2021 League Season Review

The 2021 season saw the start of competitive games, albeit in not normal circumstances, in the recently established Herts & Essex Border League. The Sat 1s competed in the highest division (Premier) with the Sat 2s, the highest rank 2nd team in the league, in the division below.

The Saturday 1s enjoyed a reasonably good campaign finishing runners up to deserved winners, Stansted Hall & Elsenham. Skipper Dan Reese led the way with the bat with 659 league runs and 18 dismissals as keeper, despite keeping for only half of the campaign. Saturday 1s player of the year, Josh Stevens found form in an opening berth with the bat, scoring his maiden league 100, alongside 500+ runs. He also chipped in with 23 wickets. Cos Achillea enjoyed a good season with the bat, alongside an impressive average with the ball, and there was a maiden league 100 from Josh Eke too. With the ball, Paul Quinn led the way with 30 wickets, pursued closely by 16 year old Luke Rivers (26 wickets), who unsurprisingly claimed the U18 Premier Division player of the year. Ed Taylor (21 wickets) bowled some notable spells throughout the season with veteran Peter Barker claiming 20 wickets at a miserly economy rate.

The Saturday 2s, plying their trade in a very competitive division, had some tough games, but on other days would have registered a number of deserved wins. Captain and HEBL ladies player of the year, Sarah Walker topped the batting charts (227 runs) and Andy Humphrey registered a memorable maiden club century in a high scoring game against Hockerill. Darren Dack and new club member Matilda Prince led the way with the ball (9 wickets each). Matilda’s brother, Michael, another new club member and regular in the team throughout the season, deservedly won Saturday 2s player of the year. Lastly, a couple of mentions to Billy Bays, who displayed excellent keeping across both sides during the season and U14 Aryaman Shukla, who showed good signs of development in all areas of his game throughout the season.

The club looks ahead with promise to the 2022 league season with increasing numbers of playing members and an exciting blend of youth and experience.

Paul Quinn, Team Secretary