Leaders Elmstead are pegged back by Hadleigh’s Kyle Tanner and then thwarted by rain

Dan Shanks bowling for Hadleigh, against Elmstead last Saturday. Shanks took one for 51 as the visitors posted a total of 236 for eight, before the rain arrived. Picture: PHIL MORLEY (Image: Archant)

The top five teams were all involved in matches that were eventually abandoned as draws, so as a consequence there are no changes to that top five.

Leaders Elmstead were frustrated by the wet weather at Hadleigh, having posted a good total of 236 for eight off their allotted 40 overs (reduced from 50 overs). Captain Aidan O’Brien led the way with a swift 83 off 92 balls at the top of the order, including 13 boundaries.

The hard-hitting O’Brien shared an opening partnership of 64 with Jordan Elliott (29 off 27 balls) and also 58 with Mark Perrin (29) for the second wicket.

Both Elliott and Perrin were victims of Hadleigh skipper Ben Wallis, who took two for 46 off his 10 overs. O’Brien was the first of Kyle Tanner’s five wickets, trapped leg before with the total on 183 (for three), the first of three wickets to fall without the addition of another run.

Dan White was bowled by Tanner second ball, and Peter Webster went the same way just one ball later. The excellent Tanner also dismissed Joshua Elliott and Paul Gates cheaply, on his way to figures of 7-0-31-5.

At the other end, wicketkeeper Ryan Vickery made 42 to provide the backbone of the innings, with Ashan Athurkoralage making an unbeaten 29 at No. 8.

But the rain then intervened at Friars Road before Hadleigh could begin their reply, leaving the hosts with 10 points and Elmstead 11.

Elsewhere, second-placed Wivenhoe cut the deficit to leaders Elmstead by one point to seven points, following their drawn match at home to Worlington.

Wivenhoe captain Harry Burnett won the toss and chose to bat, and his side responded by making 212 for eight off 50 overs, although no batsman reached 40.

Opener Matt Durrell (39), Jakob Kelly (38) and Liam Hope-Shackley (35) were all dismissed when well set, an in-form Hope-Shackley – fresh from his blistering 160 not out against Maldon from the previous weekend – hitting two sixes and five fours in his 28-ball stay.

The match was intriguingly poised, with Worlington on 136 for four, off 25 overs, when the rain arrived at Rectory Road. Craig Estlea, who had earlier taken three for 22 off his 10 overs, was left unbeaten on 34.

Third-placed Woolpit also batted first at home to Mistley, having been inserted by their opponents.

Nathan Crudeli made the most of the opportunity, striking 114 not out as Woolpit raced to 278 for six off 50 overs. Crudeli hit 12 fours in his 94-ball stay, receiving good late support from James Holmes (32) and Alex Jackson (51).

Mistley were floundering on 28 for two, off seven overs, when the match was abandoned as a draw.

Frinton 2nds were one of the rare winners, beating the weather to defeat hosts Haverhill by 15 runs in a 40 overs-a-side match.

Half-centuries from skipper Sam Brynes (62) and Alex Price (53) boosted the total to a modest 153 for nine, and that proved just enough to beat Haverhill, despite 58 from opener Dan Pass in a final total of 138 all out.

Witham were the other victors in Division One, claiming an exciting one-wicket win at home to Halstead – victory was achieved off the final ball. The hosts made 171 all out, off their 40 overs, thanks mainly to a dominant 77 from captain Joshua Wells.

Suffolk county all-rounder Jake Wakelin impressed with the ball, with figures of 10-1-29-3.

James Suett (49) and Michael Glynn (44) in the middle order put Witham on course for victory, but they lost a flurry of late wickets before sneaking home thanks to the exploits of their last two batsmen, No. 10 Peter Austin and No. 11 Ben McKendry.

Also in Division One, Maldon accrued 238 for nine off 50 overs against Braintree. Ian Elliott top-scored with 65, while Martyn Coker hit 55 off 57 balls, including a couple of sixes.

Geoff Eveling took four for 52 off his 10 overs, and his Braintree side were then 79 for three in their reply when the rain arrived.

In Division Two, leaders Coggeshall bowled out visiting Mildenhall 2nds for 178. Skipper Steve Graham plundered 58 off 49 balls for the Suffolk side, while William Blackwell took four for 27 late in the innings.

But only three overs were bowled in Coggeshall’s reply, before play was abandoned.

Mid-table East Bergholt did manage a 58-run win over Lakenheath, in a 30 overs-a-side match against Easton. Connor Oakley top-scored with 56 in their total of 163 all out, and captain Sam Foster then took three for 29 to reduce Easton to 105 all out.

Lakenheath beat Dunmow by four wickets, inspired by Danny Rodic’s four for 42.