CHRIS Viner and Malcolm Gilmer took the honours as Thriplow saw their CCA Senior League Division Two season off to an excellent start with a comprehensive victory over Burrough Green. On seeing a wicket that would have made Alan Titchmarsh rub his hands i

CHRIS Viner and Malcolm Gilmer took the honours as Thriplow saw their CCA Senior League Division Two season off to an excellent start with a comprehensive victory over Burrough Green.

On seeing a wicket that would have made Alan Titchmarsh rub his hands in glee, Thriplow skipper Chris Neild had no hesitation on inserting Green on winning the toss.

The Morris brothers, Nigel and Andy, hit top form immediately, and a pivotal moment in the day saw Andy snaffle a low caught and bowled to dismiss danger-man Lister for a rare duck.

It was not until the 11th over that the run-total passed the overs as the tight opening spells were matched by change bowlers Nathan Sugden and Gilmer.

Both took wickets as well, and Gilmer followed this up with two run outs, one a high class pick up, swivel and direct hit off his own bowling.

Viner's nagging line and length saw him hit the stumps three times, and Dickon Turner picked up the last two wickets to leave Green all out for a sorry 74.

Thriplow's pace attack, with five bowlers under the age of 23 had shown a maturity of control and aggression well beyond their years.

Turner and Martin Craze launched the Thriplow response.

Despite some unplayable deliveries from Lister on an increasingly inconsistent wicket, they took the score up to 40 before Turner, having despatched two delightful sixes, one into the duck pond, fell lbw to Scruby for 21 attempting something similar.

When Staley (0), Craze (17) and Neild (2) then all fell quickly, Thriplow had the wobbles at 50-4.

However youngsters Sugden and Viner showed no nerves at all to take Thriplow home.

Viner's four boundaries in eight deliveries saw him finish 17 not out and Thriplow left one of their bogey grounds with the 20 points in the bag, having well and truly 'tangoed' Green before the predicted rain set in.

Thriplow II were grateful to a timely intervention from the elements when rain saved them from likely defeat against Helions Bumpstead.

Losing the toss, Thriplow were asked to bat first and rapidly began to get themselves into trouble in the face of some accurate and challenging bowling.

Opening bowler R Cook revelled in the conditions and finished with figures of 4-31 off his 10 overs.

Skipper Adrian Cox also fared well and finished with almost identical figures. Ken Ayre (16) and Dan Carr (26) appeared to be rebuilding the innings after Thriplow had been reduced to 20-3 in the 11th over, but both fell when they looked well established, and the innings never regained any meaningful momentum thereafter.

Jon Collins (16) and Dave Osborne (13) played some agricultural shots to entertain the milling spectators but neither were able to hang around for any length of time.

Thriplow's eventual total of 135 owed much to Nick Cliffe who was the pick of the crop and put up some stern resistance before being last man out for a fine 36.

A light drizzle began to fall during the tea break and there seemed little likelihood of an improvement in the conditions.

The players took to the field with both teams knowing that a quick victory would be essential if a result were to be achieved.

Thriplow needed early wickets but bowling duo Ali King and Martin Dabnor struggled in the damp conditions and the batsmen were able to score at a healthy five an over.

The rain intensified and the players were forced to trudge off with the score on 71-1 after 16 overs.

No more play was possible and an early visit to the local pub marked an end to proceedings with the match declared void.

In contrast, Westmill were left cursing the weather as their Herts & Essex League game at Thorley was abandoned with them in a strong position.

Westmill posted an impressive 303-4 in their 45 overs before reducing the Bishop's Stortford side to 38-2 in reply.

The consolation for Westmill was that their 10 point haul leaves them fifth in the first league table of the season, and on Saturday they will look for victory when Rickling Ramblers are the visitors to Cottered.

The father-and-son combination of Gary and Adam Wright could not quite manufacture a win at Newton on Saturday, as Great Chishill's CCA Division 4SB season got off to a soggy start.

Adam, opening the bowling for the second eleven at the age of 12, took 2-21 and inspired his father to repeat former glories, Gary snatching 4-23 to dismiss the home side for just 129.

With Chishill well placed at 27-0 the heavens opened and the chance of an opening victory was gone.

Chishill's first team were also poised to take maximum points in Division 2SA.

The home side reached 219-9 at tea thanks to Michael Wiseman digging deep for 31 and a whirlwind innings of 49 not out from Sam Stoop.

The opening bowler hit 30 off just one over from Clarkson, including four sixes, to set a daunting target for the visitors, who were 5-0 when the match was abandoned.