Epping187-8

Stanford-le-Hope189-4

Epping lose by 6 wickets

(Essex League Division Two)

THE TEN men of Epping could not do a Brazil against division three promotion contenders Stanford and despite battling valiantly, Stanford's extra man and greater batting strength won the day.

Epping's total of 187-8 was at least 25 short of a commanding total on a good batting track and lightning-quick outfield.

Stanford openers Pete Gray (21) and Bill Poskitt (32) laid the foundations for what seemed like an easy victory but both fell in quick succession to Dave Bickley.

Bickley then went on to get the wicket of Steve Noble for 19 to leave Stanford on 85-3, but at a key period of the game Epping then put down three catches and in doing so dropped any chance of victory or even saving the game.

Stanford young guns Andy Robinson (39) and Ross Poulton (45n/o) made the most of the dropped catches to steer Stanford towards victory with plenty of overs to spare. Epping's batting effort was based around a strong partnership for the third wicket between opener Marc Webb and skipper Geoff Maynard.

Webb played carefully for his 44 while Maynard made the most of his early good fortune to hit 48. Both men needed to have gone on to post bigger scores if Epping were going to set a commanding total and when both were dismissed the tail wagged a bit but Epping fell short of the magic 200 mark.

June 27, 2002 10:30