Player crisis for Burnham Sports (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Player crisis for Burnham Sports

3:06pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Ryman Division One North

Burnham Sports have a player crisis for their toughest match of the season on Saturday – an away fixture against Rayleigh, the unbeaten leaders in the T.Rippon Mid-Essex League first division.

Ali Allchin, Jamie Hamilton and Grant Smith are definitely out, while skipper Andy Stephens, still limited by a shoulder problem and with possible work commitments, may also be missing.

Frustration levels within the team are also high after a painful one-wicket loss away to Rettendon last week.

It was the second time in three matches that they have lost by such a slender margin – and their only other defeat this term was also after a tight affair.

Stephens said: “I’d rather we were absolutely hammered than again get so close, yet so far.

“With just a bit more composure, or luck, we’d have a couple more wins and be bang in the promotion picture.

“Having big players like Ali, Jamie and Grant missing against Rayleigh is also a nuisance, because they are clearly on a roll.

“We’ve got depth, though, and it represents a great opportunity for others to make a mark.”

Burnham, having been put in on a quick pitch, accumulated 214 for eight from their allotted 45 overs and victory was within their grasp as they reduced the home side to 159 for eight, and then 180 for nine.

But Rayleigh were never far off the required run rate and Roworth, who finished unbeaten on 51, and tail-enders Plummer (17) and Du Plessis (10 not out) squeezed them home with five balls to spare.

A haul of five for 59 by the lively Allchin was in vain, as was an excellent spell by Robin Whittaker, who took two for 23 from his 12 overs.

Earlier, Sports had battled hard against a Rettendon attack that, largely, gave little away.

The in-form Joel Whittaker made another 44, while Jamie Hamilton weighed in with 40.

Another positive for Burnham was the fluent 26 not out made by schoolboy Jack Silvester, who relished anything legside or pitched short.

The speedy Luke Snelling (12-3-33-2) was the pick of the home attack.