A beautiful Partnership

Earls Colne Casuals took to the field on Sunday 20^th May away to West Mersea. Colne handed two new players their debuts in Stuart Trust and David Coleman. After losing the toss againColne bowled well with Ben Mason quickly grabbing 3 wickets and Adam Page supporting from the other end.

West Mersea were 34 for 4, however a partnership of 84 saw Mersea to 138-4 before Hayns had Lockhart stumped down the leg side by a quick thinking Harry Callaghan behind the stumps for 54. Colne then took three more quick wickets, Stuart Trust bowling impressively with figures of 2-26 in his first game for many years. A special mention to our Chairman Les Abbie who bowled very tidy off breaks and was extremely unlucky not to get more than one wicket.

At this stage Mersea were 151-7 before their first team captain came to the crease and hit a bludgening 33 (dressed in cargo shorts and an England top) Mason bowled him with a looping delivery and Adam Page deservedly picked up the last wicket with the total at 215.

Colne replied in style with Taylor Nicholson one of our Colt players opening the batting with Harry Callaghan. They shared a 20 over stand of 114 runs with Taylor making a good solid 14 runs with no chances given. He played with a beautiful straight bat and maturity beyond his years, well played Taylor!

But the day belonged to Harry Callaghan who made his first century in club cricket. Starting off with a pulled six and adding further shots around the ground totalling 14 fours and a further six.

A couple of nervous moments in the nineties resulted in a few skipped hearts, but a clip through mid wicket for four brought up the hundred. The captain then retired him on 100 and a cluster of wickets then fell, but Mason saw it through to the end for the draw with 14 not out.