Essex League: Champions beaten, as Brentwood, Wanstead win

Essex League champions Hornchurch suffered a rare defeat in a rain-affected clash with Buckhurst Hill.

The newly-crowned Premier Division kings posted 189-9 after being put into bat at Harrow Lodge Park, having been reduced to 99-7.

They were indebted to Adeel Malik’s unbeaten 76 from 85 balls, with Lesbourne Edwards (36) the only other batter to pass 15 as Sandun Dias (3-28) and Naivedyam Dwivedi (2-25) combined well.

The visitors were then set a revised target of 129 from 27 overs and sealed a seven-wicket win with 15 balls to spare.

Brentwood maintained their hold on second place with derby success at Hutton.

Tom Oakley (57), captain Aaron West (48) and Ben Allison (40) led the way with the bat as Brentwood posted 251-8, with Sean Sullivan (3-42) the pick of Hutton’s attack.

The hosts were left chasing 189 in 25 overs, though, and came up short on 161-7.

Viraj Gandhi (46), James Grady (37) and Cameron Tredgett (27) all scored quickly, but Essex staffer Allison nabbed 2-36 from his five overs.

Wanstead were also celebrating after beating Chelmsford by eight wickets at Chelmer Park.

Nabeel Aziz (3-31) and Joe Ellis-Grewal (3-40) had most success as the Herons dismissed their hosts for 125.

And Zain Shahzad fell one short of a half-century in reply, as Tom Simmons (20) and Haaris Usman (36 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Jonathan Das hit a six and three fours from the four balls he faced to help seal victory in the 19th over.

Hornchurch head to Colchester’s Castle Park for their last fixture next weekend, while Brentwood host Loughton, Hutton visit Buckhurst Hill and Wanstead welcome Hadleigh.