By Charles Randall
1 September 2012
The left-arm spin of Joe Ellis-Grewal set up a date for Wanstead & Snaresbrook CC in the final of the Kingfisher Beer Cup. The London club play York CC at the Derby county ground on 16 September for the chance to secure £5,000 in prize money.
Ellis-Grewal, 20, a Leeds University student well known in CCC representative cricket, produced the stunning figures of 6-18 off nine overs to demolish Havant in the semi-final, leading to a six-wicket victory. At a young age he has become accustomed to big finals as two years ago he took three wickets in Wanstead's Conference Cup final victory against Finchley at Shenley.
Wanstead look very strong this rain-hit season, reaching the national final while mounting a challenge for the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League title, with Ellis-Grewal widely regarded as the circuit's most improved spinner. After eliminating a formidable Bridgwater side at Overton Drive in the Kingfisher quarter-finals it was no surprise they proved too strong at Havant, the Southern Electric League club.
Havant had progressed to 74 for two, with Peter Hopson going well before Ellis-Grewal struck. Hopson ran himself out for 54, and in no time the home side were bowled out for 156, with Wanstead achieving victory in 40.1 overs through John Chambers (55) and Rehan Hassan (54). Ellis-Grewal played Yorkshire League cricket for Harrogate in May while at university and he faces another club from the same league, York, the semi-final victors over Bamford Fieldhouse.
Wanstead beat Bridgwater by 23 runs in a a game reduced to 40 overs. Hassan again starred with the bat, hitting 65, and it was the new-ball bowler Shahid Saeed who inflicted damage with the ball, taking 3-14 off his eight overs. This time Ellis-Grewal was limited to one wicket. Bridgwater lost Merv Hallaran to the first ball of the innings and slumped to 67-5 before Steffan Jones smashed 68 off 55 balls, lifting the 40-over score to 169-7. If only...
Wanstead seemed slightly off the pace in the Essex League until they produced two 10-wicket victories at Overton Drive in July against South Woodford and front-runners Chelmsford. The Essex seamer Maurice Chambers took three wickets against Chelmsford and since then the two clubs have been locked in a race for the title.