IT was a great weekend for Buntingford, with both league teams winning – the first team kick-starting their season with victory over table-topping Ilford Catholics at Norfolk Road. In overcast conditions, the Buntingford batsmen struggled early on, and f

IT was a great weekend for Buntingford, with both league teams winning - the first team kick-starting their season with victory over table-topping Ilford Catholics at Norfolk Road.

In overcast conditions, the Buntingford batsmen struggled early on, and found the tight Ilford bowling attack hard to break.

Martin Coote (21) and John Clements(18) got Buntingford off to a steady start, but when Chris Chambers (12) fell in the 21st over, it left Buntingford on 53-3 and a long way off a decent total.

Richard Pearce was the only batsman to come to terms with the weather with a well-crafted 50 not out, and aided by some late-order hitting by Syed (16) and Channa (15), Buntingford posted 149-7 from their 45 overs.

Any hopes that Ilford entertained of an easy run chase were quickly dashed by the Buntingford attack.

Chambers (10-3-14-4) and Pearce (10-4-7-2), both produced a brilliant spell of bowling to leave Ilford reeling at 22-6 from the opening 20 overs.

When Duff (23-3) and Mahe (5-1) came into the attack, there was still no respite for the batsman and these two bowlers, ably assisted by some fine fielding, finished the job off as Ilford crumbled to 51 all out.

- The second team maintained their great start to the season with an emphatic win over neighbours Westmill.

Batting first, Buntingford, although scoring more than five runs per over, lost their first three wickets for 48.

Hugh McNamara was then joined by Sean McGrath, and together they put on a stand of 78 before McGrath was out for a solid 39.

McNamara continued to guide his team to a good score, before he was eventually out for a fine 46 with the score on 172.

With the tail-enders chipping in with a few runs, Buntingford finished on 201-9 from their 45 overs.

In reply, Westmill were always up against it, and Neil Atkins continued where he left off last week, by bowling another great spell and finished on 6-3-14-5.

At the other end, Karl White took 7-3-14-5 to help see Westmill all out for 30 in just 13 overs.