South Woodford break duck in derby

South Woodford's Richard Browne (pic: Graham Hodges) (Image: Archant)

South Woodford came out on top in their Essex League Premier Division derby battle with Ilford at Valentines Park.

Without a win to their name from the first five timed matches of the 2015 season, and bottom of the table, Harry Shirt’s side were put into bat after losing the toss.

And they saw top three Dane Watson, Ashley Leat and James Swash dismissed for single figures to fall to 30-3.

But Harry Neicho (37) put on 121 for the fourth wicket with Max Shirt in the one key partnership of the match.

South Woodford's Kris Vadher (pic: Graham Hodges) (Image: Archant)

Hendro Puchert made the breakthrough for Ilford, then sent Bradley Copper and Harry Shirt back cheaply to reduce the visitors to 156-6.

But Max Shirt batted on to reach 84, hitting a six and eight fours, to take the total to 179 before falling to Theeban Tavarasa (2-27) and Richard Browne (28 not out) put on an unbeaten 39 for the ninth wicket with Krishan Vadher to see South Woodford close on 223-8.

Puchert finished with 3-29 from his 10-over spell, but saw Muhammed Hafeez, Nigel Jacobs and Saf Imtiaz fall cheaply in reply before his own departure for 36 left the visitors 76-4.

After hitting 91 and taking four wickets in a Dukes Essex T20 win at Loughton in midweek, Shankar Gunalan fell first ball to Richard Browne, who also accounted for Gurdeep Kandola.

That left Ilford in deep trouble at 87-6, before Shaz Hafeez and Haaris Ayub (23) steadied the ship only to fall in quick succession to Vadher to make it 119-8.

Tavarasa got into double figures, while Reece Williams hit 30 off just 21 balls in a late flurry as Ilford were eventually dismissed for 177.

Vadher (4-34) finished as the pick of the South Woodford bowling, with Browne (4-40) also having a productive day with the ball as they leapfrogged their rivals.