CLACTON v MILDENHALL II

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two

(Clacton won by five wickets)

BRAD Turner starred with bat and ball as Clacton registered their second win of the season, at home to Mildenhall.

They lost the toss and bowled first on a brilliant, sunny day at Vista Road.

After a promising debut last week, Ashan Athukoralage and new-ball partner Ryan Chamberlain struggled in the opening overs on what looked a very good batting surface.

Ryan Clark and Tom Heywood punished any wayward bowling, putting on 75 in the first 15 overs before Heywood nicked behind off Turner.

The spin of Imran Sheikh was introduced, paying dividends when he had both Steve Graham and Andrew Squire caught and bowled.

Turner then had Taha Ahmed caught behind and Sheikh bowled Luke Turner to put Clacton back in the game.

Jack Loveday and Clark added 70 to push Mildenhall over 200 towards a highly-competitive total.

However, both fell in consecutive deliveries, giving Turner four wickets for the day.

Mildenhall finished on 248, leaving the game in the balance.

Sheikh and Scott Facey got Clacton’s chase off to a flyer, as they did most of last season.

Sheikh, who has struggled for runs in the opening games, made 40 from 34 deliveries and Facey 35 from 17.

The opening stand of 65 was broken when Facey picked out mid-on, off the bowling of Matt Heywood.

Sheikh soon followed and when Chamberlain was caught at first slip the game was delicately poised, with Clacton 98 for three.

Turner and Athukoralage put on 103 to steady the ship, Turner hitting ten fours and two sixes in his 55-ball 77.

He was well supported by Athukoralage, who made 40 (five fours and one six).

However, neither were able to see it through to the finish.

Some lusty hitting by both Bradley Pitts and Billy King saw Clacton win by five wickets, with five overs to spare.

On Saturday, Clacton travel to Long Melford (1pm start).