CRICKET

CHINGFORD Cricket Club fell at the final hurdle in their double bid in the Waltham Abbey Indoor Cricket League.

With the League title already in the bag with six wins from eight games, attention turned to the Cup - where the Forest Siders had already defeated Myddleton House and Tennyson.

In their semi-final against Epping Foresters, Chingford restricted their opponents to 102, with Michael Blake taking 3-25.

Ben MacGregor (29*) and Matt O'Sullivan (25*) both retired but it needed some crazy running between the wickets between the former and Michael Blake (9*) to see Chingford scamper home with one ball to spare, having needed 13 from the last over.

This was Chingford's sixth successive victory in both competitions.

In the interval the Forest Siders were presented with the League Trophy and Greg Hales - for the second year running - took the all-rounder of the year award in the league.

Also skipper Michael Blake was the league's leading wicket-taker and topped the bowling averages in Division One.

High Beach were the opponents in the final and at 43-4 Beach looked doomed.

However their last pair stood firm, and using up all the overs steered their side to a defendable 87.

MacGregor bowled a tremendous spell taking 1-10 off his three overs.

Chingford's reply never got going and with the top score only 13, from Peter Tarrant they were never up with the run rate - and were eventually dismissed for 59 to leave the Forest Siders' double dreams in tatters.

Chingford's squad comprised Michael Blake (captain), Peter Tarrant (vice-captain),Shakeel Kadri, Nick Thorpe, Greg Hales, Ben MacGregor, Matt O'Sullivan, Billy Rhone and Alfie Taylor.