Hornchurch captain Gordon hoping to maintain momentum

Hornchurch captain Billy Gordon is looking to maintain momentum in the Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division – and make a bright start to the defence of their National T20 title this weekend.

Loughton visit Harrow Lodge on Saturday, before Hornchurch host a Dukes Essex T20 group on Monday, when they face Belhus as Hutton and Chingford meet in the other semi-final.

And Gordon knows his side cannot afford any complacency as they chase success on two fronts.

“We want to continue this very good start to the season,” he said.

“The momentum is good. Hopefully we’ll play like we have been against Loughton and get another win on the board. 

“Belhus will be difficult. Everyone wants to beat us and they’re a good side on their day. Same with Hutton and Chingford.

“You never know with T20, if one gets in and it comes off it can change a game. Hopefully we’ll have a strong side and get off to a good defence of our title.”

Hornchurch claimed an emphatic 211-run win at Hutton last weekend, after a maiden century from Jalpesh Vijay.

The diminutive right-hander hit eight sixes and nine fours in his 118 off 88 balls at the Polo Field Ground, to lay the foundations for Hornchurch’s 283-9.

Gordon (41) and Adeel Malik (36) put on 69 for the fifth wicket, before Arthur George reduced the hosts to 18-3.

Malik (4-15) and Gordon (3-24) then shared the rest of the wickets as Hutton were skittled for 72 inside 30 overs.

“Jalpesh batted superbly. The first 15 overs were ridiculous,” added Gordon.

“He didn’t give a chance and it was the Jalpesh we knew we’d get when he signed, but it’s taken him longer than he would’ve liked. He showed on his day he can be a matchwinner.

“When I went out to bat he said the wicket had changed and with the ball going soft it wasn’t coming onto the bat and was quite difficult.

“At first, the slower they bowled the harder it got and I didn’t want to risk anything. Getting 280 was a very good start.

“Arthur has been brilliant so far and hopefully he can carry that on. He’s a lovely lad and he’s bowling superb. 

“He works well with Gav [Griffiths], who bowled well without getting a wicket, but they will come for him. It was a brilliant day overall.”

It meant back-to-back wins for Hornchurch, after success against defending champions Wanstead a week earlier.

But Gordon knows it is very early days, adding: “I was glad everyone got rained off on the first day so it didn’t cost us anything.

“It’s been nice to get maximum points against Wanstead and Hutton, especially with Wanstead beating Brentwood.

“There’s so much depth in the league now. Colchester, Hadleigh are really good sides and you’ve got the normal ones like Chelmsford, Wanstead and Brentwood.

“There’s a lot of good teams so it will be difficult this year.”