Harry Shirt

Shepherd Neame Premier Division: Woodford Wells 258 all out lost to South Woodford 259-8 by two wickets

Hassan Chowdhury’s century wasn’t enough to secure victory for Woodford Wells in Saturday’s Premier Division derby against South Woodford at Monkhams Lane.

Third-placed South Woodford would have been most people’s favourites to take the points when they arrived at Woodford Wells after their good start to the season that has left them snapping at the heels of the pacesetters.

But Wells, who have had a torrid time of it so far, started well enough after they were put in to bat against the visiting team that had been forced to field five second teamers due to the unavailability of several regulars.

Wells’ satisfactory start was sent into overdrive with the arrival of Chowdhury. The batsman crafted what appeared to be a match winning knock of 123 to help his side to 258 all out, only for the visitors to overcome a slow start and reach their target in the 49th over.

“It was a very good performance considering we had five first teamers out and used five second-team players in their place,” said South Woodford fixture secretary Tim Coe.

“Harry Shirt was captain for the day as Nick Browne was away with Essex. We lost a few early wickets and were not very optimistic, but when Harry came in he added a bit of solidity.

“He managed to pepper the boundary with fours and two sixes. It shows that we have strength and depth as key players were out.

“We are pleased with the season so far. Our ambition is to replicate our success of last season, where we finished third in our first season back in this division, having spent a season in the First Division.

Not available

“Harry Shirt is not available next week, but the rest of the first team are back.”

William Rogers (10) opened for Wells, batting in partnership with Christopher Briggs (29), and the pair quickly got the innings underway.

Garry Neicho (3-9) slowed progress when he had Rogers caught by Ashley Leat for 23-1 and swiftly removed Zain Iqbal for a duck to leave the hosts 23-2.

The arrival of Chowdhury pushed the score along, only for Neicho to take his third wicket when removing Briggs at 45-3, which brought in Rehan Iqbal (38) to join Chowdhury. The partnership immediately settled and started putting on runs, constantly rebuffing the efforts of the South attack, until Iqbal was finally caught by Hamzah Ikram off Harry Shirt (38).

Mark Webb (16) added runs, taking them to 214-5, before he was dismissed by Matthew Lancaster (2-63).

They were 232-7 when Chowdhury was finally removed, bowled by Ikram (1-72). Yet the tail wagged, before Pratik Acharya (3-32) found his way through, to have them all out for 258 in 49.5 overs.

In reply, South Woodford looked to have it all to do when the opening pair of Michael Browne (0) and Leat (4) departed cheaply, removed by Daniel Magin (2-61) and Donovan Miller (2-36) respectively.

Joe Craddock (37) and Acharya (26) got the run rate ticking over, before good knocks from Hassan Maliq (40) and Richard Browne (39) continued progress.

The arrival of stand-in skipper Shirt (64) sustained the momentum as they reached their target in the 49th over to secure victory.