Date-stamped : 05 May97 - 06:15 Rule of Laws strikes right note for Essex By Charles Randall at Chelmsford Essex (256) bt Middlesex (190) by 66 runs THIS one-sided contest at Chelmsford unfolded to the pounding beat of music from a neighbouring funfair the other side of the Can river, the shrieks and shouts washing over a subdued crowd at the County Ground yesterday. Music at matches is being experimented with in Sunday games - at The Oval for instance - but this was the worst of everything, even if it did appear to enliven Essex`s prospects after their dreadful Sunday form last year, when they finished second to bottom. Essex won so easily yesterday that it almost amounted to cruelty as Middlesex relied on cheap tail-end runs to avoid their biggest Sunday defeat against anyone in terms of runs. The non-related Laws sorted out some untidy bowling, with the Australian, Stuart, hitting 79 off 75 balls and Danny a rapid 55 off 38, including three sixes and four fours, two of the sixes coming in one over by Richard Johnson which cost 22 runs. Excitement shrivelled after the first four Middlesex wickets fell in 18 deliveries - two apiece to Mark Ilott and Ashley Cowan - in pursuit of a mountainous 40-over total, and Angus Fraser, the last man, finished as their joint top- scorer with extras. His innings of 33 represented his best tally in the Sunday League while his last-wicket stand of 46 with James Hewitt was the highest for that wicket by any side against Essex. Cowan recorded his best bowling figures on a Sunday, taking four for 31, while Ilott was only called on to bowl four overs and finished with two for 10. Ronnie Irani also took two wickets, conceding 17 runs in his six overs. To make matters worse Middlesex`s ration was reduced to 38 overs for a slow over-rate, an arguable decision in view of the interminable time it took most of Essex`s batsmen to emerge from the pavilion. They seemed almost reluctant to join the fun, with Paul Grayson in danger of being timed out. Middlesex will feel that insult has been added to injury as they face a 660 fine for falling short of the required over-rate. Barry Hyam also had a day to remember. The 21-year-old, taking over behind the wicket because of a fitness doubt over Robert Rollins, held five catches to equal the record for an Essex wicketkeeper in a one-day match. Essex savoured their fourth win in four one-day games so far - quite the opposite to Middlesex`s strugglers, who were handicapped yesterday by the absence of Mark Ramprakash. He was unable to play because of a strained hamstring. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)