SNEL PREMIER South Woodford 209-9 lost to Brentwood 316-4 by 107 runs SOUTH WOODFORD began their 2009 SNEL season with defeat after they were hammered by Brentwood last Saturday, writes MATT DINER. After being put in to bat by South captain Rizwan Akram

SNEL PREMIER

South Woodford 209-9 lost to

Brentwood 316-4

by 107 runs

SOUTH WOODFORD began their 2009 SNEL season with defeat after they were hammered by Brentwood last Saturday, writes MATT DINER.

After being put in to bat by South captain Rizwan Akram, Brentwood tore into the visitors seam attack, amassing 316 runs from their 50 overs, while in reply South could only muster 209.

"The performance was not as bad as the result seemed," insisted Akram.

"We showed a lot of character out there and although our bowling lines were not that disciplined, it is a learning curve for us and the season has just begun."

Brentwood made an excellent start as openers Jonathan Walford and James Redwood put on a solid opening stand which was ended when Pratik Acharya caught skipper Walford off a delivery from veteran swing bowler Garry Neicho.

Redwood was joined by Phil Ayres who made 39 and by the time Redwood was dismissed for 91, Bentwood were in a strong position.

They hosts were not done yet however, as Essex seamer Jahid Ahmed smashed 68 from 36 balls as Brentwood registered an intimidating 316 from their 50 overs.

"We should not have allowed them to get that many and if we took our chances it would have been a different game," Akram admitted.

"There was a lack of energy in the field and we dropped a few catches.

"We bowled well in the first innings and Carl Greenidge was impressive, but we need to learn how to bowl in the right areas."

Needing a solid start to their innings, South Woodford faltered as wicketkeeper Mario Dev Johannes Jayasuriya went for a duck with Akram (4) and Nick Browne (4) following him back into the pavilion.

Opener Richard Brown departed for 24 as did Kevin Smith for 19, and an embarrassing defeat was on the cards.

However, excellent batting from youngsters Acharya (55) and Simon Correya (40 not out) dragged South to a repectable 209-9.

"Brentwood bowled very well and put the ball in the right areas and they also bowled a few bad balls," Akram said.

"Simon batted maturely and I think him and Pratik showed great character.