Walthamstow 149-a/o
Leigh-on-Sea 70-a/o
(Division Two)

DESPITE another poor showing with the bat, Walthamstow put themselves firmly in the promotion frame thanks to prolific bowlers Greg Harris and Andy Fernandes.

The pair have now skittled out 105 victims between them, after skipper Harris picked off another seven sorry batsman, while partner in crime Fernandes had to settle for just three at the weekend.

And with the E17 boys managing paltry 149 with the willow, they certainly need the pair to step up to the plate and rescue proceedings, not for the first time this season.

Opener Ashley Leat had looked to be finding a bit of form with the bat, but with wickets falling rapidly at the other end, he lost concentration and went for 38.

But that proved to be good enough to make him Stow’s top scorer on the day, as Yasir Ahmed (14), Joe Mariani (27) and Richard Baughen (23) were the only others to make double figures.

But Harris (7-17) from his 12.4 overs and Fernandes (3-42) once again delivered, as they left the Leigh batsman all at Sea.

That made it seven straight wins and ten games unbeaten for Stow, who went above Fives in the table ahead of their winner-takes-all showdown on Saturday.

And with the gap between them and leaders Loughton now just four points, the E17 men also have every chance of nicking the title as well.

Reflecting on events skipper Harris said: “It was another great victory on Saturday, and while we didn’t bat that well again we are so confident of bowling teams out at the minute.

“Of course me and Andy are getting the headlines, but this is a team game and we need people like our wicketkeeper Richard Baughen to chip in.

“Also just as important on Saturday was the 50 runs Richard and Joe Mariani put on at six and eight because before that we were 90-7.

“There is also certainly all to play for now, and we go into our cup final with Fives knowing that a win will take us up and even still win us the title if Loughton slip up.”