James Rushford’s century and Ben Harris’ hat-trick led Saffron Walden Cricket Club to a win against Nassington.

Playing at home, Saffron racked up 331-8 as they had won the toss and opened the batting with Rushford once again proving the rock of his side’s innings with a knock of 126 for his second century of the season so far.

His quality at the crease allowed others to make valuable contributions around him, notably Ben Harris and Ali Russell who both made quick 30s.

Chasing 332 for victory was always going to be a tough task for Nassington, a task for which they fell short.

Dan Robinson put up the only real Nassington resistance with his innings of 44 as his side was bowled out for 142.

Walden’s success with the ball was in no small part to Ben Harris who in just 7.2 overs took four wickets at a cost of 21 runs, a spell that included a hat-trick.

The 189-run victory saw Walden move up from fourth to second in the league table.

Captain Joe Barrs said: “I’m delighted with Saturday’s result, as it showed our resilience bouncing back from the defeat last week.

“To win so emphatically gives us some great momentum going into next week’s game against top of the league side Ketton.

“We are determined to get a result against them and continue to build our strength playing at home.”

There was a sensational display from the club’s U12s side who bowled their opponents out for just 16 in the Peter Coe Cup Group 2.

Bishop’s Stortford were their opponents, but Walden bowled them out in just 11.2 overs.

Walden bowled and fielded impeccably from the first ball, allowing only two Stortford batsmen to score runs and removing eight others for ducks.

Once on top after early wickets, they raised the intensity and with the threat of rain always looming the boys were keen to get the job done quickly and did just that.

All six of the bowlers used took at least one wicket, but the top figures were from Henry Clare and Louis Nichols with identical returns of two overs, two maidens and two wickets.

Walden lost just one wicket in the 4.2 overs it took to overhaul the total.

The nine-wicket victory moved them top of their group in the competition.