BICC Match Report Essex away to Yorkshire December 2011

BRITISH INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

PREMIER DIVISION

YORKSHIRE VS ESSEX

Last seasons top two teams clashed in Yorkshire and produced a high quality match the outcome of which was finally decided late on Sunday afternoon. It was Yorkshire Ladies who started the strongest on the Saturday as only Rayleigh’s Nicky Bradley (15.87) made any inroads into the scoreline for Essex.
The Mens ‘B’ match however was a much closer affair which swayed one way and then the other. Essex took the early initiative as Southend’s Paul Marsh (26.76) edged the first in the deciding leg and this was quickly followed by Colchester’s Robbie Turner (27.26) who came from 2-0 down to win and take the man of the match award. Yorkshire responded winning the next four sets in style as Essex managed just two legs along the way. However Essex dug in and started to edge their way back into the match. Riverside’s Andy Kateley (25.04) and Rayleigh Cavaliers Mick McCombe (22.16) both picked up 3-1 wins to level the scoreline at four sets apiece. It was then the turn of the old guard as Colchester’s Eddie Gosling (26.40) and Riverside’s Dave Solly (27.20) both hit maximums on the way to deciding leg victories. It was left to Rainham’s Dan Day (26.37) to secure the victory and leave Essex just two points adrift overnight.
Essex Ladies ‘A’ team took no time at all in overturning the overnight deficit. Braintree’s Carol Pinfold (19.89) picked up the first set before Rayleigh’s Donna Russell (23.86) hit a maximum and picked off a 160 checkout on the way to a Lady of the Match performance. Braintree’s Stacey Ellis (20.73) continued her unbeaten run with an impressive 3-2 win against Lakeside bound Lorraine Farlam (22.28). Rayleigh’s Sue Condon (20.31) and Braintree’s Amanda Dodd (19.92) also had good wins to reverse 5-1 thrashing of the day before, but just as importantly give Essex a two set head start going into the Mens ‘A’ match.
The quality within the Mens ‘A’ match was there for all to see as over 270 tons or more were thrown in the 12 sets. Colchester’s Jamie Robinson (27.88) continued his good start to the season in picking up a first win for Essex in the third set. However Yorkshire were in no mood to let things slip as in the next set John Walton (34.19) hit four maximums and a 121 checkout on the way to the highest average of the weekend, this all despite Brentwood’s Steve Johnson (28.89) pushing him hard.
Essex could neither match Yorkshire’s high scoring nor clinical finishing as only Rayleigh Cavaliers Shaun Walsh (27.85) could manage a further win for Essex. Yorkshire has now increased their lead at the top of the table whilst Essex drop to fifth in the table. Next up for Essex at the end of January is a home match against a strong Cheshire outfit.

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