? 1st XI vs East Hanningfield & Great Burstead CC
Result: ✅ Won by 31 Runs
Venue: Southchurch Park
Points Earned: 25

Southend-on-Sea & EMT CC 1st XI won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive 210 for 9 in 45 overs. The innings was anchored by Dean Waller, who smashed a brisk 41 from just 38 balls, striking 4 boundaries and 3 sixes. He was well supported by Matt Mohan (32 off 50) and Chris Maher (31 off 69), who steadied the innings during the middle overs. Despite a few quick wickets, contributions from the lower order ensured the team reached a defendable total.

With the ball, Southend turned the game decisively in their favour. Matt Mohan produced a stunning spell of 9 overs, 2 maidens, 31 runs, and 5 wickets, dismantling the East Hanningfield middle order. Adam Hunt also delivered an economical performance with 3 maidens and 2 wickets for just 15 runs. Though East Hanningfield made a decent effort, they were bowled out for 179 in 37.5 overs, falling short by 31 runs.

? 2nd XI vs Ilford Catholic CC
Result: ✅ Won by 32 Runs
Venue: Queen Elizabeth II Field
Points Earned: 24

The 2nd XI also opted to bat after winning the toss and posted a solid 208 for 8. The star of the innings was Suhail Haji, who played a magnificent knock of 92 off 104 balls, including 14 boundaries and a six. He held the innings together after early wickets and kept the scoreboard ticking. Support came from Darshan Patil (33 off 43), while others chipped in around him.

Defending the total, Southend’s bowlers combined beautifully. Chris Chambers was particularly effective with figures of 9 overs, 4 maidens, 17 runs, and 2 wickets, putting a stranglehold on the run rate. Chris Hunt also bowled a miserly spell, taking 1 wicket for just 18 runs from 8 overs. The opposition finished on 176 for 9, never really threatening the target. It was a disciplined all-round bowling effort that ensured victory.

? 3rd XI vs Chignal CC
Result: ❌ Lost by 8 Wickets
Venue: Chignal Cricket Ground
Points Earned: 3

This was a tough outing for the 3rd XI. Batting first, they were bowled out for 146 in just 38.3 overs. Glen Norfolk was the standout with a fluent 47, while Murray Blamey (22) and Mark Howard (15) offered brief resistance. However, wickets fell too frequently and the side failed to post a bigger total, largely due to five batters being dismissed for 0.

Chignal made light work of the chase, cruising to 147 for 2 in only 17 overs. Southend’s bowling lacked penetration, though Shaleem Ejaz and Jacob Guyler managed to pick up a wicket each. The bowlers were expensive, and the lack of early breakthroughs meant Chignal won comfortably with 8 wickets and 28 overs to spare.

? 4th XI vs Hutton CC
Result: ✅ Won by 32 Runs
Venue: Southchurch Park
Points Earned: 24

Batting first, the 4th XI put on a strong display with 207 for 8 from 40 overs. John Mitchell led the way with a classy 60, while Jon Gilmore (56) added valuable runs in the middle. Andrew Iwanoczko retired on 54, showing calmness and control to guide the innings. The top order gave Southend a solid base, and they capitalised with consistent scoring throughout.

With the ball, the 4th XI put in a complete team effort. Nancy Mitchell was excellent, taking 2 wickets for 30 runs in her 8 overs, while Dean Johnson also picked up 2 wickets for 35. Toby Mitchell kept things tight with 8 overs for 24 and 1 wicket, restricting Hutton’s chase effectively. Hutton closed on 175 for 7, never quite getting into a winning position. Southend defended well and held their nerve in the closing stages.

by ChatGPT 4o