Gurdeep Kandola

Woodford Wells 171-9 lost to Ilford 172-2

by eight wickets

Ilford bagged back-to- back victories in the Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division when they comfortably disposed of Woodford Wells at Valentines Park on Saturday.

The resounding victory follows hard on the heels of last week’s memorable win over reigning champions Brentwood where Ilford captain Maz Malik’s men secured a dramatic victory with the last ball of the match.

Malik’s men easily followed up on Saturday as they kept the hosts pinned down, thanks to a consistent bowling display, and then eased to their target with eight wickets in hand.

“It was a very good stress- free victory and very different from last week,” Malik confessed. “We did really, really well to keep it down to 171 on that wicket and all credit to the bowlers.

“The batsmen then did a perfect job to take the wind out of their sails after that.”

The victory leaves the Valentines Park outfit fourth in the Premier Division table, but just two points adrift of leaders Wanstead who lead the way after winning on Saturday.

But while Malik is understandably pleased with the good start, he is taking nothing for granted at this early stage of the season.

“Things are going well at the moment and we must keep the performances up,” the skipper continued.

“As I keep saying to the guys, a win this week doesn’t mean anything next week.

“We must just keep going out there and getting a result.”

Woodford Wells won the toss and decided to bat, but lost the first wicket for just six runs when William Rogers (5) became the first of Vilas Kutty’s (4-32) four victims when caught by Sohail Idrees.

The wickets continued to tumble as Adam Wheater (12) was caught by Khaleeq Malik off Kanishk Singh (2-43) and Kutty removed Mark Webb (7) and Robert Leiper (1) to leave the visitors suddenly struggling at 38-4.

Zain Iqbal (36) got them underway again and Wells had reached 115 when he was caught by Malik off Idrees (2-25).

Yet Wells weren’t done with and Rory Ellison (42) and Daniel Magin (30) formed a profitable partnership to help their side to 171-9 off 50 overs.

In reply, Ilford were rocked by the swift loss of Gagan Bhogal (2) who was trapped lbw by Donovan Miller (1-27).

Ilford quickly overcame the blip as Nigel Jacobs (59) and Gurdeep Kandola (53 not out) formed a formidable partnership and they had reached 122 when Ellison (1-12) had Jacobs trapped lbw.

The loss of the second wicket did little to slow progress, as Idrees (24no) stepped in to see them home.