Fives still have it all to play for despite Shenfield loss

WHILE Fives slipped off top spot and out of the promotion places following this narrow defeat, events remain firmly in their hands.

Wins for promotion rivals Loughton and Walthamstow saw them leapfrog the Paddock men in the table after this narrow nine-run defeat.

But with Terry Ballard’s men just four points behind the former and with a crunch-match to come against the latter on the final day of the season on Saturday, events could so easily turn around again.

But having come so close to snatching victory on Saturday, they know they could have put one foot into Division One and Ballard will certainly have to earn his corn by lifting his troops for the Paddock clash at the weekend.

The hosts won the toss and made a very useful 257-9 from their allotted overs, although it was only opener D Griffith with a fantastic 152 and J Walter with a useful 52 that offered any resistance to a Fives bowling attack that was led by Rahul Bhome (5-72).

Top order pair Gary Edwards (82) and Ed Buxton (35) ensured the visitors made a useful start to their chase.

In truth, though wickets fell too cheaply, with only skipper Ballard (34) really giving the home attack something to think about.

But with every other batsman, apart from the final three managing double figures there was every chance that Fives would snatch victory.

In the end, however, the tail went too cheaply against a very expensive bowling attack of R Lugg (3-104), M Hindley (2-59) and D Wright (2-45).