A SWASHBUCKLING century from Wanstead’s Adnan Akram propelled the team to a 56-run victory over local rivals Woodford Wells during a high-octane game at Monkhams Lane.

Akram stole the show from Wells’ centurion Michael Richardson, who plundered his second successive ton against one of the finest attacks in the county, but he couldn’t inspire his team-mates to a similar feat.

Herons opener John Chambers got things off to a flyer with a composed 78, but it was Akram who grabbed the headlines, carting the ball to all parts of the ground.

He smashed 13 fours and two maximums during his 71 ball innings, and finished unbeaten at the crease on 104 after their 50 overs.

He said afterwards: “I’m not normally an explosive player, I’m positive in the way that I play but I don’t just try to whack everything. The pitch was awesome and it just suited the one-day game.”

With the exception of Will Rogers (39) and Rob Leiper (32), Wells’ batsmen struggled to support Richardson, who eventually fell for a brilliant 109, with the team falling well short of an improbable victory.

Elsewhere, South Woodford slumped to a heavy seven wicket defeat to Ardleigh Green, while in division one Chingford’s Robert Whitfield’s tremendous knock of 90 not out helped them to a six wicket win over Orsett.

A scintillating hundred from opener Gary Edwards and a magnificent six wicket haul from Rahul Bhome ensured Fives escaped with the points and the bragging rights over rivals Loughton.

Edwards remained unbeaten at the crease on 106 and found strong support from Carlos Remy (66). In the reply, it was all about Bhome, who removed dangerous pair Mike Hughes (74) and Gareth James (41), reducing Loughton to 217 all out, 45 runs short of their target.

Centuries were clearly the order of the day, as Walthamstow’s Asif Bala weighed in with a fantastic knock of 140 as they played out an entertaining draw with Buckhurst Hill in division two’s derby clash.

Hill’s Jeremy Mordrick claimed four wickets to help stem the flow of runs, while batsmen Rohan Bhome (63) and Raymond Parkinson (41) played important roles as they guided their team to a draw.

In division three, Epping registered a convincing 80-run win over Woodford Green. Inayat Hasan’s big hitting at the death propelled the team to 250, before he made an even more valuable contribution with the ball, taking four wickets to secure the points.

Meanwhile, Ongar were well beaten by Benfleet, Old Parkonians suffered a loss at the hands of Belhus, and West Essex trounced Southend on Sea by a margin of four wickets.