Gidea Park & Romford Cricket Club

The opening round of the Dukes Essex League Cup saw us entertain Premier League side Loughton and in a hard fought match we emerged winners by three wickets. After the visitors raced to 100 for 2 off 15 overs of their allotted 40 overs, the spinners put on the brakes and with Sammi Zia taking a 5 fer on debut and backed by some good fielding the final total was a well below par 155 on a Gallows Corner belter of a pitch. In turn we slumped to 55 for 4 aginst some good quality bowling but an excellent and well paced stand by Baber Choudhry and Chris Collier took us within sight and we were finally seen home after 33 overs with Azim Razzaq cracking boundaries. Well done to the team and next round is Belhus at home on the 30th April, 1pm start.

In their friendly matches the 2nds and 3rds both won comfortably against their Loughton opposition and in a splendid weekend for weather all players had the chance of some valuable time in the middle. We had sufficient players for a 4th XI but were unable to find a fixture through the CCC bureau. However we have four sides with fixtures on the 30th and will field a 5th team if the numbers are there.

On Sunday 1st May we entertain strong Middlesex Premier League side Teddington in the CCC Cup first round, 1pm start, and all spectators welcome.