Hornchurch looking to maintain winning form says Gordon

Hornchurch captain Billy Gordon is hoping to maintain their fine start to the season at Chelmsford this weekend.

A 157-run home win over Loughton left them level on points with Colchester at the top of the Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division last weekend.

They piled up 403-7 from 50 overs, as George Hankins clubbed five sixes and 28 fours on his way to 201 from 137 balls, after Jalpesh Vijay had smacked 87 off 51 deliveries, with three sixes and 11 fours.

And Loughton were never in the hunt, as Marc Whitlock (2-37) and Gordon (2-49) nabbed braces in their 10-over spells.

“It was nice to win the toss again and Jalpesh had a brilliant start, scoring so quickly it made our job easier coming in the middle order,” said Gordon.

“George was hitting it to all parts of the ground and showed his class. I don’t think we’ve had as many as that and we were obviously happy with the score.

“They started all right, their first three went after it, but we got a few wickets and it got a bit boring and ended up being a long day.

“But it was another good victory and we’re level on points with Colchester and want to carry on this momentum. Chelmsford is a difficult place to play, though, and the pitch isn’t great.”

Hornchurch followed that with successes against Belhus and Chingford in their Dukes Essex T20 group at Harrow Lodge on Bank Holiday Monday as they began the defence of their National title.

Vijay (75 off 29), Hankins (72 not out off 38) and Gordon (63 off 37) led Hornchurch to 230-3 against Belhus, who were held to 134-9 as Adeel Malik (3-23) and Gordon (2-19) had most success.

But their clash with Chingford was much closer, after Ronnie Saunders (2-14) and Malik (2-20) nabbed braces to hold their rivals to 126-8.

Malik hit an unbeatn 46 off 27 balls in reply, with Gavin Griffiths hitting the penultimate ball of the match to the boundary to seal a two-wicket win and semi-final meeting with Wanstead at Billericay on July 9.

“Belhus were a bit of a bogey team for us, beating us twice in the league the other year,” added Gordon.

“But Jalpesh was an animal. He got his 50 off 16 balls and it was brilliant to watch.

“Getting 230 was lovely and once we got some early wickets in was game over.

“I lost the toss against Chingford which definitely made it harder. It was a lot different to the first game.

“The wicket was slower and lower, it was sticking in the pitch and turning square, and they had five spinners.

“They put the pressure on, but Adeel stepped up when we needed him. We’ve not needed him that much with the bat so far this year. It was the first time he has had to come good and he showed his class, it was a superb knock.

“Gav finished it off and it was good to get through. It was a brilliant day, with so many people over there watching.”