Harlow Fourth XI travelled to West Essex in search of a much-needed win. After losing the toss, we were put into bat first, posting a total of 236-9 in our 40 overs,

After losing two early wickets, Elliot Koopowitz and Waleed Ahmed put on a solid 119 run partnership for the 3rd wicket. The two batters built a solid platform and punished anything that was loose on there ways to their half centuries. Waleed then fell for 65 from 58 balls before another wicket fell after that quickly.

Harlow then lost another 2 wickets to leave themselves at 189-6. Elliot then began to start accelerating to try and boost Harlow total before he was bowled for 73 off 105 balls. Some positive late hitting from Sam Robertson and the lower order boosted Harlow up to a challenging total off 236-9.

The intention was clear from the hosts that they were going to come out swinging hard to try and put the Harlow bowlers under pressure. Lawrence Forde bowled an incredibly challenging opening spell asking several questions for the batters and he picked up 3 important wickets including opener A Khan for 43 off 26 balls.

Harlow began to find some momentum and really put the pressure on West Essex when Muhammad Asim and Emilia Allen both struck twice which included a clever stumping from wicketkeeper, Oscar Syrett to leave West Essex 83-7. Harlow were heading for a comfortable victory at this stage, but J Kureshi had other plans.

Some destructive ball striking from the West Essex number 9 put the Harlow bowlers under pressure as the game began to take a turn. Daniel Knight and Dan Whellams both picked up key breakthroughs but J Kureshi was still there which was dangerous for Harlow. With 60 needed in the last 6 overs, J Kureshi was going for glory and took his side all the way to the last over. With 14 to win off the last over, Emilia Allen bowled a superb last over and eventually dismissed Kureshi for a staggering 90 off 69 balls to take Harlow over the line in dramatic fashion by 13 runs.

This game proved to be a entertaining contest and it showed how with both bat and ball, Harlow Four XI can hold their nerves in big pressure situations and it shows why we as a team can be competitive in this league.

Harlow 236-9 (40 overs)

Elliot Koopowitz 73

Waleed Ahmed 65

West Essex 223 all out (39.3 overs)

Emilia Allen 3-24 (7.3 overs)

Lawrence Forde 3-40 (8 overs)

Photo - Emilia Allen