Adnan Akram top-scored for Wanstead with 41. Pic: Salim Akbar

Buckhurst Hill 223-8 beat Wanstead & Snaresbrook 136 all out by 87 runs

Wanstead skipper Arfan Akram believes the surprise home defeat by Buckhurst Hill could be the ‘kick up the backside’ his side needs as they look to win the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier Division title.

The table-toppers were beaten for only the second time in 14 league games, as they failed to get close to Buckhurst Hill’s target of 223.

Josh Peters (93) and Ed Buxton (72) helped the visitors to build up a total that proved far too much for Wanstead on the day.

But the captain refused to be too critical of his team and gave the opposition the credit they deserved for their victory.

Akram said: “We weren’t really on the ball but we have to give full credit to Buckhurst Hill, who played some really good cricket.

“We were outplayed and we’re disappointed, but it could be the kick up the backside we need going into the final four matches.

“We’ve got to learn from the experience.”

Adnan Akram top-scored for the hosts with 41, but Arfan and Petrus Hattingh were next highest in the runs table with 14 each as Wanstead struggled with the bat.

Arfan said: “It’s the first time our batting has let us down this season.

“When you score less than 140 it’s not really good enough.

“But we just have to accept that it was one of those days when it didn’t quite happen for us.

“And the reality is that it was only our fourth loss in all competitions this season, so it’s important to keep things in perspective.”

Wanstead now hold a 16-point advantage over second-placed Chelmsford, who were also beaten on Saturday.

Existing champions Brentwood are 46 points behind the leaders in third place, but Akram is refusing to get too carried away by his side’s position with just four fixtures remaining.

He said: “I’ll remain consistent in what I’ve been saying about us simply accumulating points before assessing how things stand with a couple of games to go.

“I still consider Brentwood to be the danger side, but the good thing is that the league is in our hands.

“If we do what we need to over the next four games then we won’t have to worry about anybody else,” concluded the skipper.