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An unbeaten century by Joel Whittaker helped rejuvenated Burnham Sports beat Hockley by 70 runs in their latest T.Rippon Mid-Essex League first division fixture.

Whittaker finished 109 not out as his team accumulated 246 for four from their allotted 45 overs. That was always going to be a formidable tally - the previous highest score at Clements Hall this year had been 206 - and the home side duly laboured to 176 for nine in reply.

Dame Fortune rode pillion with Whittaker - he should have been run out before reaching 50 and offered several other chances - but the 23-year-old made the most of his lives, hitting two straight sixes and 13 fours.

Whittaker, who had made 95 in the win over Little Waltham the previous week, shared in a fluent second-wicket partnership of 98 with Grant Smith (who hit nine fours in a forceful innings of 48) and then piled on 116 for the fourth wicket in 15 overs with Jamie Hamilton, who was out in the penultimate over for 47.

In reply, Hockley were always struggling to keep up with the required run rate and, with little more than ten overs left, had slumped to 126 for eight. Their tail-enders belatedly offered some resistance but merely delayed the inevitable.

Karl Barnes, despite suffering from flu-like symptoms, was the pick of the Burnham attack and finished with two for 25 from his nine-over stint.

Paul Green (two for 30) and David Bridge (two for 22) also enjoyed themselves, with Andy Stephens, Robin Whittaker and Ali Allchin sharing the other three wickets to tumble.

Allchin, 16, had more to celebrate the following day as he scored his maiden century in Burnham's crushing 194-run win over Wickham in their Warsop Central Essex Sunday League Division 4 encounter.

The powerfully-built youngster found the boundary 18 times on his way to making 102, having hit an undefeated 70 in the victory over Tillingham the previous week.

Hamilton, who retired after making 60, and Dominic Whittaker, who did likewise after hitting 55, also indulged themselves, with Steve Sims adding 30. Burnham finished with a whopping 323 for eight from their 40 overs.

Wickham were then dismissed for 129, with 13-year-olds Neil Wade (three for 22) and Tim Lornie (two for 28) both getting among the wickets. Skipper Steve Rees-Evans joined in the fun by claiming two for five.

This Saturday, the 1st XI entertain Chignal at home (start 1.30pm), hoping to avenge defeat in the reverse fixture. The 2nd XI, who suffered an agonising one-run defeat to Sandon in their latest fixture, have a tough game away to promotion-chasing Ekco Monarchs and then, 24 hours late, Burnham have another Sunday League game at home to Great Waltham (start 2pm).

Colts training takes place at Millfield every Monday night between 6pm and 7.30pm. Boys and girls from eight to 16 are all welcome.

7:33am Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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