FOURTH SUCCESSIVE PROMOTION SECURED [27/08/07 05:22:32]

Abberton duly secured their fourth successive TCL promotion on Saturday despite going down by 29 runs to nearest challengers Witham.

Needing just a single point from the game, the visitors were always massive favourites to achieve their goal but were disappointed with the defeat and the manner in which the game was played.

The mid-Essex side totalled 199-9 from their 45 overs and ADCC’s worst batting display of the season followed as they crumbled to 60-8 before skipper Callum Appleyard (71) and self-declared ‘non-batsman’ Craig Scott (46) managed to guide the team to some form of respectability.

Despite the defeat, Abberton were able to continue their climb up the TCL and, together with divisional champions Wivenhoe Town, will be competing with the likes of Sudbury, Coggeshall, Copdock and Frinton in 2008. A sobering thought with captain Appleyard (right), who has played a major part in the club’s upward drive, unlikely to be available following his enforced deportation later this month.