The 1982 Essex League (ECL) campaign was a fruitful one for 31-year-old Colchester & East Essex CC skipper Nigel Hilliard, whose 66 wickets at 9.41 not only helped the champions retain the crown won for the first time the previous year but also eclipsed the existing league record of 65. The following year, he increased the benchmark to 70 – albeit without a title – which was 14 more than a hostile, young and ’tache-less Merv Hughes managed for Woodford Wells. And in 1984, when Colchester finished joint champions, he extended it to 79, which remains the ECL record 40 years on.