Coggeshall's run of all our teams winning came to an end on Saturday when both the 2's and 3's lost on the road. The 1st XI however overcame the joint league leaders Frinton to take the outright lead in Two Counties Division 1.

Frinton on Sea are well known for their desire to get promoted into the East Anglian Premier League and their ability (??) to draw top names to their beautiful seaside club is accepted. However this also gives a big incentive to other teams to step up and take them on. Coggeshall 1st XI are a team of mostly home grown talent, (Dane and Byron excepted but they behave like Coggeshall Colts!!), and what a pleasure it was to see them come out convincing winners on Saturday. A reward for their hard work and dedication this year and the additional efforts of Coach Alan Butcher. However we are barely past the half way mark and after a week where the guys can relax a little they will be back and raring to go against Witham next weekend.

The 2nd XI travelled to Woolpit on Saturday looking to break away from the bottom half of the table but came unstuck in a shortened match. Batting first and setting a reasonable target of 178 from 36 overs, largely thanks to Darren Green's 68, Coggy 2s expected their fielding and bowling, a strength this season, to see them home. However as the weather improved Woolpit batted aggressively and took advantage of the fast outfield to get home comfortably. Coggy will want to improve in all facets of their game when they take on Little Bardfield next week.

The 6 game winning run of Bens 3rd XI came to an abrupt halt away at West Bergholt on Saturday where some steady early batting made way for a "Coggeshall collapse" in a total of 142. Never enough to seriously challenge unbeaten league leader WB who won out comfortably for the loss of just 2 wickets.

The Sunday 2s did get back to winning ways on Sunday with a convincing win away at Chapel & Wakes Colne. Setting a target of 193 they bowled out the opposition to win by 61 runs.

League cricket is now on the "back burner" as Coggeshall Cricket week takes precedence. A "Club XI" take on a "Blackwell XI" tonight in a T20 match and tomorrow Cricket Week begins in earnest with Essex 2nd XI taking on Northants 2nd XI in 3 day championship match. The Beer Festival will begin on Tuesday with local and not so local ales to suit everyones taste (still a few barrels left to sponsor so please let me know if you would like to help the club by sponsoring a barrel or half barrel!). Wednesday night we have the charity Quiz night, please come early to see some cricket and grab a table. Thursday sees a new night for CW with an "Open Mic Night" 8 slots are available for entertainers/singers etc looking for a chance to shine, although they are going fast! Friday we will see Essex 2s vs Northants 2s in a 50 over game and Cricket Week will close with a live band playing in the marquee on Friday night.

The weather is looking good, the children will be off school so why not take a stroll to your friendly neighbourhood Cricket Club and see what I keep going on (and on and on) about! I am sure you will have fun!

See you there,

David