It was an all too familiar depressing scene at Marigolds on Saturday as Harlow’s batting failed to match their collective effort in the field. After a superb run of performances and results, lasting the best part of two months, it arguably makes their inability to get close to chasing down a highly reachable target of 219 all the more frustrating. It was a result that saw them lose ground on the two sides above them and leaves much to do to recover the situation.

Harlow lost the toss and found themselves in the field but that would have been the home sides preferred option in any event.

Belhus made a positive start reaching 61 before Jack Fuller removed opener Everett for 24. With talented keeper batsman Lewis Blake in good form for the visitors Belhus looked very well set at 148-3 before Harlow struck back.

Whilst all the bowlers performed well, receiving good back up in the field, it was seamers Joe Riddell and Jack Fuller who placed a vice like grip on proceedings. Riddell once again caused major discomfort to the batters ending with 4-50 whilst Fuller bowled a perfect line and length to take 2-16 going at just 2 runs an over. With good support from the spinners Harlow bundled Belhus out in the final over of their innings for 218. A highly satisfactory first half to the contest from the home sides perspective.

Riddell 4-50, Umar Raza 0-21, Messenger 1-47, Fuller 2-18, Yeats 1-36 and Whitworth 1-40

What wasn’t in the Harlow script was a catastrophic run out that saw their and the divisions leading run scorer dismissed for just 5. Probably for the best if the author leaves any further description of the incident for private consideration!

Losing one key batsman was careless to lose the other as well cheaply placed Harlow in the mire as Whitworth was pinned leg before on the back foot for 7.

Further wickets tumbled leaving the home side struggling badly at 43-4 until a partnership of quality between Gull Hassan (43) and Alfie Jessey (35). Just as it looked as if Harlow were well set to recover to the win at 121-4 needing less than 5 an over they lost both in the same over.

The double blow led to a clatter of wickets and in a hopeless position the last pair of Riddell and Messenger decided to saw those before how to accumulate runs at better than run a ball with minimal risk. The partnership had passed 50 and was beginning to cause serious concern to Belhus when Messenger was adjudged leg before for an entertaining 35 leaving Riddell stranded on 16 not out.

A disappointing 31 run defeat for Harlow who urgently need to redress the situation next week with a win at bottom side Standford le Hope.