Hornchurch captain Gordon delighted at halfway stage

Hornchurch captain Billy Gordon was delighted to reach the halfway point of the Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division season sitting at the top of the table.

A 107-run win over nearest rivals Colchester left Gordon’s men 19 points clear of Essex neighbours Brentwood, ahead of a trip to Hadleigh on Saturday.

And Hornchurch are also in action at the Dukes Essex T20 finals day on Sunday, facing Wanstead in their semi-final as Brentwood meet Billericay in the other tie.

“They’re a good side Colchester so it was a brilliant win and we would’ve taken that [19-point lead] at the start,” he said.

“It’s a shame about the Brentwood game [a seven-run loss]. Nine times out of 10 we would’ve won that, but we’ve been brilliant so far and we’ve just got to keep it going.

“Hadleigh is a tough place to go, a bit like Chelmsford, and we’ve got a couple missing.

“We’re looking forward to Sunday and hopefully we can defend our T20 title. It’s another busy weekend.”

Gordon chose to bat against Colchester after winning the toss and saw Jamie Sorrell (28) and Lesbourne Edwards (34) put on 61 for the second wicket.

George Hankins (62) and Ronnie Saunders (43) added 80 for the fifth wicket, before Adeel Malik (49 not out) and Gavin Griffiths (21 not out) lifted the total to 266-8.

“Les got in contact with us. He was going to sign earlier but went to Slough,” added Gordon. 

“Then he got fed up with travelling and we transferred him over just in time.

“Ronnie batted well and George, as always once he gets in, looked a million dollars.

“Adeel got us to a good total on a slow wicket, but there was some spin and bounce.”

Malik (4-38), Marc Whitlock (3-33) and Griffiths (2-19) shared most of the wickets as Colchester were dismissed for 159, with Gordon adding: “There’s not much in it for the seamers at the moment, but we’ve got loads of spin and we bowled well.

“Adeel was superb and Whitlock bowled really well, considering he hasn’t been used that much. He comes into the games more now.”

Hornchurch hosted East Molesey in the Conference Cup on Sunday and saw the Surrey League side post 267-6 in 45 overs.

Malik (4-33) was the pick of the bowling once again and, after contributions from Arthur George (21), Gordon (31), Hankins (47), Luke Edwards (30) and Griffiths (22), hit an unbeaten 73 from 70 balls to seal a three-wicket win and quarter-final tie against Roffey or Blackheath with seven balls to spare.

“East Molesey had a strong team and we had a few missing. Their opener was very good, he didn’t give a chance,” said Gordon.

“We had to balance things out a bit but it worked. Me and George had a bit of a partnership and Luke batted brilliantly.

“The run rate was good but we were losing wickets. Adeel was superb and Ted Coney came in to keep wicket and was superb. He hit a six late on which put it in our favour.

“It was brilliant to see him come in and do his stuff, which is what we want when that happens.”