BUNTINGFORD maintained the pressure at the top of the Herts & Essex League Division 1 with an emphatic win at Ilford Catholics. Batting first, the visitors got off to a bad start and lost two wickets for just seven runs. However, Richard Pearce (28) and

BUNTINGFORD maintained the pressure at the top of the Herts & Essex League Division 1 with an emphatic win at Ilford Catholics.

Batting first, the visitors got off to a bad start and lost two wickets for just seven runs.

However, Richard Pearce (28) and Chris Chambers (35) mounted an attack with a 60-run partnership - one which would eventually win the match.

When these two fell in quick succession, Haque, Dixon, and Channa all followed for ducks, and Buntingford looked in danger of collapse.

But valuable contributions from Walker (12), Lawrence (13) and Chowdhury (8) put Buntingford back on track and dragged them to a total of 111 all out.

Despite the small score, the Buntingford bowlers were confident of a result and the ever-reliable Chambers (3-17) and Pearce (1-11) kept the Ilford score down to 30-4 after 20 overs.

Chambers and Pearce were then replaced with Barry Walker (2-17) and Mahe Chowdhury (2-20), and aided by two fine pieces of fielding by Lawrence and Chowdhury, Ilford were all out for 80 in the 39th over.

The win keeps Buntingford within touching distance of both South Loughton and Newport, who hold the league table's top two spots.