Zain Shahzad struck four times as Wanstead & Snaresbrook returned to form with a sensational six-wicket victory over Chelmsford.

The seamer ripped through the visitors upper and middle order at Overton Drive as the Herons bounced back from their early season setbacks to record a much needed win and breathed fresh life into their Premier Division title defence.

Having won the toss Wanstead skipper Arfan Akram had no hesitation in putting Chelmsford into bat in muggy conditions and he was rewarded for his bravery as Shahzad struck with just 25 on the board.

Akram himself took the catch at slip as Jack Sterland, who had already hit two fours and a six in his score of 18, was sent back to the pavilion.

Having got the breakthrough wickets started to fall at regular intervals. Maurice Chambers had Chelmsford’s captain caught by Pettrus Hattingh, the catch the first of four for the South African on the day, before a Jonathan Das inspired run out removed wicket-keeper batsman Adil Dewan.

With Shahzad (four for 18) working his way through the middle-order and Chambers (2 for 34) bowling with real intensity Chelmsford were in tatters and at 61 for eight.

It looked as though it could be a very short afternoon’s work for the Herons but a defiant innings from James Clifford (47 not out) ensured at least some respectability to the total.

However, he was unable to find a partner who could hang around and two wickets for leg-spinner Rehan Hassan and a single scalp for Adam Lord ensured the away side would close on 117 from just 41.4 overs.

Batting has been a problem for Wanstead in recent weeks but openers Arfan Akram and John Chambers settled any nerves that may have been in the dressing room as they put on 59 for the first wicket.

Akram hit seven fours in his 45 and despite Hassan being run out for a duck shortly after Akram was caught and bowled by Tom Craddock the foundations for the victory were in place.

Chambers was eventually trapped lbw to Aaron Beard but an unbeaten 45 from Hattingh saw his side home to a much needed victory.

It was a superb weekend for Wanstead’s other XI’s with victories for the thirds, fourths, fifths and sixths teams, with only the second XI suffering defeat in the Essex League on Saturday.

Wanstead Heronettes recovered from a poor start to beat Hampstead by 37 runs in their North London Women’s League fixture.

On Sunday the club’s U16 matchplay side enjoyed a vital 27-run victory over Shenfield, with 14-year-old Feroze Khushi scoring his second unbeaten hundred in as many days while Abdul Gour weighed in with 98.