Halstead topple the champs

MARSHALL HATCHICK

TWO COUNTIES

CHAMPIONSHIP

DIVISION ONE

Halstead (103-1) beat

Elmstead (100)

by nine wickets

Halstead bounced back in style as they put last seasonâ s champions Elmstead to the sword with a resounding nine-wicket win at Star Stile.

After the disappointment of the rain-preventing victory at Coggeshall the previous weekend, Halstead hosted the 2017 Division One winners, who elected to bat first after winning the toss.

In perfect batting weather, the new ball was shared by Joe Morris and Ed Clark as Elmstead raced to 16-0 in the first two overs.

The tide very quickly turned, though, as a ferocious opening spell from Clark soon got its rewards.

Clark caught and bowled Elliott Mann (0) and then had Elmstead skipper Aidan Oâ Brien (0) caught in the slip cordon by Josh Wells.

Elmsteadâ s star man Ryan Vickery had scored 117 and 83 not out in the meetings between the sides last year, but did not trouble the scorers this time round as Clark took his middle stump to leave the visitors reeling at 19-3.

Jordan Elliott (41) stood firm and the score had passed 40 before a run was scored off a bat other than Elliottâ s, as he and Dan White (10) added 35 for the fourth wicket before the former was trapped lbw by Josh King.

White was then caught behind by Chris Rayner without adding to the score to give Clark his fourth scalp.

Wells introduced himself to the attack and proceeded to take the final five wickets in an excellent spell (5-10), claiming his maiden five-wicket haul for the first team.

Elmsteadâ s total of 100 was well below par and Chris Huntington made very light work of the chase, his 81 not out coming in 61 balls and included 12 fours and a six.

The victory leaves Wellsâ side in third place in Division One, behind early pacesetters Witham and in a group of five teams separated by just three points.

l The search for Halstead IIâ s (125-8) first victory of the season in Division Four goes on after Andy Roseâ s side were beaten by seven wickets by Elmstead II (128-3).

Graham Wickes (52) made the only impression with the bat for Halstead, with Elmstead making light work of the chase to leave their opponents in the relegation zone.

l In Division Eight, the frustration goes on for Halstead III as they await their first competitive action of 2018.

Saturdayâ s scheduled clash with Copdock and Old Ipswichian III was conceded after their hosts could not raise a side.

l Halstead (197-6) made it two wins from two in NECL Division Two after beating Springfield (193-9) by a four-wicket margin.

Josh King (4-22) and Andy Charlton (3-34) took the most wickets, while Sam Hawes (53 no), Charlton (43) and Matt Cooper (35) helped complete the run chase.