Haverhill make hay in the rain to move into the top two

MARSHALL HATCHICK TWO COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP

DIVISION TWO

Haverhill 174-4 beat Kelvedon & Feering 172 by six wickets

A first half century of the season for Anthony Phillips helped Haverhill cruise to a six wicket win and in the process move to second in the table.

With rain in the air the match was reduced to 36 overs a side and Haverhill skipper Joe Woodley (10-2-34-3) wasted no time in removing Tim Smith, caught behind for nought and went on to also claim the wickets of Pat Ahearn (21) and Oli Parsons (29).

Off spinner Callum Brunning picked up 4-31 in his nine overs and but for dropping a return catch would have had his first five wicket haul of the division two season.

Dan Pass picked up the wicket of Alex Parsons (32) and Ben Wilkins came on to remove the final two batsman to leave Kelvedon all out in the final over.

Heavy rain then led to a long delay between innings, leaving Haverhill intent on an attacking style in order to beat the rain that threatened to return.

Although Dan Pass cut a long hop to point to be dismissed first ball, Sam Powell (48) rode his luck in a vital partnership with Phillips before holing out.

Adam Dellar (10) and Dan Poole (1) fell to Ed Smith (5-0-19-2) before Russell Davis came in at 100-4 and took the game away from the visitors with an aggressive 36no, accompanied by an in-form Phillips who ended up unbeaten on 63 as the hosts got home with 11 overs in hand.

With second-placed Braintree’s game having to be abandoned the 20 points gained by Haverhill for the victory saw them climb above their Essex rivals into the top two for the first time this season.

They next play away at Dunmow on Saturday.