WANSTEAD have managed to put a disappointing league campaign behind them by winning the League Cup for the first time in their recent history.

The Herons overcame Upminster by 12 runs in a thrilling final at Buckhurst Hill Cricket Club that saw the emergence of an exciting new talent.

Fourteen-year-old leg spinner Rehan Hassan claimed four wickets to put his team in the box seat before they eventually closed out the game with Upminster requiring 13 runs from the final over. Essex player Merv Westfield set the tone for Wanstead with a scintillating century after the local side had looked in trouble at 40-3.

Fellow Essex team-mate Maurice Chambers joined Westfield at the crease and the pair put on 110 to propel them up to a competitive 232 from their 45 overs.

Chambers, with the ball in hand, then swung the match even further in Wanstead’s favour as he returned figures of 3-27 from his allotted overs.

Oliver Peck resisted to give Upminster a sniff, but the dependable Araif Saeed took the final wicket to spark jubilant scenes.

After the game Herons captain Arfan Akram praised the efforts of his young team.

“It’s great to end the season on a high with a trophy.

“It just shows how well our youngsters are developing.

“It’s been a disappointing season for us in the league but it’s good to win the League Cup, which is something we haven’t won for quite a while,” a delighted Akram added.