Convincing win for 1st team but they drop to second place
Posted by Ken Hobbs on 24 August 2015
Aaron West took five wickets as Brentwood convincing beat third-placed Wanstead on Saturday but they lost top spot in the Shepherd Neame Premier Division owing to Chelmsford claiming a maximum 25 points from their win over Loughton.
At the Old County Ground, batting first, Wanstead looked comfortable at 87-2 and had progressed to 136-4 at lunch. But the introduction of West (5-24) started a collapse that saw the visitors lose their last six wickets for just sixteen runs, finishing on 169 all out, Tom Moore (1-21), Ian Belchamber (1-35) and Charlie Griffiths (2-40) also taking wickets.
Brentwood reached their target in 33.1 overs, openers Tom Oakley (48) and Guy Balmford (66) putting on 75 for the first wicket. Tom Phillippe (42 not out) then joined Balmford and although the opener was out with seven runs still required, Brentwood cruised to an 8-wicket win that puts them 27 points clear of Wanstead. Chelmsford are now top by four points and they meet Wanstead at Chelmer Park next Saturday when Brentwood visit Ilford. The championship will probably be decided on the final Saturday of the season (5th September) when Chelmsford come to the OCG.
