Newhams team manager Tariq Aslam showing his team how its done during his days at May & Baker

In one of very few games to survive the rain, Newham Cricket Club’s first team managed to see off Ford by four wickets in the Essex County Premier League opener on Saturday.

And Adult team manager Tariq Aslam was pleased with how the opening encounter went on a damp wicket.

“I think both sides adapted well to the conditions and it was a surprise to get the game on because every other game in the league was off,” said Aslam.

Prior to the opening league fixture they had only one friendly fixture in an InterClub match on their open day on April 21, though train every Thursday at their Flanders Field base.

Aslam was impressed by 17 -year-old Ashfaq Patel who was playing in his opening adult match after coming through the colts system at the club.

“It was our first opportunity to use him in adult cricket and he performed very well,” he added.

“He recorded figures of 2-23 off seven overs which is a good return on debut.”

Newham won the toss and opted to bowl first on the damp wicket, with the opening spell going well after they dismissed Yasin Patel for a golden duck.

But the lower middle order helped Ford as they were eventually all out for 155 in 41 overs.

Alongside Patel’s 2-23, wickets came throughout their attack as Jamil Ahmed took 2-26 from five overs, while Faroz Dogha (1-21), Mohammed Aqeel (1-12) also struck.

With the bat Newham got off to a steady start as openers Mohammed Kabir (23) and wicketkeeper Asad Menno (28) both adapted to the tricky conditions.

Gulfraz Muwas continued with a unbeaten 32 to steer Newham home with Waqas Khan (16) and Ahmed (12 not out).

But the two sides were due to meet on Monday in round one of the League Cup and Newham lost out.

Because of the scheduled bad weather, a bowl off occurred on the Saturday, which resulted in Ford taking the win.

This weekend, Newham’s first team take on reigning champions Goresbrook at Flanders Field, while the second XI make the reverse trip to face their counterparts