2009 Season 1st XI Match Reports

What a way to treat a Premier League winning captain!

9th May

Brentwood 1st XI - 316-4
South Woodford 1st XI - 209-9
Brentwood won by 107 runs

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood, led by their four league debutants, produced a comprehensive all-round performance to record victory in their first league game of the season.

Upon losing the toss, captain Jon Walford returning from injury, was asked to bat on a hard and flat wicket. Under the new league format, the opening five fixtures are a limited 50 over format.

Making use of the fielding restrictions, Walford and new signing James Redwood opened the batting and after 15 overs Brentwood had moved along smoothly to 77 without loss, although there were missed chances off the bowling of former first class bowler Carl Greenidge, son of West Indies legend Gordon. However, Walford fell in the first over after the fielding restrictions, looking to go over the top to Gary Neicho.

This loss brought Phil Ayres to the crease and he immediately looked in form as he and Redwood put together a crucial 100 run partnership in only 18 overs. When Ayres fell for 39, the foundations had been laid for a large total and allowed Redwood and new batsman Richard Walford to play with freedom with Redwood in particular finding the boundary at regular intervals. When both batsmen fell in the same over, Redwood falling just nine short of a deserved century, Brentwood needed a little re-building and this was done by two more new signings, Jahid Ahmed and Sam Poutney. Starting by just pushing singles, the wickets Brentwood had in hand, along with the depth to their batting line-up, allowed for an explosive finish and that certainly came with both batsmen starting to find the boundary at regular intervals.

Going into the final over Brentwood had amassed a good score of 289, with the potential of a score around 300. However, Ahmed had other ideas, as the first three deliveries went for 25 (there were four sixes, including one off a no-ball), and with a certain level of excitement from the assembled spectators, there was almost disappointment that only 29 ended up coming from the over.

With momentum firmly with Brentwood, it was important that their opening attack continued to pursue their advantage. This certainly was done by new boys Max Osborne and Ahmed as South Woodford were reduced to 30-3 off twelve overs, virtually ending the game as a contest. By the time the fielding restrictions were removed their opposition had scored less than half of Brentwood's score at the same point. Paul Degg and Pountney were then brought into the attack and hammered home Brentwood's advantage, producing good spells and each picking up a wicket. Osborne then returned to grab his third wicket, and was undoubtedly the pick of the bowlers on the day.

The game then started to drift as Brentwood appeared to be certain winners and South Woodford's batsmen appearing to want some early season batting practice, but Harri Jones and Gul Muwas were able to each pick up wickets. Jones was then able to prevent South Woodford getting a fourth bonus point with a tight last over.

It was a true all round performance, with all batsmen scoring runs and all the bowlers taking at least one wicket, and it now leaves captain Walford with a pleasant selection dilemma as Brentwood are expecting the arrival of Sri Lankan overseas player Kusun Bodhisha this week and the availability of Essex 2s player Aaron West following his 150 for Brentwood School on Saturday.

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16th May

Woodford Wells 1st XI - 179 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 182-7
Brentwood won by 3 wickets

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood made it two wins out of two in the Shepherd Neame Premier Division with eighteen year old Max Osborne once again to the fore.

Captain Jon Walford won the toss, and following the rain during the week, instantly asked newly promoted Woodford Wells to bat.

Whilst Jahid Ahmed struggled to adapt to the conditions, his first three overs going for 30 runs, Osborne was immediately into his stride. Hitting his areas, and with some movement in the air and off the pitch, he deserved his figures of 7-3-11-2 from his opening spell, including the wickets of both openers caught behind the wicket.

Whilst the Wells' openers showed significant intent, the medium pace of Gul Muwas and Aaron West gave the batsmen little opportunity to move the score along. West's occasional bowling also managed to pick up three wickets, including the dangerous Rob Leiper, caught in keeper Ben Cocklin's midriff. Whilst Muwas was unlucky not to pick up any wickets, his allocation of 10 overs went for just over two runs an over.

With Woodford Wells in trouble at 86-5, Brentwood were able to go on the attack and re-introduced Ahmed, who was far tighter in his second spell, picking up two wickets, including a brilliant diving catch from Sam Poutney, who enjoyed a fine day in the field. At 118-8, Brentwood were hoping to wrap things up quickly, but number nine, Dean Majeed had other ideas getting the top score of the game, 42, at over a run a ball. It was left to the late introduction of Harry Jones to wrap up the innings. At the start of the innings, Brentwood would have been happy with the score of 179, although given the perilous state of Wells' innings, it was probably 40 runs more than it should have been.

Brentwood were looking extremely comfortable as openers Walford and West moved along at over four runs an over without too much trouble, with West in particular brutal form at anything vaguely loose. Their partnership of 49 was broken up when West was trapped leg before in front to Thisanayagam. Redwood came to the wicket and immediately looked to continue his form from the previous week. However, Walford, Redwood and Ayres fell for the loss of just five runs, the latter fairly uniquely out picking up the ball as it was rolling back towards his stumps.

Brentwood's innings then followed a fairly similar pattern to their opponents as Richard Walford and Poutney began a re-building job, but just as Walford looked to have found his rhythm he fell, clipping a leg stump half volley straight into the hands of square leg.

This brought Ahmed to join Poutney, whose hundred partnership last week came in eleven overs. However, this week their job was very different with 75 required from seventeen overs. Watchful at first, Ahmed in particular began accelerating as the rate started to go over four runs per over. However, just as Brentwood looked to have everything under control, both Ahmed and Poutney fell without a run being added. With the game in the balance, it was left to two of the bowling heroes, Muwas and Osborne to finish things off, Osborne hitting two sixes in his nine balls, including a big straight hit to finish the game off.

The win leaves only themselves and Gidea Park and Romford with 100% winning records, something Brentwood will strive to maintain as they take on last year's champions and favourites to retain their title, Wanstead.

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23rd May

Brentwood 1st XI - 278-7
Wanstead and Snaresbrook 1st XI - 238 all out
Brentwood won by 40 runs

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood moved to the top of the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League with a convincing victory over reigning champions Wanstead. Other results meant that Brentwood are now the only side in the division with a 100% winning record.

Brentwood made a promising start to their innings, although Essex starlet Maurice Chambers was looking dangerous as he steamed in from the Golf Course End. However, Brentwood were able to score at a good rate and when Aaron West was the first wicket to fall in the twelfth over, the opening partnership was just one run shy of a deserved fifty.

Brentwood then went through a sticky period and the next eight overs produced 29 runs but for the loss of a further three wickets, including Jon Walford who looked in top form hitting nine fours in his 44, before he left one that swung back dramatically.

That left Brentwood looking in a spot of bother at 79-4, but it was Brentwood's all-rounders who really set up the victory. Sam Poutney and Jahid Ahmed have already had partnerships of 107 and 54 this season, but this 127 partnership at over a run a ball was arguably the best of the lot. With highly contrasting styles, Poutney was content in nudging the ball around, picking up singles at regular intervals, whilst Ahmed was far more forceful, hitting twelve fours and one six in his 86 and scoring in excess of a run a ball.

However when both batsmen fell in the space of two overs, it looked as though Brentwood might have to settle for a slightly lower total. Max Osborne had other ideas though as he set about the experienced Wanstead attack. His first fifty for the club came in just 29 balls and included an enormous six over the pavilion, whilst Gul Muwas provided solid support, enabling Osborne to have the majority of the strike.

Although, Wanstead would require over 5½ runs an over, a quick outfield and strong looking line-up, Brentwood knew that they would have to bowl well to win the game. Not for the first time, openers Osborne and Ahmed hit their straps straight away. Osborne's seven overs went for only 19 runs, whilst Ahmed picked up three wickets, including the crucial scalps of captain Arfan Akram and John Chambers.

Adnan Akram and Daniel Walters were able to rebuild the innings as they recovered from 27-3. Their 97 run partnership brought them right back into the game, but the introduction of Sam Poutney to partner spin twin Harry Jones brought immediate dividends as he broke the partnership in his first over. Two more wickets quickly followed, all in the same manner, caught at long off by Osborne.

Although Christopher Laas counter-attacked effectively scoring 70 at well over a run a ball, wickets were falling at regular intervals and Brentwood always looked in control of the game. Poutney deservedly wrapped up the game claiming his sixth wicket with the scalp of Laas.

Brentwood now need to ensure they maintain the momentum built up over the past few weeks and face second placed Gidea Park and Romford next week in a further test of their credentials.

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30th May

Brentwood 1st XI - 293-5
Gidea Park & Romford 1st XI - 155 all out
Brentwood won by 138 runs

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood had arguably their most complete performance of the season, as they dismantled Gidea Park, who started the day in second place, behind Brentwood.

Brentwood lost the toss and were invited to bat on what looked like a good wicket and made a solid, if unspectacular start as openers Jon Walford and Aaron West manoeuvred through the fielding restrictions at just under four runs an over. However, just as the acceleration looked imminent, Brentwood lost Walford for 34.

Former Gidea Park player, James Redwood came to the wicket and started off very watchful, and after 20 balls had only managed to score two runs, but with West accelerating the score continued to tick over. When Redwood hit his first boundary he appeared to break out of his shackles, and with West in destructive mood the two former Brentwood School boys registered their 100 partnership in just over 18 overs.

The wickets of West and Redwood fell in quick succession for 80 and 65 respectively. However, this brought the in-form Jahid Ahmed and Phil Ayres to the wicket. Both scored at well over a run a ball, with Ayres' 17-ball 31 particularly impressive. When Ahmed fell with less than four overs to go, it gave Max Osborne the opportunity to demonstrate his belligerent hitting and an 11 ball unbeaten 24 certainly did this.

Brentwood added exactly a hundred in the last ten overs, set up by the solid start Brentwood had. Such acceleration augurs well for the newly rebranded Brentwood Buccaneers Twenty20 campaign, beginning on 18th June at the OCG against Orsett.

Certainly not for the first time this season, Brentwood's opposition, faced by a huge total, would realise just how tough their task would be as openers Ahmed and Osborne reduced Gidea Park to 42-4, and virtually killing the game as a contest.

Following the removal of the fielding restrictions, Harri Jones and Gul Muwas were introduced to the attack, with both picking up two wickets apiece, including the dangerous Leigh Davey and Aslam Ali, with more than tidy economy rates into the bargain.

Walford then re-introduced Ahmed and Osborne into the attack in an effort to finish off the game and this was achieved as they picked up a wicket each, finishing with figures of 3-21 for Essex professional Ahmed and 3-42 for young Essex tyro Osborne.

Next week Brentwood complete their first part of the 50 over competition where they will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the season against Colchester.

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6th June

Brentwood 1st XI - 91 all out
Colchester & East Essex 1st XI - 93-5
Colchester & East Essex won by 5 wickets

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood were brought down to earth with a thump, after their 100% winning start to their Shepherd Neame Essex Premier Division season ended resoundingly at the hands of Colchester.

Brentwood might try to pin their failures on a surprisingly poor Brentwood wicket, or the fact that three of Brentwood's top six were missing, but put simply, Brentwood gave away cheap wickets too often and had enough quality in their side to post a competitive total.

In fairness to Colchester, opening bowlers Ben Stephens and Gareth Fisher bowled immaculate opening spells, with barely a bad ball between them, whilst also swinging the ball in the overcast conditions. In fact, Stephens did not concede a single run in his first six overs.

Of the top seven, only Phil Ayres managed to get into double figures with his 42, but whilst he was able to grind out his score, wickets were tumbling at the other end and Brentwood could not put together any sort of a partnership. The difference between Ayres and any other batsman was in fact remarkable as he put away any of the rare bad balls, whilst remaining resolute in defence.

Upon the fall of Ayres' wicket, he was replaced by Ben Cocklin, who not for the first time in his very long Brentwood career, needed to come to Brentwood's rescue. He was unbeaten with 22, but was unable to find any support from the tail, almost all of whom gave away their wickets totally unnecessarily. Brentwood still had 7 of their allocated overs unused, and if they had managed to use them up, just going at three runs an over, the game could have been totally different.

Max Osborne, missing his usual opening partner of Jahid Ahmed due to being on Essex duty, took the role of senior bowler in his stride, and managed to fashion the wickets of the dangerous Julian Russell and Nathan O'Brien through a very hostile opening spell. His new ball partner, Gul Muwas, bowled an extremely tidy spell, and deserved his two wickets as he used his variations to great effect.

With the game in the balance, captain Jon Walford introduced spin from both ends. Despite the low number of overs bowled on the surface, Harri Jones and Ian Belchamber were able to extract prodigious spin, troubling the Colchester batsmen. However, crucially Joe Austin was dropped three times in the space of three overs, and although each was only a half-chance, those need to be taken with a score of only 91 on the board. Even the re-introduction of Osborne could not bring about a wicket. Austin ended the innings unbeaten on 40 and crucially found support from Fisher at the other end.

By virtue of the 2 points Brentwood earned in the field, they remain top of the league, but now with a pack led by league champions Wanstead hunting them down. Brentwood must make amends, starting at local rivals Ardleigh Green next week, when the format reverts to the 120 over format Brentwood have historically played in the league.

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13th June

Ardleigh Green 1st XI - 125 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 130-1
Brentwood won by 9 wickets

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood welcomed Sri Lankan overseas star Kasun Bodhisha to these isles, and he played a starring role as Brentwood returned to form with a comprehensive win over local rivals Ardleigh Green. The win extends Brentwood's lead at the top of the table to 11 points over their nearest challengers.

Brentwood were asked to bowl first on what looked like a good track. Despite the aggressiveness of Paul Hurworth and Farid Butt at the top of the order, it was not long before Bodhisha was involved as he caught the dangerous Butt out in the deep off Max Osborne.

Osborne continued to bowl an immaculate spell up the hill, gaining prodigious amounts of swing. It was this swing that was the undoing of Hurworth and Shanka Gunalan, with the young Essex 2s player having the fine figures of 4-3-1-3 at one point.

At the other end, Jahid Ahmed was unable to maintain the same levels of economy, but he had a massive role as he removed the dangerous Roy Smith with some fierce fast bowling.

With Ardleigh Green reduced to 71-5, Australian Jacob Thompson and Ananda Krishnan started to put together a partnership, with Krishnan moving along at over a run a ball. At this point Jon Walford introduced the spin pairing of Bodhisha and Ian Belchamber. Despite the lack of turn in the pitch, Bodhisha's control in particular stifled the Ardleigh Green pair and they were forced to take risks if they wanted to maintain their impressive scoring rates. Belchamber was able to not only break this partnership, but also pick up both these wickets in the same over.

The "spin twins" were able to grab the final three wickets before lunch, as Ardleigh Green were bowled out for 125 in just 34 overs, with the last five wickets going down for just two runs.

This gave Brentwood a mammoth 86 overs to bat, so Brentwood could proceed at their own pace. Watchful at first, Brentwood's opening partnership of Walford and James Redwood proceeded to 34 off the first ten overs before Redwood fell to a sharp caught and bowled chance to James Wyatt. This brought Bodhisha to the wicket. He was less watchful, as on only his third ball in the country, he moved smartly down the wicket to ease leg spinner Ricky Gill straight down the ground with an immaculate drive.

From that moment, Bodhisha and Walford were in complete control, moving the ball into gaps at will. Walford moved to his fifty first off just 69 balls, but Bodhisha rapidly caught and overtook him as he scored his fifty in just 39 deliveries and their unbeaten ninety run partnership which saw Brentwood home, came in just fifteen overs.

It was an impressive start from the Sri Lankan who had arrived in the country just 36 hours before, and Brentwood will be hoping for more of the same as they take on Upminster at the Old County Ground next Saturday.

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20th June

Upminster 1st XI - 248-9
Brentwood 1st XI - 249-3
Brentwood won by 7 wickets

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Kasun Bodhisha maintained his impressive start to his Brentwood career with a brilliant unbeaten 123 to see Brentwood make it six wins out of seven and extend their lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier Division.

It was a truly superb innings by Bodhisha whose arrival in the UK was delayed by visa problems in his native Sri Lanka. He was able to manoeuvre the Upminster bowling, seemingly at will, with his ability to play the Upminster spinners the most impressive aspect.

The Brentwood deck was unusually green, and Jon Walford had no hesitation when he asked Upminster to bat upon winning the toss. Despite the green tinge, the early signs were that it was a good wicket as openers Max Osborne and Jahid Ahmed made life difficult for the Upminster opening batsmen. Although they were unable to make the breakthrough Brentwood were able to restrict their opposition to just 33-2 from the first 19 overs with change bowler Gulfraz Muwas picking up both the wickets.

Jahid Ahmed

It was upon the introduction of Alan Ison at number four that some impetus was provided to the Upminster innings, but his crucial dismissal by Bodhisha, caught sharply by Ahmed at midwicket once again put Brentwood in control. At the lunch break, Upminster were in trouble at 120-5 from 39 overs.

It may well have been a case of too much lasagne and cheesecake, but Brentwood post-lunch were sluggish in the field and let slip their momentum, and with Harry Jenkins being particularly hard to displace, Brentwood would have to work to get their wickets. He found some good support from Terry Wyatt and Nick O'Dell as he made his 78 before being dismissed in the 57th over by Ahmed.

The momentum of the innings changed in the final over as Ollie Peck swung his way to 16 from the last six balls, although he could not quite take Upminster to the final batting point, falling just two runs short.

That momentum was carried through as James Redwood fell with the score on just ten, however this merely brought Bodhisha to join Walford and they continued on from last week's unbeaten 96 run partnership. Even the introduction of Naeem Iqbal, Upminster's classy overseas off-spinner could not halt Brentwood's progress as they each moved to their fifties.

Their partnership was just two shy of 150 when Walford fell, leg before to the bowling of Shafiq Rahman. However, Phil Ayres carried on where Walford left, but that wicket merely inspired Bodhisha. He accelerated to bring up his second fifty in just 40 balls, which meant his hundred came at exactly a run a ball. Iqbal meanwhile was left wicketless from his nineteen overs that went at over 4 1/2 runs an over.

Brentwood's chase finished, despite the stiff target, with seven wickets intact and seven overs to go and with previous closest rivals Wanstead losing, it now means Brentwood currently lead the Premier League by 26 points. However, it will be crucial that Brentwood maintain their ruthless form when they take on 2006 League Champions Hainault and Clayhall.

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4th July

Chelmsford 1st XI - 240 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 242-5
Brentwood won by 5 wickets

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood extended their lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League with a comfortable five wicket win over second placed Chelmsford, with Brentwood's overseas star Kasun Bodisha once again to the fore.

Going into the game, Brentwood had just a five point lead at the top of the table, following the abandonment of their game against Hainault, and wins for the chasing pack, making their game against Chelmsford absolutely crucial. Things started well when, having been asked to field, Brentwood's Max Osborne, who is currently the Premier League's leading wicket taker, added to his tally when he picked up the wicket of Chris Prowting in his first over.

With Osborne and teenage debutant Tom Moore bowling very tightly, Chelmsford's pair of Matt Thurston and Nick Prowting were restricted to quick singles. Whilst their running between the wickets was excellent, the opening bowlers gave very few opportunities for the Chelmsford batsmen play aggressively, and the first fourteen overs only conceded two boundaries. Moore's seven over opening spell showed much promise, conceding only 18 runs.

Following the completion of the teenagers opening spells, spin was introduced in the shape of Harri Jones and Ian Belchamber. Although both were able to find prodigious turn on occasions, the Chelmsford batsmen were also able to start finding the boundary. Brentwood were in need of a breakthrough as the partnership moved past the hundred in the 28th over and they found it when Belchamber had Thurston caught at midwicket by Moore.

Captain Jon Walford decided to introduce some more left arm spin with Bodisha joining the attack and his accuracy stifled the number of boundaries. Going into the luncheon interval, the game was evenly poised at 158-3 off 44 overs.

Brentwood CC 1st XI

Brentwood have occasionally been accused of being slack after lunch, but that was not to be the case on this occasion with Bodisha and Osborne picking up wickets anytime a partnership looked dangerous. Brentwood were still looking for the crucial wicket of the elder Prowting brother, when on taking another quick single, he was run out with a direct hit by captain Walford for 86.

It was left to Bodisha and Belchamber to wrap up the final wickets, with the former the star of the show, picking up his four wickets at just over two and a half runs per over. Brentwood were confident of chasing down the 240 total set by Chelmsford given the good nature of the pitch, although there were two disappointing aspects to the innings.

Firstly, Brentwood's experienced wicket keeper, Ben Cocklin will require an X-Ray on a suspected broken finger that could put him out of action for several weeks, and secondly despite their young side with seven players under 24, Brentwood were let down with some of their ground fielding, costing arguably as much as thirty runs.

Their chase got off to a good start with Walford and Aaron West looking in good form, but when Walford was out for 22, it brought Bodisha to the crease and he immediately set about the Chelmsford attack. With West finding the boundary at regular intervals, the two brought up a hundred partnership in just twelve overs. Bodisha's fifty came in only 31 deliveries, with only four scoring shots not finding the boundary. The innings will be remembered for two shots - firstly a glorious cover drive on the up followed the next ball with a hook shot that would not have looked out of place on the courts of the All England Club.

West, who earlier this week broke England opener Alistair Cook's all time public school scoring record representing Brentwood School, fell just four runs shy of a deserved fifty, but James Redwood, who had earlier taken over the wicket keeping duties from Cocklin, also came to the crease intent on finding the boundary.

Bodisha eventually fell, skying a catch to Kamran Ali, for 90 which came from only 57 balls. With 71 runs still required, Brentwood still had a lot of work to do. The 59 run partnership between Redwood and Richard Walford was vital, and although Redwood fell to a delivery that kept low, their partnership pretty much sealed Chelmsford's fate. The elder Walford brother finished the game with a four to finish unbeaten on 32.

The win extends Brentwood's lead to 20 points, but with champions Wanstead visiting the Old County Ground next week, Brentwood will need to be on top form if they want to extend that lead.

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11th July

Brentwood 1st XI - 286-7
Wanstead 1st XI - 92-2
Match Abandoned

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

What could have potentially been an enthralling Shepherd Neame Premier League match was ruined by the typical British summer, as a persistent rain shower at tea forced the game to be abandoned.

With Brentwood having posted a large total of 286-7, built around a brilliant 152 from Jonathan Walford, League Champions and title chasing Wanstead were very much in the hunt at 92-2 from just 16 overs, with Arfan Akram looking particularly good, unbeaten on 60.

Standing: Richard Walford, Sam Pountney, Harri Jones, Tom Moore
Max Osborne, Jahid Ahmed, Kasun Bodhisha

Sitting: Aaron West, James Redwood, Jon Walford Captain
Ian Belchamber, Ben Cocklin

The Brentwood innings was formed around the first individual score in excess of 150 Brentwood have scored since joining the Premier League. Walford received strong support from Aaron West, who continued his recent good form with 74 in an opening partnership just three runs shy of 150. Walford's effort was even better considering it was a chanceless knock that was only ended by a run out in the final over as well as the fact that Wanstead's attack included young Essex and England U19 pace duo Maurice Chambers and Mervyn Westfield, as well as former Pakistan Test player Shahid Saeed and former first class left arm spinner Mohammed Fayyaz.

In reply, although Wanstead lost John Chambers in the first over, the game was very much in the balance as the score moved along in excess of six an over. Whilst the rain does mean Brentwood, whose side incredibly contained just three players older than 24, maintain their twenty point advantage at the top of the Premier League, but obviously the result was very disappointing for all involved as the expectations of a close game were high.

Next week Brentwood take on Woodford Wells at Brentwood's Old County Ground.

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18th July

Woodford Wells 1st XI - 241-8
Brentwood 1st XI - 234-9
Match Drawn

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood missed an opportunity to open up a significant lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League as they held on for a draw against Woodford Wells.

Brentwood will feel that they had more than one opportunity to seize an initiative that would seal victory, but ended the game thankful to 16 year old Ronnie Saunders, who, on his debut, held out to ensure Brentwood got the three points for a draw.

Given the weather conditions over the course of the week, Jon Walford was delighted to have won the toss and immediately asked Woodford Wells to bat first.

A tight opening spell from teenagers Max Osborne and Tom Moore kept a lid on the Wells' run scoring, but neither could manage the break through. It was the introduction of the more seasoned Gulfraz Muwas that brought the first wicket in his first over, before removing the second opening batsman in his second over.

With Muwas producing exaggerated movement and bounce, and the introduction of Kasun Bodhisha from the other end, Brentwood looked to get on top of their newly promoted opposition. However, the experienced pair of Rob Leiper and Will Rogers held firm and the game was evenly poised at the lunch break.

When Brentwood removed both batsmen with the score on 146, Leiper for a watchful 62, Brentwood appeared firmly in command. However, a combination of poor fielding, good batting from Rory Ellison in particular, and a little luck, Woodford Wells were able to edge their total forwards.

A total of eight dropped catches allowed Wells to compose a competitive total of 241.

Brentwood's innings started solidly enough, with Aaron West and Jon Walford finding boundaries at regular intervals. When West was dismissed, Bodhisha continued his recent impressive form, being particularly punishing by taking 17 off Essex 2s starlet Rishabh Shah's only over. At 87-1, Brentwood were looking very comfortable.

However the loss of Bodhisha followed by James Redwood soon after put some pressure on Richard Walford, to join his brother, Jon. The pair put on 55 for the fourth wicket, before younger brother Jon, off the back of his unbeaten 152 the week before, fell for another impressive 73.

Brentwood's chase was held back by the impressive Ellison, who followed up his batting with a very tight spell of off spin that proved tough to score off at regular intervals.

A further 50 partnership ensued between the remaining Walford and Osborne. The latter was at his belligerent best, with the young fast bowler scoring 39 from just 32 deliveries, including three enormous sixes.

However, with just twenty runs required from five overs, Brentwood lost four wickets for six runs to put the Wells in charge of the game. They had six deliveries at the teenage Saunders, but he held firm to earn Brentwood what could be a valuable three extra points, and nine in total.

As captain Walford said, "We had more than one opportunity to seize control of the game, but not for the first time it was probably our fielding that gifted our opposition around thirty bonus runs. Although we dropped numerous half chances, in the end that may have cost us. It is disappointing as our fielding in the Twenty 20 is generally superb."

The draw maintains Brentwood's advantage at the top of the Shepherd Neame Premier Division of 19 points, but Brentwood will hope for a return to winning ways at South Woodford next week.

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25th July

Brentwood 1st XI - 202 all out
South Woodford 1st XI - 143 all out
Brentwood won by 59 runs

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood produced an outstanding display in the field to record a 25 point win against South Woodford to open up a 32 point lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League.

Following on from the previous week, when Brentwood dropped eight chances, albeit, mostly half chances, and arguably gifted their opposition 30 crucial runs, it was a great turn around, led by Aaron West, who claimed three top class catches.

Captain Jon Walford was asked to bat on a green strip, but apart from a damp patch outside the left-handers off stump, a wicket that was expected to play consistently. That lost toss was looking important when the inform Walford, who had hit 230 runs in his last two innings, gloved a lifting delivery from Nick Browne, the leg-spinner who had been asked to open the bowling.

That brought overseas star Kasun Bodisha to the wicket. Alongside West, they set about the South Woodford attack and quickly hit Carl Greenidge, the former Gloucestershire quick bowler and son of West Indian legend Gordon, out of the attack.

The pair raced to a fifty partnership and at 82-1 off 15 overs, Brentwood were looking set for a big total and possibly an early declaration. However, change bowlers Pratik Acharya and Harry Shirt were able to slow the run rate to some extent, and Acharya was also able to pick up the crucial wicket of West, caught sharply by Max Shirt.

This led to a period where Brentwood put on five successive partnerships between 17 and 30 runs, with Bodisha being the fourth wicket to fall for 60 runs.

The main instigator of this pressure was Richard Browne who managed to find exaggerated turn and bounce, making life particularly tricky for Brentwood's left-handers, finishing with 3-31 from eleven overs.

In the end, Brentwood were bowled out for 202 in the 56th over, someway short of where they wanted to be, meaning South Woodford had 64 overs to potentially score the runs required.

At 36-0 Brentwood were looking in trouble, as Mario Jayasuryia set about the Brentwood attack. However, Bodisha picked up that crucial wicket with the help of West. A top edged sweep went spiralling into the air to deep backward square leg. West had around 25 metres to make up, and with a full length dive managed to pluck the ball inches off the ground for a spectacular and no less important catch. The very next ball, Max Osborne yorked captain Rizz Akram to give Brentwood another crucial scalp.

Those two wickets led to Brentwood inducing a collapse of epic proportions as South Woodford went from 36-0 to 52-7 in the space of nine overs, with Ian Belchamber's left arm spin picking up 4-10 off his first three overs, and two more catches for West.

The first of these catches rivalled his catch in the deep. This time fielding close to the bat, a slow loopy delivery from Belchamber was struck firmly by Asher Gilani and West instinctively stuck out his left arm to catch the ball one handed. His third catch would, on an ordinary day be considered very good, but by the standards he set, his low diving catch was average at best.

South Woodford were able to regroup at tea at 61-7 and the pair of Max Shirt and Acharya looked little troubled after the break. Walford swapped around his bowlers, but until Bodisha's re-introduction, the game was in the balance. When the Sri Lankan had Acharya sharply caught behind by James Redwood, the game was back in Brentwood's control at 122-8.

Belchamber picked up his fifth wicket when he had Carl Greenidge caught behind, and Walford was now able to attack at will to try to eke out the final wicket with only the Shirt brothers at the wicket.

In the end it was a classy slower ball from Osborne that just clipped the top of the stumps that did for Harry Shirt and the 25 points were Brentwood's. Max Shirt was left undefeated on 38.

Whilst Belchamber finished with 5-36 from his 12 overs, Bodisha more than played his part with 3-27 from 19 overs, including two crucial partnership breaking wickets. If ever an example of the cliché "Catches win matches" applied, this would be a great example to show.

Brentwood will need to continue this form in the field when they take on Gidea Park and Romford next Saturday at the Old County Ground, Brentwood.

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1st August

Brentwood 1st XI - 277-1 declared
Gidea Park & Romford 1st XI - 94-1
Match Abandoned

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood's hopes of extending their lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League were ended on Saturday by the rain just before tea, with all four results very much a possibility.

To say things started well for Brentwood would be a massive understatement. Asked to bat on a fairly hard wicket that had an even covering of grass, the opening partnership of Aaron West and Jonathan Walford, not only saw off the opening attack, but also found the boundary at very regular intervals, getting full value from the rapid outfield at the Old County Ground. This led Gidea Park to introduce the experienced pair of Russell Collard and Ali Aslam, in the twelfth and fifteenth over respectively.

Whilst this curtailed Brentwood's run rate, the two batsmen were well set and starting to look towards big individual scores.

West, having raced to 40 quickly, outscoring his partner two to one, but was then caught by Walford, but the eighteen year old West still reached his fifty first, before his captain joined him soon after.

A rain shower led to lunch being taken twenty minutes early, with the score stood at 172-0 in the 34th over. With no time being lost to that shower, Brentwood were looking towards a big total and an early declaration. Walford and West continued where they left off after the rain break, West reaching his maiden Premier League hundred first off 132 balls and Walford followed this up with his second ton of the season. Walford has now scored 357 runs in his last four knocks to underline his class.

Another shower with the score at 243-0 saw eight overs of the game lost. Brentwood looked to push the score along and scored 34 from the next five overs, losing Walford in the process. Their 259 run opening partnership is the highest league partnership by two Brentwood batsmen in recent memory and one of the highest ever in the upper echelons of league cricket.

Walford took the brave move to declare after just 49 overs, potentially giving Gidea Park 72 overs, although this was unlikely given the weather forecast.

Things looked good for Brentwood when Max Osborne picked up his 26th wicket of the league season by forcing Hasibul Hoq to snick one behind to James Redwood.

However, Collard and Brian Kulasena started to attack Brentwood's bowlers, with Kulasena particularly aggressive off the front foot, ending up 42 unbeaten from 33 balls.

A further persistent shower finally killed off the game just before tea with the game poised at 94-1. With showers elsewhere in Essex, very little has changed at the top of the Premier League, and with five games left, Brentwood lead by 31 points.

Next week is the final all day game before the format reverts to the fifty over format. The game is against Colchester, who are one of the chasing group of four teams. They are also the only side who have beaten Brentwood in the league this season, so there is no chance of Brentwood underestimating their opponents on this occasion.

Jon Walford and Aaron West

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8th August

Colchester 1st XI - 226 all out
Brentwood 1st XI - 228-3
Brentwood won by 7 wickets

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood head into the switchover to fifty over cricket with a 31 point lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League thanks to a convincing win over Colchester who had started the day in fourth place.

It was a brilliant all round performance that started with Jon Walford losing the toss on a typical flat Castle Park wicket and was asked to field first.

Brentwood's opening attack of Jahid Ahmed and Max Osborne found the placid nature of the pitch hard work, but provided very few balls with which Colchester's batsmen could find the boundary. Their patience was rewarded when Ahmed, whose spell of ten overs went for a measly twelve runs, found the edge of Gareth Fisher's bat to be caught behind by veteran wicketkeeper Ben Cocklin, on his return from a broken finger.

Once Osborne, whose form has been recognised by the county with a professional contract, completed his spell, he was replaced by Kasun Bodisha and this led to a different approach from the Colchester batsmen who looked to get after the Sri Lankan from the start, swiftly moving men away from the bat.

However, Bodisha got his reward when, first he had Nathan O'Brien brilliantly caught by Harri Jones, with a diving catch as the ball travelled over his shoulder. Then he had the dangerous Julian Russell caught sharply at short midwicket by Jon Walford.

With Colchester consolidating their innings, firstly Ian Belchamber and then Sam Pountney were brought into the attack. Pountney was the first to strike, catching Joe Bartnett leg before, and then the very next over Belchamber had Joe Austin trapped in the same manner with the last ball before lunch.

Those two dismissals changed the course of the innings as Colchester looked to ensure they batted for the full 64 overs and Brentwood were now in control of the innings, with Pountney and Belchamber offering little loose deliveries.

They still managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals, with Belchamber adding a further three, including two top draw catches from fellow left arm spinners Pountney and Bodisha.

Bodisha himself was brought back into the attack and picked up a further two, including Colchester's big hitting captain Andrew Kennedy.

In the end both sides felt that Colchester's total was at least fifty below par given the wicket and the very fast outfield, but Walford looked like he wanted to show even that would not have been enough.

Brentwood's captain, who had been ill all week, absolutely raced into the forties with a flurry of boundaries, leaving Aaron West in single digits at the same time. What were genuinely good deliveries were still getting punished with boundaries to underline how good his form with the bat is at the moment.

Even when Kennedy put men on the boundary, Walford's timing was so good those men were not even able to get near the ball let alone save runs.

West was not to be outdone though, and the teenager soon began to find the boundary himself and the pair set about following up the previous week's 259 run partnership with another large score.

However, with Walford set fair for his second consecutive ton, he fell to Austin for 85 in a 150 run partnership.

This brought Bodisha to the wicket, and he clearly wanted to finish the game early. He struck 26 off just ten deliveries in a 59 run partnership with West.

Given Bodisha's scoring rate , it must almost have been a relief for West when he was dismissed, as it was almost a danger that West might be left stranded in he 90s. West brought up his second Premier League hundred on the trot ending up unbeaten on 110 from just 114 balls. All the more impressive is that West has now scored 252 runs in two completely chanceless innings.

It was left to Pountney to score the winning runs in the 35th over, with 21 overs of the game left to play for a truly impressive victory.

Next week, Brentwood take on Hainault and Clayhall in fifty over cricket. Hainault have been in impressive form particularly with the bat of late, and with Pakistan legend, Abdul Qadir's son in the line up, who made an unbeaten double century in the two teams last encounter, Brentwood are able to take nothing for granted.

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15th August

Brentwood 1st XI - 306-8
Hainault & Clayhall 1st XI - 149 all out
Brentwood won by 156 runs

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood moved a step closer to securing the Shepherd Neame Premier League title with a convincing win over Hainault and Clayhall. With results elsewhere going well for the top of the table side, Brentwood extended their lead to 45 points.

It was a performance noted for outstanding displays with bat and ball by the fast ball pair of Jahid Ahmed and Max Osborne, with Ahmed turning in his finest display for the club to date.

Brentwood, who had elected to bat, had high hopes from opening pair of Aaron West and Jon Walford who had recorded partnerships of 240 and 150 in the past two weeks. However, Walford, who had required medical treatment during the week and was still feeling those effects, had a rare failure as he top edged a delivery from Basil Akram to be caught at third man.

However, this brought Sri Lankan Kasun Bodisha, and alongside West looked to hit boundaries at regular intervals, to the extent that Hainault had required the use of five different bowlers in the first eight overs. It was only the introduction of spin pairing Samir Qadir and Irfan Shah that curtailed Brentwood's run scoring.

Bodisha fell, looking to go over the top to Shah and not getting sufficient height to clear mid on. In order to ensure Brentwood had wickets in hand at the end of the innings, the partnership of James Redwood and West went along at a slightly more sedate pace.

West, who has been in the form of his life of late, having scored 480 runs for Brentwood with only one dismissal in the last four weeks, looked set for another large score, until he was adjudged caught behind for 62 from just 64 balls.

Richard Walford and Redwood then produced a partnership that ensured Brentwood had a platform to score heavily over the final few overs. With wickets in hand, but looking set for solid but unspectacular score, Ahmed looked to turn the course of the game. Combining clever running, particularly whilst batting with Sam Pountney, and some lusty blows, he moved the score well past what would have been considered par, as well as moving past his third half century of the innings.

Once Pountney fell, he was joined by fellow big hitter Osborne, who also went after the Hainault attack. Osborne fell for 26 from just 16 balls, but a cameo from Ben Cocklin ensured the score moved past 300. Ahmed was out to the last ball of the innings for 82, made from only 46 delivieres.

Whilst this score was above par, with Hainault's strong batting line up, it was important Brentwood took the momentum from their batting into the field. Ahmed ensured this was done when he clean bowled Dominic Hurst with a delivery that nipped back a good few inches to clip the top of the off stump.

This momentum continued as Ahmed picked up a further three wickets in his ten over spell, including two bowling both dangermen Shah and Qadir with deliveries shaping away before nipping back into the batsmen.

Osborne was not to be outdone either and he also picked up two wickets in his opening spell reducing Hainault to 46-6, effectively ending the game as a contest. Ahmed's ten over spell that picked up the four wickets went for just 32 runs.

Yasin Patel and Idris Patel set about rebuilding the total, but the damage was already done. The score was allowed to move along to 149 before Max Osborne finished the game catching Ryan Hurst leg before to end with 3-21.

It was another thoroughly convincing win for the League leaders and means a victory against second placed Chelmsford next week will wrap up the title.

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22nd August

Brentwood 1st XI - 288-8
Chelmsford 1st XI - 202 all out
Brentwood won by 86 runs

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood's 86 run victory over second placed Chelmsford on Saturday ensured their first ever Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League trophy.

The size of their victory reflected the dominance Brentwood have held in a league they have led since the very first game of the season. Of all the games Brentwood have completed in the league so far, they have won all but two. Brentwood are now top by a whopping 56 points with two more games left in the season.

In fact, the league deciding game had a very familiar ring to it. An excellent solid opening start, allowing the lower middle order allrounders freedom to play their shots and a very powerful finish completing a large total, with the opening seam bowling attack killing the game off early with early wickets at little cost, and then spin finishing the game off. In this instance it was Sam Pountney's allround skills that helped Brentwood to victory.

Watched by a large away support that included almost half the Life Vice Presidents of the club, the solid start was provided by the top four of Jon Walford, Aaron West, Kasun Bodisha and James Redwood. Each got off to a start, but perhaps surprisingly none really kicked on to a big score, with Walford's innings and quest for 1,000 league runs being curtailed by a misunderstanding with West that led to a runout.

Brentwood could potentially have been in a spot of bother at 114-4, but confidence appears so high that players were still able to play their shots.

Pountney came in and scored 55 at just under a run-a-ball. His partnerships with Jahid Ahmed have been a joy to watch all season, and this was no exception as their clever running and big hitting moved the game on in Brentwood's favour. Their partnership put Brentwood back in control of their innings, and allowed Max Osborne to come in and play his natural game, which involved hitting the ball a very long way. Off the back of his first county 2nd XI fifty, his quickfire 38 ensured Brentwood would have a large total to defend. Ben Cocklin then provided the coup de grâce with a cheeky cameo that involved an all run four to backward point.

Brentwood's opening attack of Osborne and Ahmed has undoubtedly been the best in the league this season, and they have dominated opening batsmen. Whilst on this occasion, they did not pick up their usual large hauls, their economy rates ensured the run rate was only climbing towards seven runs per over.

The introduction of spinners Bodisha and Harri Jones further tied Chelmsford up, with Jones producing his best spell of the season, picking up the two crucial wickets of Kamran Ali and Rob Hayto, the latter producing a superb cameo that had would have had Brentwood very worried should it have continued much longer.

Nick Prowting was the batsman who looked most likely to take the game to Brentwood, much as he did in the previous fixture at the Old County Ground. However, he was out to Pountney's second delivery as the left arm spinner beat Prowting in the flight for 72.

Pountney carried on taking wickets, taking 4-14 from just four overs. With the re-introduction of Bodisha it never looked like Chelmsford were going to get close to Brentwood's total and the league leaders started to put men closer to the bat to try to win the league in style.

It was Bodisha who picked up the final wicket, fittingly caught by captain Jon Walford, who has been one of the main figureheads for Brentwood's push to this title.

It would probably be fair to say that every single player in the squad has put in a performance that has allowed Brentwood to win a game. That match winning ability will be important as Brentwood head into the last two games. There will be no opportunity of taking things easy as Brentwood look for two more wins to take their points tally to a whopping 290.

There will be all to play for as the newly crowned champions take on former winners Ardleigh Green, in a game their local rivals must win to stay in with a chance of maintaining their Premier League status for next season.

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29th August

Brentwood 1st XI - 362-8
Ardleigh Green 1st XI - 170 all out
Brentwood won by 192 runs

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood's all-round pair of Jahid Ahmed and Max Osborne underlined their class as they set up a thoroughly convincing 192 run win against Ardleigh Green, to confirm their opposition's relegation from the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League.

Of Brentwood's top order batsmen, only Aaron West got a score on what appeared to be a very good cricket wicket; his fluent 36 ended by Shanka Gunalan. At 124-5 in the 23rd over, Brentwood were not necessarily in trouble, but were looking set for one of their smaller totals of the season. Ahmed had other ideas though, as he conspired with Osborne to demonstrate their abilities with the bat as well as being a fearsome opening bowling partnership.

Ahmed started watchfully having only scored the one run from his first eleven deliveries but soon began accelerating, bringing his fifty up in 42 deliveries. Osborne meanwhile combined his usual big hitting with a series of singles that kept the score moving, as he brought up his fifty in just 41 balls. The 138 run partnership between the two came up in just 18 overs and took the game firmly away from Ardleigh Green.

Once Osborne was out for 56, Ahmed found further support from Gulfraz Muwas and Ahmed's second fifty came up in just 44 balls, so bring up his first ever League hundred. He did not stop there though, and brought up his third fifty in just 17 balls, before falling for 158 to equal the highest ever score by a Brentwood 1st XI player in the Essex League - jointly held with one Nick Knight.

Once Ahmed was out Muwas took up the mantel to finish on an unbeaten 39 in just 25 balls. The last ten overs produced an incredible 113 runs.

In truth, the total was always going to be too much for Ardleigh Green, but when Jon Walford snaffled the dangerous Freddie Butt in the slips off Ahmed in the fifth over, the task for the basement side became that much harder. By the time Brentwood's two fast bowlers had picked up two wickets each to reduce their opposition to 69-4 it was very much game over.

Muwas came on and picked up two wickets himself, including a catch at backward point for Sam Pountney that had been palmed to him by Ahmed in the gully. As the game drifted to its inevitable conclusion, Osborne was re-introduced into the attack to pick up a further two wickets to end with 4-39.

Brentwood will want to bring their successful league season to a victorious end with a win against Upminster when they visit Upmister Park next Saturday.

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5th September

Upminster 1st XI - 304-7
Brentwood 1st XI - 305-5
Brentwood won by 5 wickets

Report by Ian Belchamber

Scorecard

Brentwood made up for a typical end of season fielding display with a superb batting performance, to chase down in excess of 300 with three overs to spare and 5 wickets in hand.

Following on from his brilliant 158 last week, Jahid Ahmed was again the star of the show with the bat with an unbeaten 95. Overseas star Kasun Bodisha also performed with the bat, also scoring a rapid 95.

In the field, Brentwood dropped numerous missed chances, crucially three of which were missing opportunities to get the scalp of Alan Ison before he had had a chance to settle. Ison went on to get a powerful 136 not out, which set up the biggest total Brentwood had offered off their bowling all season. Ison was well supported by Shafiq Rahman with a well constructed 50.

Max Osborne finished with two more wickets to end the season on a highly creditable 36 wickets for the season - the highest of any seamer in the Premier League and Brentwood's highest by 14. However, it was the poor support in the field that ensured Brentwood faced a highly challenging total to chase down.

Brentwood's chase got off to a poor start, as Aaron West had a rare failure, falling to the irrepressible Ison. With Jon Walford and James Redwood getting starts, Brentwood were looking in a decent position, but both fell as they attempted to push the score along.

Meanwhile, Bodisha, although not timing the ball as well as he might have liked, was still finding the boundary regularly with Ollie Peck in particular feeling the force of Bodisha's hitting.

Peck though, managed to get his revenge, as he had the Sri Lankan caught on the boundary agonisingly shy of his second hundred of the season and finishing with the more than respectable average of 64.

After Bodisha's fall, Ahmed took over the big hitting role, well supported by Richard Walford and the score moved gradually towards their target. Peck, was forced into bringing his last gun bowler, Naeem Iqbal back into the attack for his final overs. Ahmed and Walford managed to see off that threat, whilst keeping the score moving.

Walford fell for a crucial 34, run out with a direct hit. He was replaced by Ben Cocklin, the fifth of Brentwood's batsmen who started the day averaging in excess of 50. Ahmed and Cocklin combined clever running between the wickets with the ability to find boundaries regularly to bring Brentwood home safely. Ahmed's 95 meant he finished at the top of the league batting averages, in excess of 70.

In football, it is often said that sides that win leagues are those that win games playing poorly, and whilst this was merely a dead game, this game perhaps highlighted Brentwood's match winning potential throughout the team.

With second and third in the league losing, it means Brentwood ended up winning the league by an enormous 62 points. However, the work cannot stop there, as Brentwood will have to step up their game if they are going to get anywhere close to regaining their Championship.

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