Brentwood captain West ‘feels like Premier League manager’

Brentwood captain Aaron West admitted he felt like a Premier League football manager as he looked ahead to a busy Bank Holiday weekend.

West’s side visit Buckhurst Hill in the Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division on Saturday, then head to Middlesex League outfit Crouch End in the ECB National Club Championship on Sunday.

And Monday sees them at Ilford’s Valentines Park for a Dukes Essex T20 group that also includes Harold Wood and Upminster.

The games come thick and fast after a damp start to the 2023 campaign and West is hoping for a happy outcome.

“Hopefully we can start putting some wins on the board,” he said.

“Buckhurst Hill will be a tough game, but most will be.

“We’re at Crouch End in the National Cup and don’t know much about them, but it’s always fun playing knockout cricket and we look forward to the challenge.

“Hopefully the majority will be available for the T20 on Bank Holiday Monday at Ilford. 

“I feel like a Premier League manager complaining about the fixtures!

“It’s three away games in one weekend but hopefully we can win those and get through to the Essex finals.”

Having seen their opening league game at Chelmsford washed out, but beaten Chingford – and North London in the National – a week later, Brentwood fell to defeat at Wanstead last weekend.

West chose to bat at Overton Drive and dominated a 51-run opening stand with Ed Ballard before fallig for 34.

Ballard (21) followed soon after, but Will Buttleman (52) put on 102 with new Australian signing Daniel Drew for the third wicket.

And Drew went on to reach 75 off 71 balls to take Brentwood to 199-3, before the hosts hit back to hold them to 238-8 after 50 overs.

“We were looking towards 260-plus but unfortunately our two set batters got out and it was hard for new batters on that wicket,” added West.

“Our top four all batted well, but it was a shame one of us couldn’t go on to a big score at the death.

“If we get to 270 they have to play under a bit more pressure.”

Wanstead’s openers put on 115 and, although they fell in quick succession to Ian Belchamber (3-46), it set them up for a six-wicket win with four overs to spare.

“It was a combination of we didn’t bowl our best and they batted well and took advantage,” said West.

“They got ahead of the rate and cruised a bit but then our spinners did well, but it wasn’t enough.

“The better team on the day came out on top, they won the bigger moments.

“I don’t feel we played badly, but in those crucial moments they were slightly better.”