Harlow CC First XI lost a complete run fest of a match at Marigolds on Saturday. Entertaining league champions elect, West Essex, was always likely to be a challenge with the visitors side packed with talented players with higher level experience.

Nevertheless, Harlow’s young guns stood toe to toe for long periods but were ultimately defeated in a high scoring game. Consolation for the Harlow efforts was securing maximum bonus points from the fixture and this looked a more than acceptable days work until late late drama at promotion rivals Leigh on Sea. Harlow’s only realistic challenger for the second promotion slot managed to take 5 wickets in the dying overs of their match with Woodford Green to half Harlow’s advantage by close of play to 17 points with 4 matches remaining.

Earlier in the day Harlow found themselves bowling first, on a day when they would have undoubtedly wished to be batting. They knew the visitors opening batsman Zareef was a danger and were crestfallen when a huge lbw shout was not upheld of the bowling of Umar Raza before he’d opened his run scoring account. Having survived that moment the West Essex opener launched a blistering attack on the bowling.

Such was the impact when his partner Hafeez fell for 11, bowled by Joe Riddell, Zareef had made 84 including an incredible 29 off one over.

Harlow breathed a huge sigh of relief when he too departed shortly afterwards for 91 with Umar Raza holding a catch at long off at the third attempt off the bowling of Chris Whitworth. Whitworth added two further quick wickets, including that of run machine Noman Javed for just 7, leaving Harlow very well placed with the score board on 131-4.

Alas, the depth and quality of the champions prevailed as Zain Akhtar battered superbly showing wonderful technique making 132*.

Wickets fell around Akhtar at regular intervals but the two big innings from Zareef and Akhtar had helped West Essex to a huge 312 all out.

A special mention in despatches for Joe Riddell who took 4 wickets, Chris Whitworth with 3 and youngster Jack Fuller who bowled with excellent control only going for 23 from his 6 overs.

Riddell 4-66, Raza 0-26, Messenger 0-29, Whitworth 3-63, J. Fuller 0-23, G. Jessey 0-34 and Yeats 1-61.

A tall task then for the Harlow batsmen and the scale of that fell into sharp focus from the outset as Javed and Burki delivered their opening salvos. Burki in particular by far the quickest bowler seen this season and Javed one of the cleverest.

Harlow pair, Yeats and Whitworth, had seen off the new ball and accumulating handily when the Harlow skipper was aghast to be given out leg before for 24 with a suspicion that he had hit the ball.

Centurion Akhtar then struck twice in two balls leaving Harlow rocking at 52-3 but Whitworth and Gull Hassan regrouped and played with assurance. Sadly, with the score on 116, Gull edged behind and a minute later Whitworth skied and was caught for a well made battling 63.

Knowing they needed 200 for maximum batting points Harlow could have gone into their shell and tried to eke out the runs but they took the aggressive and entertaining route. All the lower middle order and tail batted superbly with some fabulous clean striking.

Ronnie Fuller looked assured for his 19, Riddell a handy 21 and George Jessey an attacking 12. However, the fireworks were provided by Jack Fuller who blazed 33 and Umar Raza who smashed 39.

When Harlow were finally bowled out they’d amassed 256, insufficient for the win but a highly creditable effort.

Wicket taker in chief for the visitors was leading run scorer and centurion Zain Akhtar who added 5 wickets to his unbeaten 132 to record a dream performance.

Harlow left the field defeated but far from downhearted with news appearing to be positive from Leigh on Sea only for a crazy last 2 overs in which Woodford Green lost 4 wickets, three to run outs, and it became very clear that this promotion race will be going down to the wire.