Wednesday 9 th June 2021
Halstead Seniors v Two Counties Over 50s
Halstead Seniors won by 3 wickets
Two Countries Over 50s 251 for 4 (Andrew Gallant 95*, Simon Sargent 41*)
Halstead Seniors 253 for 7 (David Rawlinson 75, Justin Rose 70*, Mark Johnson 48 *)
In the continuing warm (hot?) weather, and a day that was largely cloudless and breezeless,
Halstead Cricket Club welcomed the Two Counties Over 50s team, Halstead were asked to field. It
was not until late in the innings that those present managed to get the main scoreboard working,
and as a result, a small, hand-operated one was used, which meant that the scorer was enabled to
annoy all those within earshot by shouting out the score at the end of each over.
Captain Pat Patel and Phil Tompkins started competently against Colin Jones and Mark Johnson, with
Tompkins the more adventurous in an opening partnership of 52, before presenting a catch off the
latter’s bowling. Johnson then proceeded to claim another scalp next ball, bringing in Andrew
Gallant, who batted through to the end of the allotted 45 overs, ending unbeaten on 95, which
included some very aesthetically pleasing cover drives. For the last third of the innings, he was
accompanied by Simon Sargent, finishing not out on 41, and at its close the innings had realised 251
runs.
Chris Hills and Ken Greenaway each struck in the early overs when Halstead replied, but David
Rawlinson and Neale Dakin steadied the ship with a half-century partnership, and despite the later
loss of a further two cheap wickets, 70s from Rawlinson and Justin Rose, together with a not out 48
from Mark Johnson were enough to see the hosts reach their target with 4 balls to spare.
Overall a most enjoyable and close game at the picturesque Halstead ground where The Two
Counties Seniors are always made most welcome and there is always a group of enthusiastic
spectators.