Hornchurch won the toss and decided to bat first. After a slow start, Hornchurch's middle order accelerated to a score of 252 for 5 in their 45 overs. Joe with 2 for 38 from 8 and Jahansher with 1 for 34 were the pick of the bowlers.

Tom got us off to a good start with his 44, but once he got out, the scoring slowed down. Enter Kishen, who put on a match winning performance, scoring 79 with some clean hitting round the ground. Although he was out with 14 runs needed, Yuvraj got us over the line with 22 not out with an over to spare.

Apart from winning the league cup, the firsts finished third in the league, made T20 finals day, and reached the last 8 of the National Club Cup - all in all, a pretty good season.

Hornchurch 1st XI v Wanstead 1st XI - 7th September

An 'end of season' performance by the firsts against Hornchurch on Saturday, highlighted by a number of dropped catches. At the start of the match, we knew we needed a win or 5 bonus points to ensure 2nd place, but we were unable to achieve either. On a turning wicket, we were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 178 in the 41st over, giving us 2 bonus points. Haaris made 57, Kishen made 40, and Harith 26, but we had no answer to the spin of Malik who took 5 for 23 in 9 overs. Although we took 2 early wickets, Hornchurch played positively from the start and reached our total with only 4 wickets down in the 27th over, including a century from George Hankins. We earned just a single bowling bonus point, and Brentwood's win meant we finished third in the league.

Wanstead 1st XI v Buckhurst Hill 1st XI - 31st August

Another good win for the 1st XI keeps us second in the table, needing 5 points next week to secure the runners up spot. On a tricky Wanstead pitch, we batted first and as is the norm some poor shot selection left us in trouble at 90 for 4. Some sensible batting in the middle overs however, and some explosive hitting at the end got us up to 255 with the standout of the show being Haaris Usman who carried his bat for 133 not out in a magnificent innings. Wanstead bowled well throughout the second innings and wickets were shared around as we bowled out Buckhurst Hill for 227 for a comfortable win.

Wanstead 1st XI v Colchester 1st XI - 17th August

A good win for the firsts against Colchester in the league on Saturday in a low scoring match. On a pitch with unpredictable bounce, we were asked to bat first. Although some of our dismissals were due to poor shot selection, others were got out by unplayable deliveries. Top scorers were Harith with 46 and Hassan with 33, which took him to almost 1,000 runs in all competitions this season. With Colchester bowling tightly and fielding well throughout the innings, we were bowled out for 196 in the 49th over.

We needed to bowl well, and Hassan got us off to a good start with 2 early wickets. Colchester then rebuilt for their third and fourth wickets, and at drinks, the game was in the balance. The introduction of Yuvraj into the attack turned the game in our direction, with him taking 4 for 21 from 8.4 overs, and going past the bat on countless occasions. All of the bowlers contributed, either by taking wickets or restricting the scoring, and Colchester were bowled out for 155 in the 47th over, giving us a 41 run victory.

Brentwood 1st XI v Wanstead 1st XI - 10th August

The 1st XI rescued an honourable draw on Saturday to keep them second in the table. Brentwood won the toss and batted first on a good wicket. With limited bowling options available and Zain getting injured early on, it was tough going, despite creating some chances and pressure at the start of the innings. Brentwood eventually declared on 333 and we set about positivity in the chase. However some poor shot selections left us 53 for 3 off 8 overs at tea. Two more quick wickets fell leaving all hope of a win lost before Harith and Ali Zeb began rebuilding. Ali Zeb batted well under increasing pressure before unluckily being dismissed but Harith held firm and batted extremely maturely. Against an increasingly frustrated Brentwood team, Harith remained unflustered to reach his a chanceless first 100 for the 1st XI (and only our second in the league all year!). Nabeel Aziz also scored a brilliant 100 but unfortunately this was balls faced for a well made 48 not out to leave us on 271 for 7 and securing the draw.

Loughton 1st XI v Wanstead 1st XI - 4th August
Dukes Essex League Cup quarter final

The 1st XI beat Loughton in the quarter finals of the Dukes Essex League Cup on Sunday.

After winning the toss and chosing to bat, we put on a competitive score of 297 for 7 from our 45 overs. Haaris provided the backbone of the innings, scoring a patient 100, with useful support from Yuvraj (43) and Kishen (50). Joe (20), Eshun (18) and Nabeel (24) pushed the score along at the end.

Marley took a wicket in his first over, but Loughton then put on a big second wicket partnership of 144. It took the introduction of Nabeel into the attack (with Kishen taking over behind the stumps) along with Ali to turn the game in our favour. They both bowled well, with Ali finishing with 3 for 45 and Nabeel 4 for 49, as we bowled Loughton out for 245, winning by 52 runs. We move on to play Woodford Wells in the semi-final later this month.

Wanstead 1st XI v Hutton 1st XI - 3rd August

A frustrating draw for the first team against Hutton in the league on Saturday. We won the toss and batted, with Tom and Hassan putting on an opening stand of 177 before Tom was out for 97. Harith scored a breezy 43 and Hassan was eventually out for 101. We declared on 304 for 5 off 53 overs, with Ali not out on 37.

Early wickets from Eshun and Zain gave us a good start, and the spinners then started to work through the Hutton batters, reducing them to 195 for 7. We were then held up by an eighth wicket partnership from Hutton, who finished on 249 for 8, losing the 8th wicket to a run out in the final over, looking to get another bonus point. We took 14 points from the game and remain second in the league.

Brentwood 1st XI v Wanstead 1st XI
National Club Cup -Sunday 28th July

Another heart-breaking defeat at the quarter final stage of the National Club Cup for the third year in a row for the firsts at Brentwood on Sunday. Having lost the toss, we were asked to bat, and started slowly against some tight Brentwood bowling. Tom stepped up the pace, making 76, ably supported by Kishen (24), Ali (25), and Yuvraj (30), as we posted a competitive target of 215 for 9 from our 40 overs.

Eshun made early breakthroughs, getting rid of both Brentwood openers. A third wicket partnership of 71 between Jordan Silk and Will Buttleman was broken by Jahansher, who got both their wickets. After that, another big partnership by Jack Hebron and Joe Buttleman took the game away from us, despite two late wickets by Yuvraj. We eventually lost by 4 wickets with two and a half overs left.

A big thank you to our fantastic supporters who made the trip to Brentwood - it was a superb turnout for an away game.

Despite our obvious disappointment, we should be extremely proud as a club to have reached the National Cup quarter finals for a third year in a row, and if anything, we are overachieving. Unlike many other teams, we do not pay our players, and focus on bringing our own through our fantastic youth system (7 of the 11 starters on Sunday came through this system). A special mention to one of these - Nabeel - who spent the winter working very hard at his wicket-keeping, and was involved in 4 of the dismissals today, and is making sharp stumpings a speciality!

Colchester 1st XI v Wanstead 1st XI - 27th July

A comprehensive defeat for the first team at Colchester on Saturday meant we lost our place at the top of the league. Having won the toss and put Colchester into bat, Joe's decision was rewarded with a wicket from Hassan in the first over. Hassan continued to bowl tightly, supported by Eshun and Yuvraj. When Joe brought himself on to bowl, he must have had a lucky rabbits' foot in his pocket, as he picked up 2 fortuitous wickets from 2 less than ideal deliveries! At 93 for 6, Wanstead were very much on top, however a 7th wicket partnership of 128 helped to get Colchester to a score of 245 for 9. Hassan ended up with 4 wickets, Joe 3 and Yuvraj 2.

In reply, we started slowly against tight Colchester bowling, reaching tea at 37 for 1. After tea, we were unable to push on, losing wickets to attacking shots and good bowling and were eventually bowled out for 133 in the 46th over to lose by 112 runs.

Buckhurst Hill 1st XI v Wanstead 1st XI - 20th July

A comprehensive 7 wicket win by the firsts against Buckhurst Hill kept us at the top of the league on Saturday. Captain Kishen won the toss, put Buckhurst Hill into bat, and proceeded to take full advantage of the conditions, putting on a bowling masterclass. He finished with 7 for 29 off 15 overs in a total of 80 all out, supported by Zain who took 2 for 2 before he had to retire mid-over with a slight injury.

Our reply got off to a flying start, thanks to Tom and Hassan putting on a partnership of 51, before Tom fell for 26 to a superb one handed catch. We lost Robin shortly after, but Hassan calmed any nerves with 3 fours in an over. He finished on 42 not out as we reached 81 for the loss of 3 wickets in the 15th over.

Wanstead 1st XI v Loughton 1st XI - 13th July

Another nail-biting finish for the 1st XI in the league on Saturday, winning by 8 runs in the penultimate over. Wanstead won the toss and chose to bat, but were soon reduced to 30 for 3. Hassan and Ali then steadied the ship, taking us to 106 for 3 at lunch. We lost Hassan to the first ball after lunch, but Ali continued to hold the innings together, finishing on a superb 99 not out in a total of 223 for 9. On a wicket that wasn't easy to bat on, it looked a competitive score.

Loughton got off to a strong start, but Eshun brought us back into the game with 3 wickets. A 6th wicket partnership of 74 for Loughton looked like it might take the game away from us again, but Zain returned to the attack and managed to break it. Loughton were prepared to chase the target to the end, which gave us a chance, and late wickets from Hassan (3 for 39), and Ali (2 for 53) got us over the line, with the last wicket being a sharp stumping by Jonathan off Ali's bowling. The win keeps us at the top of the table.

Wanstead 1st XI v Wimbledon 1st XI - 7th July

A comprehensive 68 run win for Wanstead's 1st XI in the National Club Cup on Sunday.

Having lost the toss, we were asked to bat first, and after a slightly delayed start, reached 41 without loss when the serious rain arrived. When we resumed, Wimbledon bowled tightly, backed up with some excellent ground fielding, until Kishen (37 not out) and Yuvraj (39) went on the attack to get us to a respectable total of 183 for 6 from 31 overs. This score was subsequently adjusted to 190 via Duckworth Lewis, then reduced to 174 off 27 overs, following another rain shower during the innings break.

Wimbledon's innings got off to a flying start until 2 wickets in an over by Eshun (2 for 24) put the brakes on. Further tight bowling from Jahansher (3 for 19) and 2 wickets in 2 balls from Hassan (3 for 23) put us in the driving seat, and Wimbledon were bowled out for 106.

Wanstead 1st XI v Chingford 1st XI - 6th July

Wanstead beat Chingford in the only Premier League game to take place on Saturday to go top of the league.

Once the rain finally stopped, Wanstead won the toss and put Chingford into bat. Off 32 overs, Chingford reached 114 for 9, with Hassan taking 4 for 38, and Zain bowling through the innings and taking 3 for 49.

Needing 115 off 28 overs, Tom and Haaris put on an opening stand of 72 before Haaris was bowled for 25. Hassan (14 not out), then joined Tom (70 not out) to win the game by 9 wickets with overs to spare.

Overall, a fantastic weekend for the 1st XI, with a win on Saturday taking us to the top of the league, and another on Sunday taking us into the last 8 of the National Club Cup.

Wanstead 1st XI v Hadleigh & Thundersley 1st XI - 29th June

The 1st XI earned 25 points on Saturday in an epic finish with 4 results possible off the last ball. Captain Simmo won the toss and we started well before a small wobble in the middle left us at 120 for 4. However Harith batted superbly to score 88 along with Simmo who was out for 80 and we bravely declared on 288, 7 overs early.

In the field we bowled well but after an early wicket the 2nd wicket partnership put on 130. After Zain broke the partnership we then began to take regular wickets as the chase neared 6 an over. The turning point came when Simmons caught their captain with a brilliant full length dive at long off however the opposition kept up with the rate despite us taking regular wickets to leave 7 runs off the last over 9 wickets down. A two and 3 singles left them needing 2 off the last ball to win. Jahansher bowled a wide ball outside off and the batter attempted to sweep, missed it and dragged his foot out, ending up stumped off the last ball as Wanstead sealed a 25 point win. We are now only 8 points off the top.

Wanstead 1st XI v Hornchurch 1st XI - 22nd June

Wanstead's 1st XI beat current champions Hornchurch with a fine display of bowling and batting in the league on Saturday. Hornchurch won the toss and batted first. Zayn got an early wicket, with Ali taking a fantastic one-handed catch at slip. We generally bowled well throughout, with Zayn (3 for 23), Jahansher (3 for 67), and Hassan (2 for 59) finishing with the best bowling figures. Billy Gordon's 50 held the Hornchurch innings together as they ended on 244 for 8. Credit to Tom too for 2 excellent catches.

Haaris and Tom got us off to a strong start, each getting 26, despite the distraction of a swarm of bees over the sightscreen and clubhouse roof! An excellent century partnership between Robin and Kishen was finally broken when Robin was out for 66. Another sizable partnership between Kishen (73) and Hassan (48) ended 7 runs short of our target, but Ali and Yuvraj got us over the line for a comfortable 5 wicket win.

Wanstead 1st XI v Peterborough 1st XI
National Club Cup - Sunday 16th June

Wanstead's 1st XI have once again reached the last 16 of the National Club Cup, beating Peterborough on Sunday. We won the toss and asked Peterborough to bat, and they set off quickly. We managed to pull things back, with their innings concluding on 227 for 9, with Jahansher (3 for 49) and Yuvraj (4 for 34) being the pick of the bowlers.
Our innings started slowly and we lost Tom early. Hassan and Robin then put on a fantastic partnership of 142, with Robin out for 76. Hassan completed a brilliant century, finishing on exactly 100 not out, as we got an 8 wicket victory with nearly 4 overs to spare.

Wanstead 1st XI v Chelmsford 1st XI - 15th June

A much-changed first team managed to get a draw against Chelmsford in a rain-affected match in the league on Saturday. Wanstead won the toss and asked Chelmsford to bat. Eshun and Hamza kept things tight, with Chelmsford reaching 35 without loss after 10 overs when the rain came. When the rain finally relented, Chelmsford were able to move on to 204 for 8 from 37 overs, with Hassan and Ali each taking 2 wickets, the latter including a sharp caught and bowled. There were also 3 run outs in the Chelmsford innings as they scored quickly towards the end of the innings, pushing on for potential bonus points.

Haaris got our innings off to a fast start with a quick-fire 39. Even with a further rain interruption, Chelmsford managed to bowl enough overs to ensure the match was completed, with Wanstead finishing on 105 for 3 (Robin 26 not out and Ali 28 not out).

Wanstead 1st XI v Loughton 1st XI - 8th June

In a game that ebbed and flowed all afternoon, Wanstead's first team eventually won by 26 runs. Wanstead batted first and reached 143 for 3 at the half way point, but stumbled after the drinks break, losing wickets regularly. Kishen top scored with 55, and most of the lower order added useful runs, but 245 all out was slightly under par. A blistering opening spell by Zain reduced Loughton to 49 for 3, before a stand of 76 saw Loughton half way to their target just past the 25 over mark. 3 wickets then went for 10 runs, including a superb catch by Eshun, hopping on one leg on the boundary to ensure he didn't step over the rope! This seemed to put Wanstead in the driving seat, but then a 77 run partnership for the 7th wicket appeared to have Loughton coasting to victory. 2 wickets and a run out by Yuvraj and a final wicket by Eshun changed the story yet again as the last 4 went for 5 runs.

Wanstead 1st XI v Hadleigh & Thundersley 1st XI - 1st June

A solid all-round performance gave Wanstead firsts a 7 wicket win over Hadleigh with more than 12 overs remaining. Bowling first, an excellent run out by Abdullah, 2 stunning catches by Zoraiz and Kishen, and a tight bowling display, with Ali returning figures of 3 for 32 in his 10 overs, restricted Hadleigh to 188 for 8. When Wanstead batted, Kishen top-scored with 58 and there were 40s for Hassan and Robin, who was not out. This was all despite Hadleigh having an extra fielder - a fox! - who spent most of our innings on the outfield or begging food on the bank!

Wanstead 1st XI v Chelmsford 1st XI - 11th May
Essex League Premier Division

The 1st XI got their season off to a disappointing start with a 4 wicket defeat at Chelmsford. After being put into bat on a bowler-friendly green wicket, Wanstead struggled to post a score against a strong Chelmsford bowling unit. Hassan (36) and Tom (23) were top scorers in a total of 126 all out.

Chelmsford began steadily, and it took a great piece of fielding by Hassan to break the opening partnership via a run out. Joe took 2 wickets in 2 deliveries and 4 in total, but Chelmsford were able to reach the target with 4 wickets remaining.