and elected to bowl – a decision he was left to rue a few hours later when his side left the field after chasing leather time and again.

Wells were well set at 122 for 2 after Gareth Fisher and Ben Stephens took a wicket each, but debtutant Reece Topley was unable to make any headway against an experienced home line-up.

Dan Majeed and Rishabh Shah put on 121 for the third wicket, as Colchester were made to sweat in the field.

Shah was stumped by Nathan O’Brien off the bowling of Joe Austin for 42, but Majeed went on to post a century.

A late flurry of runs and sixes saw Wells reach a mammoth 333 for six off 64 overs.

Austin was the pick of the Colchester bowlers, taking 2-80 off 16 overs, while fellow spinner Joe Barnett also picked up a late scalp.

Colchester’s reply started badly when captain Russell was dismissed for three and, when O’Brien and Austin were also out for single figure scores, the visitors were 53-3.

However, opener Ahmed and Barnett put on 70 for the fourth wicket and gave Colchester’s innings the stability which was lacking at the top of the order.

Barnett went for 33 but Ahmed ploughed on.

Colchester were never in with a chance of winning, but staved off the threat of defeat, thanks to Ahmed’s fantastic display of discipline and technique, as he ended on 116 not out, including 16 fours and a six.

Colchester closed on 209 for 5 from 57 overs.

Their second team fared much better, beating Harlow at Castle Park by 135 runs.

Batting first, Colchester made a healthy 249 for four, with Simon Gilhooly dispatching 75, Sam Stockwell 31, Matthew Mehen 60 and Iain McQueen 58.

Harlow were polished off for just 114, as Rakesh Krishnan took three wickets, Malcolm Edwards two, McQueen two and Glen Bolton two.