Wanstead & Snaresbrook captain Joe Ellis-Grewal knows every game is tough as the Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division title race heats up.
The Herons travel to Colchester on Saturday as they look to continue their consistent form and chase down both Hornchurch and Chelmsford.
“It’s getting a bit closer up at the top and we’ve got some big games coming up, but Colchester although they’re struggling this year, they’re still a good side and got some very good players,” Ellis-Grewal said.
“It’s not easy going there and getting 20 or 25 points, we know every game is tough, and we need to be picking up as many points as possible.
“In the all-day games if you have a draw and a loss then you can suddenly lose out by 30 to 40 points to someone else in the table even if you haven’t done too much wrong.
“The Essex League is very competitive and anyone can beat anyone on their day.”
Wanstead enjoyed an eight-wicket victory over Chelmsford last weekend despite losing the toss and being sent into the field as they dismissed their rivals for 117 with Eshun Kalley (4-20) and Kishen Velani (4-24) putting in superb displays with the ball.
The successful chase was led by Bilal Patel (24), Tom Simmons (14), Robin Das (26), and Velani (50) and Ellis-Grewal added: “It was a brilliant win, we played pretty much the perfect game to be honest.
“We’ve been waiting for everything to fall into place and finally on Saturday it did. It was a great win against a strong Chelmsford side, and nice to build some points up as well as gaining some points against them to work our way back towards the top.
“It was a really good wicket, probably the best wicket we’ve had all year, and we were hoping to bat first so obviously bowling first on a decent wicket was never going to be easy.
“Eshun and Zain were quality up top, then Kishen came on, and I don’t think he’s bowled at all this year and the first spell I gave him he takes an unbelievable four-wicket haul. That was extremely pleasing.
“Simmo didn’t get many runs, but obviously it was nice that Kish and Robin had that good partnership to take the game away from them, and they showed their class.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here