Tailender Acharya hits hundred for tie

Tailender Pratik Acharya, batting at nine, hit an astonishing century as South Woodford tied a remarkable Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League match at Wanstead & Snaresbrook.

South Woodford appeared to be out for the count when Wanstead new ball pair Zain Shahzad (4-37) and Maurice Chambers (3-43) left them reeling at 56 for seven in response to a total of 225 for six, John Chambers carrying his bat for 86 not out.

Chambers takes 3-43 © Getty Images

But Acharya refused to give in, smashing nine sixes and six fours in a blistering 110, which ended when Adnan Akram snapped up his wicket at 225 all out.

Upminster teenager Alan Ison, 18, spearheaded a three-wicket win over Colchester & East Essex, hitting a competition best 145. Julian Russell (82) top scored in Colchester's 247 for seven, but Ison cracked three sixes and 18 fours in a superb century to lead Upminster home.

Jacob Thompson's unbeaten 107 enabled Ardleigh Green (229 for seven) to secure a draw against joint leaders Gidea Park & Romford, whose daunting 293 for nine was built around Brian Kulasena (88) and Russ Colard (69).

Hainault & Clayhall collapsed to 109 all out and a nine-wicket defeat by Chelmsford, while Brentwood, who share top spot, won by a three-wicket margin at Woodford Wells after teenager Max Osborne (3-20) and Aaron West (3-38) had pointed the hosts to 179 all out.