BRENTWOOD thrashed erstwhile leaders Chingford by ten wickets in the Shepherd Neame Essex Premier League, but the victory was overshadowed by a nasty blow Chingford captain Ben Macgregor took to the eye while batting.
Following the recent hot spell, there was little surprise that the Old County Ground wicket had plenty of bounce in it, ideally suited to Brentwood's tall pace attack. Max Osborne took immediate advantage, removing both opening batsmen for single-figure scores, including the in-form Daniel Lawrence.
However, it was then that a short ball from Tom Moore got a little extra bounce and managed to catch Macgregor in the eye, with an ambulance having to be immediately called. Fortunately, he returned to the ground later in the day with stitches but no permanent damage.
Following Macgregor's retirement, Moore managed to get among the wickets, with Australian Shaun Eaton fending off another brutish delivery, and then Nick Shawyer unfortunate to play on.
Billy Rhone then offered something of a fightback, with a battling unbeaten 33, but with Joe Buttleman getting wickets at the other end, the score was never going to be near enough to provide a challenging total.
Only a last-wicket stand between Rhone and Liam Lannen, including some lusty blows, got the total towards a batting point, but in the end falling just short.
Brentwood then showed what a flat wicket it was as they powered their way to the total with an unbeaten opening stand of 117, although they did ride their luck with a catch or two going down.
The win leaves Brentwood 23 points off the top of the table and an even closer bunched up league. They face second-placed South Woodford on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Brentwood Buccaneers moved into the Dukes Essex T20 finals day for the fourth consecutive year with a marginal 11-run win over Colchester on a wicket where spin ruled the roost.
The win takes the Buccaneers through to the finals day at Billericay on Sunday, July 28, where the side from Brentwood will be looking to make it three wins in three years.
The Buccaneers will originally take on Ardleigh Green at 11am, with the winners of that moving to the final later in the afternoon.
