Sheikh takes 7 as Clacton keep on the pressure

Clacton were asked to bat on a boiling hot day at Lakenheath. Sheikh and Facey put on another 50 partnership at the top of the order before Facey was caught at mid-off for 17. Sheikh and Chamberlain went soon after to leave the visitors 73-3. Asghar and Turner steadied the ship adding 26 for the 4th wicket, when Asghar was adjudged LBW to Rodic. Once Turner was dismissed, Kirk and Athukoralage put on 28 to push Clacton towards 150. There were starts all the way down, but the 8th wicket pair of Pitts and Lee added 43 in 8 overs as Clacton headed for 200. However it wasn’t to be as they both fell to T. Milner before a run out saw the end to Clacton innings on 199. T. Milner finished with 4-56 and Rodic 3-50 being Lakenheath’s most successful bowlers.

Pitts and Kirk too the new ball for Clacton and applied good pressure early on, creating several false strokes from both batsmen. The seasiders were made to wait until the 14th over for their 1st wicket when Kirk trapped Gammon LBW. Athukoralage entered the attack but was unlucky not to pick up a wicket in his spell of 7 overs for 22. Facey turned to the spin of Sheikh, who promptly set about demolishing the Lakenheath batting line up. First he dismissed Pallant and Reeve before he tempted Palmer out of his crease with the score on 108-4, giving wicketkeeper Lee his 50th 1st team dismissal. Kirk returned and had both Flack and Horrex caught behind in successive overs before Sheikh ripped through the tail. M. Milner and T. Milner were dismissed in successive deliveries and Rodic was eventually out to a smart catch at slip to leave Sheikh with outstanding figures of 7-27 to go with his 30 while batting. Clacton came out 46 run winners, keeping the pressure on the teams above, setting up a 2nd plays 3rd clash next week v Elmstead at Vista Road, 1pm start.