There is not only a new team at Saffron Walden Cricket Club but they also have a new look - thanks to a sponsorship deal.

The Women & Girls' side have been helped by accountants Croucher Needham and chairman David Barrs is delighted with the new kit.

He said: "We are grateful to our sponsors for making this happen, we are making great success with our women's and girls' cricket this year."

On the field, it was a day to remember for young off-spinner Ollie Rae but not for three of Walden's four teams.

Rae claimed a maiden five-wicket haul for the first team and took seven wickets in total but that was the only real highlight as they were beaten by 156 runs at Frinton on Sea in the East Anglian Premier League.

The home side had batted first and their top three of Micheal Comber (73), Josh Frame (48) And Ashane Wijesuriya (89) put Walden to the sword.

Rae still managed 7-88 but the visiting batsmen could not push on in a similar manner, Josh Down's 49 the best of them.

"It was a tough day at the office," admitted skipper Down. "We lost the toss on a dry, wearing pitch which meant it was always going to be an uphill battle against Frinton’s strong bowling line-up.

"But we didn’t disgrace ourselves, we were simply outplayed. It was one of those days.

"Ollie Rae had his best game in a Saffron Walden shirt with seven wickets. He is making great strides and it’s nice to see his hard work being rewarded."

Walden will also be without Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk for the rest of the season as he flew home due to a family member being unwell.

The seconds lost out to a tight finish in a high-scoring game at home to St Ives & Warboys.

The visitors started well as opener Jack Haycock (102) and number three Joseph Purse (87) but four wickets from Henry Rodda (4-50) and 3-68 from Stan Leech at least kept Walden in the game.

They still had to chase 327, and at more than a run a ball, but they got close, finishing on 313-8 to lose by 13 runs.

Stan Leech was 10 short of a century and young Henry Wiseman got everyone excited with a 35-ball 61.

 

The thirds also had a tight finish away at Milton, the hosts getting over the line with eight wickets down and 10 balls remaining.

Felix Serby (95) and Hywel Bowen (59) had been the main stars in the Walden innings.

The fourths did a least bring a little bit of sunshine as they won by 140 runs at home to Little Shelford.

Tom Price's unbeaten 111 was the main part of their 237-7 with Jay Reader then claiming 4-35 as Shelford were bowled out for 97.

There was better news on Sunday for the U12s as they beat Bishop's Stortford by 197 runs in the county cup.

Batting first they made 258-1 in just 25 overs, Cillian Harrison (32), Harry Silverwood (140*) and Jack Hill (73*) there only batsmen.

Oscar Rodwell took 4-4 as Stortford were all out for 67.