Having been invited to bat, Shenfield produced a strong all-round display with the bat, despite Harlow striking regularly in the middle overs. Their innings was built around key partnerships and aggressive stroke play at the start of the game.

Joe Massie (68) provided a blistering start at the top order smashing boundaries at will before falling to Amir Farooq. Johnny Pilgrim (54) and Joey Newbould (53)* provided stability and acceleration in the final 10 overs, ensuring Shenfield pushed beyond 250. Useful contributions also came from Ronnie Jackson (29) and skipper Jake Sedgley (22).

Harlow’s bowlers worked hard, with standout spells from:

Amir Farooq (3/38 from 9 overs) – accurate and effective with two maidens. Soulat Ali (3/48 from 7 overs) – removed key middle-order batters. Waheed Azam (2/27 from 8 overs) – bowled with great control.

Despite these efforts, Shenfield’s depth ensured they were bowled out for a competitive 279 in 44.4 overs, aided by 29 extras.

Second Innings:

Chasing 280 was always going to be a stiff target, and Harlow needed strong partnerships to get close. Unfortunately, early wickets and a steady fall of batters left them with too much to do.

The top order struggled, with Rizwan Qayyum (8), Dipendra Basnet (14), and Waleed Ahmed (10) all falling cheaply. Ben Terrington (27) tried to settle things but couldn’t convert his start. Middle-order contributions came from Waheed Azam (19) and Soulat Ali (13), but both fell when well set.

The innings was kept alive by a superb counter-attacking knock from skipper Amir Farooq (61) smashing the ball all around the park, who played with authority under pressure. He was supported briefly by Harris Hamid (16). However, with wickets tumbling at the other end, the chase fell short.

Extras played a huge role keeping Harlow in the game. But in the end, Harlow were bowled out for 238 in 44.5 overs, 41 runs adrift.

Shenfield’s bowling was spearheaded by:

Ollie Clarke (3/27 from 9 overs) – the pick of the attack with key breakthroughs. Johnny Pilgrim (2/42 from 9) and Joey Newbould (2/45 from 9) provided crucial support. Ronnie Jackson (1/40) and Joe Massie (1/21) chipped in to finish the job.

It was an entertaining, high-scoring clash with both sides battling hard. Harlow will rue their inability to stitch together big partnerships in response and the costly extras conceded while bowling. If we put the game in sections, Harlow lost complete control in the first and last 10 overs of the first innings. They could easily restrict Shenfield below 200. Shenfield, meanwhile, were clinical enough with bat and ball to secure a deserved victory. For Harlow, promotion hopes now rest on winning their final three matches, a challenge that will demand consistency and sharper execution in the decisive moments.

3rd team match report:

Harlow faced against Hornchurch for the first time this season as our previous game was abandoned due to rain!! It was also the return of the overs format much to the happiness of everyone in the team!! Harlow won the toss and bowled first and we got off to a good start with Bilal picking up 2 early wickets in the first 10 overs. After that we honestly bowled really well without getting a breakthrough, we passed the outside edge on multiple occasions and when we did find the edge it flew for four!! With 10 overs left Hornchurch were 200-3 looking like posting a very high score until we finally got our reward for our hard work when Irfan picked up 4 wickets and Bilal picking up another 2 to also take 4 wickets. Faz also picked up a wicket as well and Hornchurch scored 241 in 45 overs.

I Shoukat 4/25, B Javed 4/43, F Javed 1/30, M Yameen 0/57, T Dobson 0/59

Our reply to the score got off to a great start scoring 70 without losing a wicket in the first 10 overs. Arshad got out but batted well again for his 32 then Eliot came in scoring four boundaries in his first 10 balls. Eliot then got out for 49 but again batted really well and in came Mashood who also got off to a quick start. Atif and Mashood then built a good partnership and then Atif scored his first 100 of the season as we were getting closer to the target. Atif scored 106 not out off 112 balls again who batted really well. Mashood finished on 32 not out and we chased down 241 without losing 5 overs to spare only losing 2 wickets. A great effort from everyone and well done again to Atif for scoring a 100!!

A Mustehsan 106*, E Koopowitz 49, M Iqbal 32*, A Muhammed 32

4th XI Report

Harlow won the toss and fielded first.
Bowled out for 102 in reply to the hosts total. Jon Allen (35),
Emilia Allen 2 wickets and Sam Robinson 1, being the only positives from the day.
Lost