RICHARD Pearce blasted 69 runs and took 6-29 as Buntingford collected their fourth straight Herts & Essex League win as previously unbeaten Rickling Ramblers were beaten by 73 runs. The hosts much-respected bowling attack began well and Buntingford were

RICHARD Pearce blasted 69 runs and took 6-29 as Buntingford collected their fourth straight Herts & Essex League win as previously unbeaten Rickling Ramblers were beaten by 73 runs.

The hosts' much-respected bowling attack began well and Buntingford were in trouble at 40-3, but Pearce continued his good form this season with a patient 69 not out.

Skipper Barry Walker (28) and Scott Nash (47) both batted with aggression and helped Buntingford to a total of 219-6 from their 45 overs.

Ian Fairall was the pick of the Rickling bowlers taking 3-45 from his 10 overs.

When Buntingford took to the field, their two opening bowlers ripped the heart out the Rickling batting. Francois Dixon bowled with great pace, taking 2-42 from 10 overs, and Pearce capped a great day by producing a superb spell of bowling, with 6-29 from 10 overs.

Buntingford backed their bowlers with first class fielding that saw both Nash and Pearce taking spectacular one-handed close-to-the-wicket catches.

Finding themselves at 55-6, Rickling never recovered. Only Aussie C Bradley looked to take the fight to Buntingford, making 61 before being the last man out with the Rickling total on 146 and 14 overs still remaining.

Buntingford will be looking to make it five wins in a row, when they entertain Stansted Hall on Saturday.

n Fifteen-year-old Mike Townsend produced a dazzling display as Buntingford II defeated Ramblers' second string by five wickets.

Winning the toss, Buntingford put Rickling in to bat and in the opening 15 overs, Rickling made good progress and were 75-1.

However, the two change bowlers, Mahhe ( 10-4-21-0 ) and Glasscock (10-3-35-3 ) put the brakes on Rickling's scoring and wickets began to fall at regular intervals.

With some aggressive batting at the finish, Rickling totalled 200-8 from their 45 overs. J Lodge (51) and T Hopwood (46) were the main contributors to the Rickling score

At tea, skipper Neil Dookheran, not having his usual opening partner available, was scratching his head as to who should open the innings with himself.

Showing amazing insight, he asked young colt wicketkeeper Mike Townsend to do the job.

Despite having just spent 45 overs behind the stumps, Townsend was keen to now stand in front of them. Dookheran and Townsend made a good fast start and when the skipper was out, they had put together a stand of 49 from 10 overs.

A couple of wickets then went cheaply, but by then Townsend had made his maiden 50 in senior cricket and the score had reached 120-3 in just 20 overs.

He continued to bat well, playing good shots on both sides of the wicket. Ably assisted by firstly Mahhe (23) and then McNamara (23 not out), Townsend reached his magical 100 in the 32nd over with the score on 191-4.

Then, with the score on 198 and Buntingford needing just three runs to win, he was bowled playing a tired looking shot for 103.

Roubel then came in and hit a four with his first shot to put Buntingford on 202-5 and the win was secured with 12 overs still remaining.

It is the first time in Buntingford's history that an under-16 player has scored a hundred for them in an adult match.