Brentwood 156-a/o
Wanstead 157-7
(Premier League)

WANSTEAD moved a giant step closer to the Premier League title with a hard-fought three-wicket win at Brentwood.

The Uplands outfit hold almost unassailable 50 point lead over Gidea Park and Romford and with just three games left to play, it seems there is only one destination for the coveted trophy.

Wanstead saw off a spirited Brentwood side thanks largely to a strong sixth-wicket partnership between keeper Matthew Smith (33 not out) and Shaheed Saeed (30), who arrived at the crease with the visitors in real trouble on 85-5.

The pair’s 70-run stand took the game away from the hosts and made the result sure, complimenting the stirling work the bowlers had put in earlier in the day.

With four strike bowlers out, 15-year-old Soyfur Rahman and 17-year-old Haroon Awan stepped up to fill the void.

Rahman claimed an early wicket and Awan took two as the two youngsters impressed, while consistent performer Adnan Akram struck three times to leave Brentwood reeling on 158.

Skipper Arfan Akram was delighted with his team’s display but he refused to accept that his team have the league sewn up.

“With a few of our players out it was still vital we picked up 20 points and we did that, although it was one of our toughest challenges of the season,” said Akram.

“We need to get over this final hurdle and get over the line now.

“We’re not looking any further than the coming weekend against Gidea Park and all the boys are just training towards that.”