South Woodford captain Nick Browne was left disappointed after his side suffered a three-wicket loss at home to Hainault & Clayhall last Saturday.

The visitors secured the smash-and-grab victory thanks to a spectacular batting performance from their overseas player Imran Qadir, who hit an unbeaten 160 and combined with Idris Patel (32 not out) to score more than 100 runs in the final 10 overs.

“We are extremely disappointed,” said Browne.

“We should have won the game. We were the team that played all the cricket, yet we managed to come away with a loss. It has really ripped out our hearts.”

Having won the toss and elected to bat, South Woodford started the game well, with Harry Neicho (31), Joe Craddock (23) and Browne (33) steering the hosts to 106-3.

Max Shirt then hit 92 from 75 balls, before Richard Browne (29 not out) and Harry Shirt (34 not out) brought South Woodford’s innings to a close at 271-6.

“Max was really unlucky not to reach his century,” said Browne.

“He was playing some amazing shots and batted brilliantly. Harry Shirt did really well too – his 34 came from nine balls including five fours and two sixes. He hit 30 from the last over, which really boosted our innings.”

Mousshin Ismail (1-19) and Ryan Hurst (3-66) were the pick of the Hainault bowlers with Ettinda Bopara (1-48) also claiming a wicket.

In reply, Hainault initially struggled to score runs as Garry Neicho (1-18) and captain Browne (3-40) restricted the visitors to 105-4.

“Having set a total of 271 we thought we would go on to win the game,” said Browne.

“We started bowling well, and with 10 overs to go it looked like we had the game in the bag.”

However, Qadir had other ideas, and the overseas batsman scored 18 fours and four sixes on his way to his unbeaten 160 from 141 balls securing the three-wicket victory with the last ball of the game.

“Qadir was definitely the difference between the two sides,” said the South Woodford captain.

“We dropped him when he had just reached his century which could have won us the game.

“They needed a single run from the last ball of the game to win and they got it, which makes the defeat even harder to take.

“Maybe complacency did play its part.

“We, as a team, outplayed them, but he (Qadir) outplayed us.”

This weekend, Browne’s side face Colchester & East Essex and the captain is aiming for an immediate reaction from his players.

“We must win on Saturday,” he said.

“We are at home and are playing one of the best sides in the league.

“But playing at home has its advantages and we must take our chance to get back on track.”

Meanwhile, Hainault travel to Loughton, who currently sit bottom of the Premier Division.