TILLINGHAM opened their T-Rippon Mid-Essex League campaign with a convincing win away at Broomfield.

Having been put in to bat, Tillingham started cautiously as openers Cummins (28) and Pool (26) set about building a solid foundation, with an opening partnership of 58.

However, both men fell in quick succession, and Tillingham were soon in trouble at 63-3.

But, Andy Mee (32) and Tom Ford (54) came together and put on 75 for the fourth wicket.

Ford, who also scored 50 in the first XI’s pre-season win at Great Waltham last Saturday was the main aggressor, smashing seven fours and two sixes on his way to 50.

Tillingham eventually posted a competitive 171-5 on the bowler friendly wicket.

Broomfield’s reply never really got going, thanks to accurate bowling from Tillingham’s seamers, who were backed up well in the field, taking all the catching chances they were offered.

Opener Luke Farrow (21) looked composed before he was the victim of a smart stumping by keeper Cummins.

The visitors bowlers all played their part as Broomfield were all-out for just 112.

The wickets were shared around, with Joss Corby claiming 4-23, Andy Smith 2-25 and Jack Bennett 2-4.

Tillingham were buoyed by the return to first team bowling action from man-of-the-match Tom Ford.

Ford took the new ball and claimed 1-20 in his six-over spell.

Tillingham seconds entertained their Broomfield counterparts for the opening division nine fixture, and gave their opponents first knock when skipper Glen Hylton won the toss.

The Broomfield second-wicket pair took a few chances and rode their luck to post a total of 167-1 in 40 overs.

With 60 runs required from the last ten overs and plenty of wickets in hand, it should have been comfortable for the home side, but the lower order crumbled and Tillingham eventually fell nine runs short.