Essex Falcons v Sussex
D40 Pursuit South Group
Harlow Town Cricket Club
Sunday 16 June 2024
Essex Falcons: Benny Fryatt, Matthew Hazel, Andrew Mowatt, Lee Wheeler*, Isaac Elles, Martyn Doe, Alfie Jeeves, James Ward+, Teresa Fitten, Jack Gair, Matt Thomas, Jack Flowers.
Sussex: A Stuart, C Ferguson, A Lucas, M Robus, T Booker, H Phelps, F North, E Spence, C Galloway, J Dixon, J Benn.
Toss: Sussex won the toss and elected to bowl
Result: Essex Falcons won by 43 runs
Match Report
Words: Brian Jeeves
Essex Falcons returned to D40 Pursuit South Group winning ways with a hard-earned 43-run victory over a young and talented Sussex side at Harlow Town Cricket Club.
The home side posted a competitive 186 for eight, with some notable contributions with the bat.
Benny Fryatt led the way with an excellent half-century. It was Fryatt’s highest score in Essex colours. He was eventually dismissed by a delivery from Phelps, having scored 57, a knock which included seven boundaries.
Skipper Lee Wheeler hit 25, and Isaac Elles 22 from 19. Meanwhile, Alfie Jeeves also made his highest tally for the county, closing the innings unbeaten on 34. Stuart was the pick of the Sussex bowlers, returning figures of 3/27.
But the visitors made quick ground in their pursuit of the target. Stuart and Ferguson put on 41 for the opening wicket. The latter was eventually trapped lbw by Matt Thomas, while Stuart fell to Jeeves thanks to a catch at mid-on from Martyn Doe.
Essex struggled to contain the enthusiastic Sussex batters. Nevertheless, Thomas gave them plenty to think about, finishing with 3/24. Wheeler had 2/11, while Teresa Fitten bowled superbly for her 1/11.
The contest was very much in the balance until the final ten overs when the Essex attack turned the screw. Indeed, the outcome was far closer than the result suggested in a game played out in tremendous spirit.
