IT WAS a clean sweep of six from six on Saturday for Chelmsford Cricket Club.

At the top and bottom there were very exciting wins secured by small margins, but in between things were routine. The single most eye-catching display was Ben Clifford’s five for 3 in the second team.

Two of last week’s first team were missing playing first-class cricket. Tom Craddock was recalled by Essex, although illness cost him a chance to bowl, and Jack Sterland made his first-class debutwith Loughborough MCCU team to play Northamptonshire.

Nick Prowting returned to form with 79 as the first team scored 216 at Colchester. Adil Dewan (57) was also in the runs. Good bowling at the death from Mark Drain (2–35) secured a three run win.

Bowler Ben Clifford destroyed Colchester’s second team. Chelmsford had to work hard to score 159, Darren Thompson (47) top scoring. After a solid beginning, Clifford cut a swathe through the top and middle order. Stuart Everard with 30 and four wickets had a fine all-round game.

Keith Goodman and Tom Arnold shared all the wickets in the third team who easily beat Fives & Heronians.

From 56 for 0, to 113 all out, Fives batsmen were spellbound against Goodman (5–18) and troubled by Arnold (4–46). Only one wicket fell in the chase and Gary Chidley scored an unbeaten 62.

The fourth team had a tough contest at Upminster, but prevailed by four wickets. There were five wickets for Ken Jones as Upminster scored 165.

Four wickets each from Alex Bailey (4–9) and Adam Chantry (4–15) meant it was a short stint in the field for the fifth team, bowling Fives & Heronians out for 40.

Fives bowled well, particularly Jing (5-54) and Chelmsford had been thankful for sensible batting from Connor Cheverall (62) with support from Peter Stock (35) to reach 180.

The finish to the sixth team game defied belief. Wickford needed six runs from three overs with six wickets in hand and lost by four runs without a wicket falling.

Chelmsford struggled to score 113 with Ben Turner (18) batting sensibly after some setbacks. The bowlers kept it tight, Rory Skepelhorn returning two for 17 and Jack Campion bowling a maiden with 5 needed from the last over.

Chelmsford 1st XI travelled to Colchester for the third league fixture. Skipper Nick Prowting won the toss and elected to bat first.

Stephens (1-13) bowled a tight opening having Dan Hagen caught behind for 10. Dewan (57) and Prowting (78) relied on rotating the strike to build a partnership of 118. Wickets fell regularly in search of quick runs. The innings finished on 216 for seven.

Colchester looked to be in the driving seat and needed 20 runs from the final three overs with three wickets in hand. The game turned when Clifford ran out Barnett (81) with a direct hit from the boundary.

With 12 runs required from the last over Drain (2-35) kept his composure to ensure victory for Chelmsford by 3 runs.