Harlow CC’s premier side produced another highly creditable performance on Saturday as they overcame relegation threatened Woodford Green by 8 wickets. The satisfaction of that result was amplified by news that promotion rivals, Leigh on Sea, had capitulated to a heavy defeat against mid table Frenford. The swing of fortunes saw Harlow leap the Seasiders in the league table as a 5 point deficit morphed into an 11 point advantage in the space of an afternoon.

Upon arrival at Woodford Green the visitors looked upon a grassy strip with furrowed brows but the home sages promised it would play well and so it proved. The home side won the toss and elected to bat first but it was Harlow who were on the front foot from the outset.

Harlow seamers Joe Riddell and Muhammed Umar Raza troubled the openers with Raza finding the edge of Marshall’s bat and keeper Alfie Jessey holding a straight forward chance.

Malik and Khan held firm against some tight Harlow bowling before a moment of dozy cricket led to a second Harlow break through. Spinner George Jessey, who was bowling beautifully, tempted Khan into a loose legside shot that fell directly to the hands of Jake Messenger who inexplicably spilled the opportunity. However, recovering the situation magnificently Messenger launched a throw into the stumps finding Khan short of his ground having apparently switched off watching the flight of the ball.

Green’s best two batsmen, Malik and Mansoori sought to recover but within the space of ten balls both were returned to the pavilion with minimal damage. Malik played on to a turning Jessey delivery before Jack Fuller took a sharp return catch from his own bowling to see the talented Mansoori depart for 21.

Harlow continued to take wickets through Whitworth, Messenger and Riddell with only a fine attacking 76 from Haris Khan to stem the tide as Green posted 197 all out.

Riddell 2-65, Umar Raza 1-12, G. Jessey 1-41, J. Fuller 1-18, Messenger 1-17 and Whitworth 3-30.

Harlow needed a good start to their innings to ensure a relaxed run chase and Yeats and Whitworth duly delivered adding 91 before the Harlow skipper somehow managed to play a shot marginally worse than Haris Khan’s short loopy opening delivery. With Yeats gone for 45 Whitworth and Hakimi read the game situation and played with caution to tick the scoreboard along at around 3 an over.

Whitworth miscued on 59 to leave Harlow on 132-2 but Alfie Jessey joined Zabi Hakimi at the crease and showed exactly why the 17 year old had been trusted to move up to bat at 4 in the order. The pair accelerated, scoring at a run a ball, and saw Harlow to the win with Hakimi not out 38 and Alfie Jessey undefeated on 49.

A fine 8 wicket victory with contributions from every one of the eleven players. The league table looks good today but with 7 huge games to manage there’s plenty of cricket left as Harlow seek to finally start to climb up the Essex Senior League.

Photo - Harlow enjoy their post match debrief