It’s Roy of the Rovers!

SNEL DIVISION ONE

Ilford 88-3 beat Hutton 87 by 7 wkts

ILFORD ensured their resurgence as a force in Shepherd Neame cricket was underway in earnest with a seven-wicket defeat of Hutton at the weekend, writes NEIL TRAINIS.

Batting first, Hutton had the chance of compiling a competitive score, but fell by the wayside after Pronob Roy's single-handed demolition job, which saw him take 7-41 during a devastating spell of bowling, left them to defend a total of just 87 runs.

"He's a seamer and a local lad who played for us a few years ago," said Ilford captain Maz Malik, who also saw Iftikhar Jalil take two wickets and Ragaf Chopra claim one.

"He's always had potential, but we just hope he hasn't used up all his luck in this match."

Hutton's players must have come off the pitch at the end wishing that Roy had not agreed to join up with Ilford once more this season, such was the verve with which he bowled.

Inevitably, Hutton could find no answer in attempting to protect such a paltry total and Ilford cantered to victory having reached 88-3, Zulqarnain Haider Saheed emerging as the pick of their batsmen with an unbeaten 43.

His knock, coupled with Gurdeep Kandola's unbeaten 30, took Ilford over the finishing line after they had lost openers Chopra and Usman Rana for ducks and Hameed Gul for just 10 runs, after a successful lbw appeal.

Yet Ilford hardly strode to victory, if anything making a slight mess of what should have been an even more comprehensive triumph, and the win gives one of the youngest squads in Division One impetus as they bid to launch a tilt at promotion back to the top flight.

"It's merely a good start, nothing more," insisted a cautious Malik.

"The openers bowled very well and we were always in control of their run-rate and controlling the game.

"It gives us confidence going in to the next match but there are no easy games in this league.