Double disappointment for Saffron Walden Cricket Club

With the end of the season looming, only the first and second teams had fixtures, but the ones lost at home to Horsford in the East Anglia Premier Division while the twos went down away to Southill Park in Bedfordshire.

Both opposition had been beaten by Walden earlier in the summer and so there was solid hope for crucial wins but neither side did enough with the bat despite good performances with the ball.

Ali Hancock of Saffron Walden Cricket Club. Picture: IAIN WALKER (Image: Iain Walker)

The firsts started well enough with a wicket for Ali Hancock (2-58) in the opening over but Horsford then went off at almost eight an over for the first 10 overs.

Things calmed down after the powerplay, Ben Spargo (2-34) taking two wickets for two runs and getting a run-out, and Horsford were four wickets down at halfway.

However, opening bat, Neil Hornbuckle was only dislodged late in and after racking up 141 runs with 18 fours and 3 sixes.

Farmer (2-43) and Harris (3-65) mopped up the tail end, ensuring valuable bowling points.

The 292 target was always going to be a challenge, but the Horsford bowlers caused maximum damage with only captain Josh Down and the persistent Harry Gallian able to get into double figures.

Down got an authoritative 20 from 20 balls while Gallian was bowled out one run short of his half-century.

The seconds also started similarly with a wicket in the first over, Cam Taylor getting it on his way to 2-34, but an early dropped chance ultimately proved costly as Southill Park opener, Amaan Hussein, went on to amass 78 runs.

Another bout of great bowling from Xander Silverwood (3-30) has cemented the youngster’s position in the team with younger brother Harry (2-11), contributing to tail-end wickets.

Henry Rodda (2-47) and a very economical spell from Noah Vintiner (1-24) completed the better part of the game for Walden.

Skipper Luke Swanston conceded: "The bowling team did a great job but batting wise, we never really got going."