Wanstead & Snaresbrook captain Joe Ellis-Grewal says it’s all to play for when they come up against Hamro Foundation Essex League leaders Chelmsford this weekend.

The Herons will welcome Jack Sterland’s men to Overton Drive on Saturday as they look to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Brentwood last weekend.

Wanstead now sit third in the Premier Division while Chelmsford remain top heading into the match.

“They’re a great side, they’re up there with Brentwood and Hornchurch to win the league, so I think that’s the good thing,” said Ellis-Grewal.

Ilford Recorder: J Ellis-Grewal of Wanstead appeals for a wicket during Wanstead and Snaresbrook CC (fielding) vs Brentwood CC, Hamro Foundation Essex League Cricket at Overton Drive on 19th June 2021J Ellis-Grewal of Wanstead appeals for a wicket during Wanstead and Snaresbrook CC (fielding) vs Brentwood CC, Hamro Foundation Essex League Cricket at Overton Drive on 19th June 2021 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

“Unfortunately we lost, but we’re quite a long way ahead of Brentwood and the other teams there, and we know if we can pick up a win on Saturday then we’ll be in a nice position near the top with everything to play for.”

It was a narrow 10-run defeat to Brentwood on the weekend much to the disappointment of the captain.

Aaron West’s men scored 185-9 before Wanstead were bowled out for 175 in reply.

“It was a really good game of cricket and we worked really hard all day, it was really tough conditions for us, and again it seems like every time we play Brentwood this year everything goes against us," added Ellis-Grewal.

“We did really well and got ourselves into a position where we should have won quite comfortably but unfortunately we just couldn’t quite get over the line at the end which was really disappointing for us.”

Tom Simmons (83) and Naivedyam Dwivedi (43) top scored for Wanstead and the skipper was full of praise for the duo.

“They got 20 or 30 runs more than they should have done and we had a lot of edges go past fielders and balls leap over fielders," he added.

“They could have very easily been all out for 120 or 130, but still to restrict them to that score with a wet ball was really good.

“We lost two or three wickets early, but Simmo and Nav batted fantastically well, and Tom looked an absolute cut above.

“It was really dark, they were bowling quite quick, and the pitch was doing all sorts, so it was tough conditions to bat in and he just looked amazing out there.

Ilford Recorder: E Kalley of Wanstead celebrates with his team mates after taking the wicket of A West during Wanstead and Snaresbrook CC (fielding) vs Brentwood CC, Hamro Foundation Essex League Cricket at Overton Drive on 19th June 2021E Kalley of Wanstead celebrates with his team mates after taking the wicket of A West during Wanstead and Snaresbrook CC (fielding) vs Brentwood CC, Hamro Foundation Essex League Cricket at Overton Drive on 19th June 2021 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

“Nav has struggled for form, but he batted beautifully, and when I was out there with Simmo I thought the game was in the bag, but a few unfortunate dismissals meant we couldn’t quite get over the line at the end of the game.”