Brentwood Sport
Weald surprise league leaders
10:52am Thursday 29th July 2010
South Weald notched a magnificent victory on Saturday as they defeated league leaders Great Baddow at the Baddow Recreation Ground.
Yet another sunny day and fast outfield looked like providing a high-scoring game and Weald chose to bat first after winning the toss.
The Weald innings got off to a flyer at 57-1 after eight overs, as Joe Courts (35) once again took the attack to the opposition, but Wilson and Smith slowed the rate as Weald’s next 57 runs took 20 overs. However, Darren Hunt (39) and Michael Davey (70) were sensibly building a 115-run partnership and when they were both eventually dislodged, Weald had wickets in hand to attack. Michael Haddock (22 n.o.) and Ajaz Naeem (29) did this expertly as Weald raced up to 241-6 after their 45 overs.
In response, Weald kept a lid on the Baddow run rate right from the off, meaning at the halfway point Baddow had posted just 87-2.
Baddow skipper Dave Ellmore was still there with him at the crease though so Baddow had a chance, but he was dislodged for 75 and with 10 overs left Baddow needed 97 to win. Hyde (65) then started hammering boundaries, but he was caught on the boundary by John Warne, leaving Joe Pummell to mop up the tail to secure Weald an excellent victory.
In a fantastic all-round bowling performance, Pummell was the pick of the bowlers as he took 5-61 from 11 overs.
Weald still face a tough task to avoid relegation and this week promotion hopefuls Herongate are the visitors to Sandpit Lane.