Maz Malik

Ilford 231 all out beat Ardleigh Green 126 all out by 105 runs

Ilford captain Maz Malik was relieved his side and Abir Chippa in particular found their form with the bat as they picked up their first win in five Shepherd Neame Premier Division matches over basement-boys Ardleigh Green.

It looked like being another poor batting display when Ilford lost their opening three wickets with the score on 15, before Chippa came to the crease.

And alongside steady contributions from Vilas Kutty (30) and skipper Malik (31), Chippa produced a fine display as he hit nine boundaries and two sixes on his way to 106 from 140 balls, before being the eighth wicket to fall.

By then the damage had been done and Ilford had recovered.

Malik was delighted with the victory: “It was good to get back to winning ways and to finally get over the winning line was crucial,” he said.

“The losses have been close ones and it is our batting which has been below par all season and at 15-3 it looked like that would continue.

“But Abir stepped up and batted superbly to get us to the total. We then kept up the pressure with the ball all the way through.”

That total of 231 always looked too much for the league’s bottom side to chase down on their Central Park home ground.

Struggled

Ardleigh Green also struggled early on in the reply having lost four wickets by the time they had reached 37.

Babu Veettil removed opening pair Thomas Oakley (15) and Paul Hurworth (16) to get the ball rolling, before Theeban Tavarasa took centre stage as he tore through the middle and lower order.

Tavarasa ended with excellent figures of 5-47 from his 15 overs to help comfortably see Ilford home.

Fittingly Chippa (2-16) brought the match to a close after taking the final wicket of Anthony Hill (6).

This weekend, Ilford host Colchester & East Essex at Valentines Park.