Essex League: Hornchurch can’t win them all says Gordon

Hornchurch captain Billy Gordon admitted ‘you can’t win them all’ after his Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division leaders drew at Wanstead.

After putting the hosts into bat, Gordon saw them reduced to 30-3 as Arthur George (3-71) impressed with the new ball, before a 150-run stand between Tom Simmons (84) and Ali Zeb.

Adnan Akram (35) added another 115 with Zeb, who made a superb 154 from 180 balls before falling to Adeel Malik (2-68) as the hosts piled up a challenging 315-7.

“Normally we bat first but we wasn’t sure with the rain we’d had on Friday, so thought maybe bowl first,” said Gordon.

“But the wicket was as flat as a pancake really and there wasn’t much for the seamers or much spin.

“Their young lad [Zeb] batted superb. He looks a really good prospect and will be a good player. He didn’t give a chance.

“We didn’t do much wrong, but they did well. I think it was the windiest I’ve ever played in.

“It was our first time chasing a fair few for a while and we were a bit shocked at the time. But we’re not going to win every game. Wanstead played well.”

Hornchurch lost Jalpesh Vijay to a first-ball duck in reply and looked in trouble at 73-5 with Gordon (21) one of four victims for Zain Shahzad (4-47).

But opener Paul Murray held firm and put on 80 with Adeel Malik, before falling for 70 off 109 balls.

Malik added an unbroken 93 with Ronnie Saunders (26 not out), finishing on 106 from 117 balls as Hornchurch closed on 246-6 to collect nine points.

“Zain bowled well and we gave a few wickets away, but Muz batted superb, so did Addy,” added Gordon.

“The game was drifting a bit but we wanted to get as many batting points as possible and nearly got to 250.

“It was hard to get 20 wickets on that pitch but we’ll take that. We’re happy to get the points, with the way other results went and Brentwood losing.”

Hornchurch sit 27 points clear of Colchester at the top of the table and host Hutton at Harrow Lodge Park this weekend.

And Gordon wants to get back to winning ways, adding: “It’s another big weekend and we need to make the most of it.

“We’re playing Hutton and it’s Colchester against Chelmsford. Hopefully we can get maximum points and carry on.

“I think we’ve got the same team available which is nice and we’ve just got to keep on. If we can win our next three [Hutton, Loughton, Chelmsford] and not let slip we’ll be in a good position before the last four limited overs matches. 

“But it can all change quickly. We’ve got Colchester away on the last day of the season and ideally it will all be wrapped up before then!”