Willingale Cricket Club caused a major upset as they thrashed Wickford to be crowned Riverside Indoor Cricket League champions against the odds.

The team’s success may not be over yet either, as they bid for the league and cup double when they take on Broomhill Wanderers in a semi-final on Sunday 8 April, with the final set to take place later the same day.

The minnows, who play outdoor cricket in the Herts and Essex League’s third tier, needed a win against Wickford on Sunday at Riverside in Chelmsford to take the indoor title and they got off to the perfect start when skipper Paul Green racked up 35 not out to help Willingale post a score of 137/3 from 12 overs.

From there, Willingale’s bowlers took full control, bowling Wickford all out for 62 to beat the likes of Upminster and Hutton to the title.

Willingale Cricket Club’s Saturday XI captain Steve Stammers said: “It’s an incredible achievement for a club like ours to win a competition that has so many big names from Essex cricket in there. It sets us up for the outdoor season perfectly.”

The club are also on the lookout for new players for two of their teams for the upcoming season and any interested parties can email Steve Stammers on stevestammers@hotmail.co.uk.