OWZAT!!!

Newham 164-6 beat Hornchurch 148

by 16 runs

Newham prevailed in a tense Premier Division encounter with Hornchurch as Mohammed Ijaz top scored with a half-century to bag the points at Hylands Park, writes Simon Jackson.

Newham skipper Shazad Hussain won the toss and elected to bat, but progress was slow as the home side’s bowlers kept the top order pinned down, before Ijaz’s crucial knock helped them to post a reasonable total which they successfully defended.

“It was a very close finish,” Hussain admitted. “They went up to the second last over and needed 17 runs from the last two overs to win.

“But our fielding was very good and the game was played in a good spirit. It was tense and could have gone either way. It was a big win for us at their ground.

“The victory has us second in the league and we are going to keep going to try and win the title.”

Newham openers Sajad Mirza (6) and Kabir Rashid (12) were forced to work hard as the Hornchurch attack, led by Neil Hutchinson (2-19) and Paul Humphries (1-31), did a good job of restricting the run rate.

Mirza was the first to go when trapped lbw by Humphries. Rashid was joined by Amjad Hussain (10) as Hornchurch continued the pressure.

Progress was slowed further when Hutchinson had both batsmen caught.

The arrival of Ijaz (52) and Amir Shaukat (49) eventually got the innings underway, but time ran out for Hussain’s men who had only reached 164-6 when their allotted 45 overs were concluded.

In reply, a similar story unfolded as Newham dismissed the Hornchurch openers cheaply, before the mid-order posted healthotals.

Silva (1-19) and Faisal Haider (1-21) struck early and although Lak Gill (24) and Paul Humphries (47) got Hornchurch underway, the arrival of Amjad Hussain (3-16) changed all that.

Mirza (2-40) got in on the act and skipper Hussain (3-27) secured victory.