Treble Ton For Nilesh

9:30am Wednesday 14th June 2000

Stanford le Hope 235-2

Harlow 236-4

Harlow won by six wickets

(Shepherd Neame League division three)

HARLOW continued their excellent early season form on Saturday with a fine six-wicket win at Stanford le Hope.

The home side looked favourites when they amassed 235-2 in their innings but once again Nilesh Odedra performed heroics for Harlow, scoring his third unbeaten century in his last five outings.

Stanford won the toss and elected to take the crease first on what looked certain to be a batsman-friendly wicket.

The visitors struck early by removing opener Nuttall without scoring but a second wicket stand between P Gray (102 not out) and Easey (86) gave Stanford a substantial platform.

Late in the innings I Gray scored a quick 39, dishing out some severe punishment to Harlow skipper Ian Hill whose five overs cost 47 runs.

In reply, the visitors were off to a dream start with a magnificent opening stand of 176 between Odedra (109 not out) and Terry Rist (83). The partnership was eventually broken with Rist unfortunate to be run out.

The innings then faltered with three wickets falling for 31 runs, but any fears of a wasteful collapse were calmed by Hill who joined Odedra to see Harlow safely home for at 236-4 with 4.3 overs remaining.

The result saw Harlow pick up 18 points and move up to third place in the Shepherd Neame League division three with 61 points, five points behind Stanford and six behind leaders Southend.

Odedra is clearly the most prolific batsman in the division on current form and if he continues to receive good support then Harlow are sure to challenge for promotion. They entertain Basildon at the Marigolds on Saturday.

The second team continued their good start by winning their fourth game out of four.

They beat Hornchurch thanks to 98 from Baulcomb and 83 from Allen in a total of 226-4. Their opponents were bowled out for 101 with Baulcomb, Baker and Ayrton all taking three wickets.

The thirds beat Old Brentwoods by eight wickets.