WOOLPIT II v CLACTON

Marshall Hatchick Two

Counties Championship

division three

(Clacton won by 155 runs)

IMRAN Sheikh hit his third hundred of the season as Clacton racked up 311 against Woolpit.

The Seasiders batted first, sticking to a formula that has served them well.

Sheikh opened the innings with Mo Asghar and the pair set about building an impressive total.

Both batsmen were aggressive, bringing up their 50-partnership in the eighth over.

Sheikh reached his 50 in 52 deliveries, while Asghar made a run-a-ball half-century, taking the partnership to 137.

Asghar was then caught trying to continue the onslaught, with Bradley Turner following him back to the pavilion soon after.

Adam Wallinger hung around with Sheikh, adding 51, with the latter bringing up his 100 in just 79 deliveries.

Matt Fowler came and went, falling lbw for the second week in row, for six.

Lewis Kirk arrived at the crease and countered the two quick wickets with a 36-ball half-century, putting on 92 for the fifth wicket.

Sheikh was eventually out for 136, which included 23 boundaries off 107 balls.

Billy Occleshaw and Kirk both perished, pushing Clacton past the 300-mark, with the Seasiders hitting 44 fours and two sixes in the 45 overs.

Kirk and Turner took the new ball for Clacton as Woolpit set about chasing down the target of 312 to win.

Both bowled well early on, with the former unlucky not to have Marcus West caught in the third over, having taken the edge.

Turner removed both Hamish Fiddes and James Deeley to leave the home side struggling at 21 for two.

Kirk then trapped George Yardley lbw, backing up Turner at the other end.

With both bowlers creating pressure, Turner then had Adrian Bullett caught at mid-off before bowling Grant with the score on 48.

Johnathan Stewart joined West in the middle and the two began to try and salvage some batting points.

Some lax fielding gave West another lifeline, adding 45 with Stewart before the latter was caught at mid-off, giving young Jack Eastman a wicket.

Gale added 63 for the seventh wicket, helping to claim three batting points for the hosts.

Clacton may rue dropping two points later in the season, despite notching their seventh win of the season.