Captain Simmons wants better in derby

Navestock Ardleigh Green captain Matt Simmons wants his side to bounce back in their Mid-Essex League Division Six derby with Havering seconds tomorrow (Saturday).

Green lost by 61 runs against leaders Great Wakering last weekend, after a disappointing batting display.

Simmons (3-40) and Jack Gildersleeve (2-41) pegged the hosts back after a bright start, before a late blitz lifted Wakering to 217.

Nilesh Patel (3-22) picked up late wickets for Green, who saw Liam Faulkner (33) and Tiraj Patel (29) put on 50 for the second wicket.

But Green lost momentum after Faulkner was run out, with only Simmons (23) able to make an impact in the middle order as they drifted to 156-9.

Simmons said: “It was a slightly disappointing result, but Great Wakering are an excellent side and I fully expect them to win the title this season.

“We know we can perform better, especially in the field, and this will need to be rectified against Havering.”

It was a similar story for the seconds, who lost by 23 runs against Rayleigh fifths.

Keith Mitchell (9-5-10-1) produced a superb opening spell against the leaders, while captain Vic Simmons (3-33) and Zac Decastro-Bunce also had success as Rayleigh reached 168-7.

Green reached 39-1, before Graham Stock (24) fell to a superb catch and the run rate began to increase and they slipped to 90-7.

Billy Lozowski (25) and Simmons (25 not out) put on 54 to raise hopes of an unlikely win, but it was not to be.

Simmons added: “It wasn’t the weekend we were after against the top two sides in the respective divisions. But promotion and top two spots remain in sight for both sides and with half the season still to go, it’s a positive position to be in.”