DUNMOW Cricket Club rounded off an excellent Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship season with an emphatic victory, which, with other results going their way, saw them finish fourth in the final division two table.

It is their highest finish for many years and with their highest points total since the divisions moved to 12 teams six years ago.

Bowling first in their final game against Ipswich and East Suffolk, Matt Gibson once again made early inroads, claiming his 42nd and 43rd wickets of the campaign, while James Reid claimed one to leave the visitors at 50 for three after 15 overs of a innings reduced to 30 overs because of the threat of rain.

Barry Sewell then took up the attack and, supported by excellent catching, claimed another five wicket haul in taking five for 45, while Steve Hamlin bagged two for 56 and moved to 30 wickets for the season as the visitors ended on 164.

The rain was starting to set in, but the teams turned straight around and Dunmow adapted their batting order to give them the best chance of chasing the runs quickly.

Nick Kesingland's elevation up the order proved inspired as he blasted 65 from 27 balls, while Joe Gallant also played aggressively to make a rapid 29. The final act, though, was left to skipper Paul Reid - playing in his final match as skipper after six years at the helm - and it was fitting that he hit the winning runs in only the 17th over to seal the victory.

Reid said “We have really played as a team this year with everyone making telling contributions and many players have their best seasons.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the team for six years and I hope to be able to support whoever the new skipper is as a player in the years to come.”

Dunmow seconds also secured a victory in their final game as Sam Bush made 51 in chasing down 109 for the loss of just four wickets to win against Eight Ash Green.