A STUNNING hat-trick from Paul Green drove Burnham Sports firsts to an emphatic 113-run win over Great Totham in their T-Rippon Mid-Essex League division one clash.

With the home side already seven wickets down and needing a miracle to chase down Sports’ total, Green, who had already claimed four wickets after seven overs, took the final three Totham wickets of Wilkins, Baron and Bowen in succession to wrap up the win in style.

“I felt really good going into that final over,” said the Burnham spinner, who ended with career-best figures of seven for 30 after 7.4 overs.

“Having already taken four and with the team dominating the game, it was a case of trying not to change anything.

"I kept bowling in the same areas to make something happen, but I never imagined getting a hat trick.”

Sports’ captain Joel Whittaker added: “No matter which division you are in, to take a hat-trick is an enormous achievement.

"He was helped by five excellent catches including two at mid-off for Brian Leech.”

On Sports’ bowling attack, Whittaker said: “It’s great as a captain that this team has so much depth in the bowling department - virtually every player can bowl and take wickets.”

Whittaker himself bagged a brace of wickets, while his brother, Robin, also pitched in with one of his own, to ensure that Sports bowled out Totham for just 69 after 19.4 overs.

Earlier, 47 runs from both Grant Smith and Jamie Hamilton helped Burnham reach a first innings total of 182 for nine after 45 overs.

On a slow, wet pitch with varied bounce, the pair managed to stabilise the innings after Sports had been reduced to 35 for three after eight overs.

Robin Whittaker (16) and Tom Silvester (15 not out) also contributed and helped push Sports on to reach their final total.

Bowen shone for Totham on a difficult day for the home side.

He claimed four wickets, while fellow bowlers Baron and Wilkins claimed two wickets each.

With the season now at the halfway point, Burnham sit in second spot on 168 points, just five points behind leaders Canvey Island.

On Saturday, Sports host Brookweald at Millfields, who are currently in third position and only six points behind.

Meanwhile, Burnham Sports seconds suffered a heavy defeat to second-placed Goresbrook in their division eight fixture at Millfields, losing by ten wickets.

Batting first, Sports were unable to find some of the quality they have shown earlier in the season and lost early wickets to Williams (five for six) and Jones (two for 17).

David May (35) tried to force a Burnham response, but after Williams bowled him, the lower order crumbled.

Only captain Jack Shipton (nine) made any sort of contribution to the Burnham Innings, and Sports were bowled out for 54 after 28 overs.

Goresbrook comfortably chased down the Burnham total in 15 overs.

Openers Jackson (36 not out) and Friend (ten not out) saw them over the line without the loss of a wicket.

On a positive note, Joe Green made another good impression with the ball in his five overs, conceding just 17 runs.

Sports second team travel to Great Baddow on Saturday.